585.61B1/57
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Great Britain (Dawes)
Sir: On February 7, 1930, this Government received through the British Embassy at Washington an invitation to send delegates to an International Conference on Load Lines, to be held at London beginning May 20, 1930.
The invitation has been accepted and the Congress has authorized the appropriation of the sum of $20,000 for the expenses of participation. Instructions dealing with the fiscal matters of the delegation will be furnished you at a later date.
A list of the American delegates and technical advisers is enclosed,77 together with a copy of their instructions.78
As the members of the delegation have been given plenary powers to sign such instrument or instruments as may be drawn up at the Conference, and as the Department of State is not represented on the delegation, you are instructed to follow the proceedings of the Conference with care. It is suggested that an officer be detailed to cooperate with the delegation and that the Embassy keep itself informed with regard to any political questions which may arise during the progress of the negotiations. Should any such question appear likely to cause serious difficulty you may inform the Department and request specific instructions.
I am [etc.]