CO885-(15-16) — Page 284

29124

We have &c.,

R. B. FINLAY. EDWARD CARSON.

MY LORD,

• No alterations were made by the Law Officers.

No. 195Ʌ.

(TRINIDAD.)

LAW OFFICERS to FOREIGN OFFICE.

[Status of British Subjects resident in Venezuela.]

Royal Courts of Justice,

July 24, 1903. WE were honoured with Your Lordship's commands signified in Mr. Villiers's letter of the 11th June last, transmitting to us the accompanying papers with refer- ence to a Law passed by the Venezuelan Congress on the 16th of April, 1903, affecting the status of foreigners resident in Venezuela, and requesting us to favour Your Lordship with our opinion on the following points:-

1. Whether a general remonstrance should be made against the Venezuelan Law in question on the ground that it attempted to limit the protection which His Majesty's Government was entitled to afford to British subjects in Venezuela.

Whether the following provisions of the law would not, if enforced against British subjects be contrary to the stipulations of the Treaty of 1825:

2.

a. Article 8, requiring domiciled foreigners to make a declaration of their

submission to the Law.

b. Article 5, which exempted foreigners from military service only in the

case of revolution.

c. Article 14 prohibiting the issue of Exequaturs to Consuls engaged in trade. d. Article 15 relative to "Societies."

We have taken the matter into our consideration, and in obedience to Your Lordship's commands, have the honour to

Report,

1. That we think a general remonstrance should be made upon the ground stated, and also upon the ground that the Law taken as a whole is inconsistent with the Treaty rights existing between His Majesty's Government and Venezuela.

2. We think that the provisions referred to under heads (a) (b) and (d) would ⋅ be contrary to the stipulations of the Treaty of 1825. As regards (c) it is not in direct violation of the Treaty, but if in practice it prevents His Majesty's Govern- ment from taking advantage of the right to appoint Consuls, we think it may properly be made the subject of diplomatic representation.

We have, &c.,

R. B. FINLAY. EDWARD CARSON.

25 Wt661

8:03 D&S

[137,

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

C.O. 885

15 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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