GENERAL RATIFICATION BY THE UNITED STATES OF THE CONVENTION RELATING TO THE LIQUOR Traffic in Africa, Signed at Saint Germain-en-Laye, SepteMBER 10, 1919 Date and number 1928 May 22 Subject To President Coolidge Convention Signed at Saint Germain-en-Laye, September 10, For the restriction of the liquor traffic in the African terri- Page 426 429 CONVENTION SIGNED AT SAINT GERMAIN-EN-LAYE, SEPTEMBER 10, 1919, REVISING THE GENERAL ACT OF BERLIN OF 1885 And the GENERAL ACT AND DECLARATION OF BRUSSELS OF 1890 Recommendation that convention signed at Saint Germain- Convention Signed at Saint Germain-en-Laye, September 10, Revising the general act of Berlin of 1885 and the general (Bracketed note: Adherence advised by the Senate on April 3 (legislative day of April 2), 1930, with reservation.) 433 437 GENERAL INTEREST OF THE UNITED STATES IN EFFORTS OF THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS TO CONTROL THE TRAFFIC IN NARCOTIC DRUGS Exposition of policy of the U. S. Government with regard to the control of the traffic in narcotic drugs. Mar. 27 446 Sept. 7 (89) Sept. 29 (89) Oct. 18 Dec. 8 (106) Dec. 15 To Four American Insurance Companies Hope that companies will join the other 72 members of the American Institute of Marine Underwriters in voluntarily including in their policies the so-called "dangerous drug clause" which provides that no losses will be paid on narcotic shipments not covered by import permits from countries to which consigned or by export permits from countries from which exported. (Footnote: Information that the four replies received indicated no agreement as to a new clause in policies.) From the Minister in Switzerland (tel.) League communication of September 5 (text printed) invit- Note for League (text printed) advising of the U. S. Govern- From the Minister in Switzerland League communication of October 16 (text printed), inquiring whether the U. S. Government would permit a commission of inquiry into use of opium prepared for smoking to visit Philippine Islands to study system of prohibition in operation there, and stating understanding that commission members will be chosen from nations not directly concerned in problem to be investigated. To the Minister in Switzerland (tel.) Instructions to inform League that commission will be made welcome in the Philippines. Information that the U. S. Government, in view of inability to take part in electing the Permanent Central Board, could not recommend or endorse any American for a board position; instructions to inform League that matter is one in regard to which Department would prefer to express no opinion. From the Consul at Geneva (tel.) Appointment by League Council of Mr. Herbert L. May of 448 448 449 452 452 GENERAL INTEREST OF THE UNITED STATES IN EFFORTS OF THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS TO CONTROL THE TRAFFIC IN NARCOTIC DRUGS-Continued Date and number Subject Page 1928 Dec. 15 (121) From the Minister in Switzerland (tel.) Memorandum adopted by League Council, December 14 (text printed), stating regret that U. S. Government does not find it possible to accept its invitation to participate in selection of the board, setting forth observations on U. S. criticisms of Geneva opium convention, and expressing hope that U. S. Government will continue to extend the practical collaboration which now exists. (Footnote: Announcement by Secretary in telegram No. 111 of December 29, to the Minister in Switzerland, that Mr. John K. Caldwell, Consul General assigned to the Department, would "attend unofficially" the 12th session of the Advisory Committee on Traffic in Opium and Other Dangerous Drugs at Geneva, beginning January 17, 1929.) 452 PARTICIPATION OF THE UNITED STATES IN THE INTERNATIONAL TELEGRAPH CONFERENCE AT BRUSSELS, SEPTEMBER 10-22, 1928 1928 July 31 (74) Aug. 23 Sept. 10 (61) Undated [Rec'd Sept. 24] (7) To the Minister in Sweden Instructions to proceed to Brussels to act as chairman of the To American Diplomatic Officers in Mexico and Central and Information that the American delegation is being instructed For Harrison: Summary of information as to intentions of ence. From the American Delegation (tel.) Signature of protocol containing amendments to international telegraph convention regulations, effective October 1929; information that amended regulations will not increase cost of telegraphic communication. 455 457 458 458 GENERAL PROPOSED DISPOSITION OF PROPERTY HELD BY THE ALIEN PROPERTY CUSTODIAN Date and number Subject Page 1928 Jan. 4 (4/70) Jan. 17 From the Austrian Minister Request that bill dealing with return of sequestrated Austrian property include a clause reserving to Austrian owners of patents, copyrights, etc., the same rights which Congress is willing to grant to German citizens; opinion that question of determining claims of Austrian citizens should not interfere with passage of a bill for return of property; desire that Austrian views be brought to attention of Congress. (Footnote: Transmitted, January 9, 1928, to the House Committee on Ways and Means.) From the Swiss Minister Information that pending bill provides in effect that neutral corporations, in order to recover property still held by Alien Property Custodian, shall be obliged to file a consent that 20 percent of their property may be retained by the United States; request that appropriate steps be taken to assure complete release of Swiss properties. Jan. 23 To the Swiss Minister Jan. 23 (5) Jan. 24 Jan. 28 Feb. 13 (14) Information of the transmittal to Senate Finance Committee of Minister's note of January 17 concerning H. R. 7201. (Footnote: Enactment of H. R. 7201 on March 10, 1928.) From the Danish Minister Request that full and unqualified compensation be provided for seized German merchant vessels belonging to residents of North Slesvig, now Danish citizens; desire that request be communicated to Senate Committee. To Senator Reed Smoot Transmittal, for information of Senate Finance Committee, To the French Ambassador Information from Alien Property Custodian that claims of Alsace-Lorrainese for release of sequestrated property will not be affected by pending legislation, except that proof of pre-war ownership will not be required; observation that unless reciprocity is accorded by France to American citizens, the property cannot be returned under proposed act. Suggestion that data regarding Alsace-Lorrainese claims be supplied. From the Danish Minister Opinion that amendment recently adopted by Senate Committee granting limited and conditional compensation to owners of two specified vessels does not seem to accord the full and unqualified compensation to which the Danish owners seem entitled; suggestion that Committee be so advised in order that amendment may be worded to cover all Danish claims of this order and to provide full and unconditional compensation. 459 461 463 463 464 465 466 GENERAL PROPOSED DISPOSITION OF PROPERTY HELD BY THE ALIEN PROPERTY Date and number 1928 Apr. 19 (719/70) Apr. 24 (340/R) May 9 May 11 (881/70) May 12 (104/R) May 23 June 1 From the Austrian Minister Subject Observation that section 10 (d) of War Claims Settlement Act of 1928, providing that all property will be held to be owned by German Government if no claim has been filed with Alien Property Custodian within a year, is likely to deprive rightful Austrian owners of their property; desire for interpretation of other doubtful points; request that Alien Property Custodian be asked to furnish list of all unclaimed property recorded as Austrian-owned. From the Hungarian Minister Belief that section 10 (d) discriminates in favor of German Government as against Hungary; observation that procedure relating to deposit of unclaimed property in German account would appear to be injurious to Hungary; request for correct interpretation of section 10 (d). To the Austrian Minister Opinion of Alien Property Custodian that section 25 of the Trading With the Enemy Act as amended by section 10 (d) refers to German-owned property and does not relate to Austrian property, and that Austrian-owned property may be credited when the citizenship of the person is not stated or known; answers to other questions; inability of Alien Property Custodian to furnish list of Austrian owners at present but his willingness to cooperate in due course. From the Austrian Minister Understanding that statement regarding crediting of Austrian-owned property means that unclaimed Austrian-owned property may be credited to the Austrian special deposit account; desire to be advised as to the correctness of this interpretation. From the Austrian Minister Request for a statement by the competent authorities as to what conditions they would consider appropriate to issue the certificate provided for by War Claims Settlement Act in matter of release of Austrian property; opinion that sequestrated Austrian Government funds are sufficient to cover maximum possible awards against Austria. From the Alien Property Custodian Advice that there is no law authorizing transfer of unclaimed property of Austrian citizens to Austrian Government account, and that only Austrian property or that of a corporation wholly owned by Austrian Government may be transferred to that account. (Footnote: Transmittal to the Austrian Minister on June 15.) To the Hungarian Chargé Information that where Alien Property Custodian holds property to the credit of a citizen of Hungary, and the records of that office so disclose his citizenship, such property would not be credited to the German Government. Page 467 469 471 472 473 474 474 237576-42- -5 |