CO129-394 - Governor Sir May & Public Offices - 1912 [12] — Page 451

440

on behalf of any part of the Colonial Empire

other than the Far Eastern Colonies which

have already been specified, without con-

suiting the Governments of the Self-governing

Tominions and of the other Colonies.

3. He would suggest therefore that the

Self-governing Dominions and the other

Colonies should be placed on the same footing

as non-signatory Powers and should be consulted

with reference to adhesion to the Convention

when the Convention has been concluded in

its final form. If and when the Governments

in question signify their agreement in the

terms of the Convention, the British Minister

at the Hague can be instructed to sign the

Convention on their behalf and ultimately

the Convention can be ratified by His Majesty

on behalf of all those parts of the Empire which

have accepted it. Mr Harcourt suggests that

instructions to this effect should be sent

to the British delegates.

4.

Under this arrangement there will not

be the usual clause in the Convention empower-

ing any Self-governing Sominion to withdraw

subsequently upon the giving of notice. If

the Convention is recognised it will be neces-

sary to recognise it for the Empire as a

whole.

5.

Mr Harcourt however recognises that

this restriction of the liberty of withdrawal

is rendered necessary by the subject matter

of the Convention and by the attitude adopted

by other Powers, and in transmitting the

Convention to the Dominion Governments, he

will make the point clear, so that there will

be no risk of misunderstanding by the Dominions

if they accept the Convention.

6.

Mr Harcourt will be glad to receive

copies of the Convention as soon as possible

after signature, in order that they may be

communicated to the Governments of the

Dominions.

I am, etc.,

4.