511.4A6/372: Telegram
The Chairman of the American Delegation (Caldwell) to the Acting Secretary of State
[Received July 4—9 a.m.]
36. Department’s 15, July 3, 3 p.m. Conference may include in an annex to new convention the parts of the Geneva Convention referred to in my 34, July 2, 10 a.m., with necessary alterations.
Delegation finds none of the ideas contained in these chapters of the convention inimical to our interests after minor alterations are made. The delegation however does not feel competent to make recommendation as to questions of policy involving signature to a convention leaving certain action to the Council of the League of Nations such as provided in articles 8, 9, 10, 19, and 20 and more especially the sanctions provided for in article 24. Conference yesterday adopted following article:
“The High Contracting Parties shall communicate to one another through the Secretary General of the League of Nations the laws and regulations promulgated in order to give effect to the present convention and shall forward to the Secretary General of the League of Nations an annual report on the working of the convention in their territories in accordance with a form drawn up by the Advisory Committee on Traffic in Opium and Other Dangerous Drugs of the [Page 663] League of Nations and approved by the Council of the League of Nations”.
Delegation sees no objection to accepting this but abstained from voting and reserved position pending receipt of instructions from Department.