711.42157M51/29
The Minister in Canada (Armour) to the Secretary of
State
No. 216
Ottawa, November 9, 1935.
[Received
November 18.]
Sir: I have the honor to refer to the
Department’s instruction No. 17 of August 26, 1935, (file No.
711.42157M51/24) relative to the report of the International Lake
Memphremagog Board of May 14, 1934, and instructing me to address a
note to the Canadian Government expressing the concurrence of the
American Government in the recommendations of the Board and
inquiring whether the Canadian Government approves them.
A note was accordingly sent to the Canadian Secretary of State for
External Affairs in this sense, and a reply has now been received
stating that the Canadian Government is also of the opinion that the
Board’s recommendations afford a satisfactory solution to the
Memphremagog problem and concurs therein.
It is of interest to note the precautionary measure adopted by the
Canadian Government, following submission of the Board’s report, in
securing full cooperation from the Dominion Textile Company in
carrying out the Board’s recommendations pending final definite
action upon the report by the two Governments.
I should like to point out, in connection with the Canadian reply,
the happy tone of the note, particularly of the concluding
paragraph. It may also be remarked that the note was signed
personally by the Prime Minister in his capacity of Secretary of
State for External Affairs and is the first received from Mackenzie
King since he took over the reins of office on October 23, 1935.
Copies of my note No. 35 of September 20, 1935, to the Canadian
Government,58 and
of the Canadian reply, note No. 124 of November 6, 1935, are
enclosed, since it is presumed that the notes may perhaps be
incorporated in the Executive Agreement Series.59 Should this be desired, I should appreciate
receiving in due course a draft of any announcement which it may be
proposed to make in making public the outcome of this matter. I have
been assured informally by the Canadian Government that there will
be no objection to the publication of its note in question; however,
I should appreciate the receipt of an instruction requesting me to
approach the Canadian Government in writing on this point. Should it
be decided to issue any public statement with regard to the
agreement reached between the two Governments I have no doubt the
Canadian authorities would appreciate simultaneous issuance
thereof.
Respectfully yours,
[Page 56]
[Enclosure]
The Canadian Prime Minister and Secretary of
State for External Affairs (Mackenzie King) to the American Minister (Armour)
No. 124
Ottawa, November 6, 1935.
Sir: I have the honour to refer to your
note No. 35, dated the 20th September, 1935, concerning the Lake
Memphremagog situation.
It is noted that the despatch briefly reviews the history of the
international problem which developed in the Lake Memphremagog
area and refers to the arrangements made by the governments of
Canada and the United States which resulted in the appointment
of the International Lake Memphremagog Board to report upon the
level or levels at which the Lake should be, as far as possible,
maintained.
The despatch finally refers to the report of the Board dated May
14, 1934, as submitted, quotes the Board’s recommendations as to
the principles which should govern the regulation of the flow of
water from the Lake, and expresses the concurrence of the
Government of the United States in the recommendations as a
satisfactory solution of the problem at the present time.
I may say that His Majesty’s government in Canada has given
careful consideration to the report of the Board and to the
recommendations contained therein, and is also of the opinion
that these recommendations afford a satisfactory solution to the
Memphremagog problem. The Government of Canada is, therefore,
pleased to join with the Government of the United States in
concurring in these recommendations.
It may be added that, immediately following its receipt of the
Board’s report, the Government of Canada, as a precautionary
measure designed to safeguard international interests, brought
the Board’s recommendations to the attention of the Dominion
Textile Company which operates the dam at the outlet of the
lake, and impressed upon the Company the necessity of exercising
the utmost care in seeing that the recommendations of the Board
were observed pending final definite action upon the report by
the two Governments. There has been wholehearted co-operation on
the part of the Company, and arrangements have been effected
whereby records of its operations are being filed with the
appropriate administrative office of the government, in order
that their effect upon lake levels may be checked.
The Government of the United States may be assured that every
effort will be made to ensure that the operation of the dam will
be carried on in accordance with the recommendations of the
Board.
The Government of Canada joins with the Government of the United
States in the expectation that the recommendations of the Board
will prove a satisfactory solution to the problem which has
been,
[Page 57]
to some extent, a
source of international irritation, and is confident that the
action taken will prevent the arising of any situation that
could be the subject of justifiable complaint.
Accept [etc.]
