CO129-416 - Public Offices - 1914 — Page 635

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C.O.

CONFIDENTIAL.

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628

RECO

REG 24 JUN 14

British Opium Delegates to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received June 17, 10 P.M.)

(No. 2.) R.

OUR telegram No. 1

The Hague, June 17, 1914. (June 17, 3:30 P.M.)

At yesterday's conference, indisposition of Germany to proceed to ratification of convention constituted chief obstacle to progress. Since convention was amended to meet her special views, and since both at first and second conference she indicated that she would not insist on all the Powers signing convention before proceeding to ratification, this obstacle was unexpected. Would it be possible to approach German Government with a view to continuing harmonious co-operation now that Great Britain has announced intention to ratify?

It must be remembered that coming into force of convention is not same thing as putting in force legislation proceeding from convention, date of which it is specifically provided by convention is to be matter of agreement between the Powers.

Difficulty of Germany was not clear from statement made by delegate yesterday. It would be most desirable to secure promise from Germany to ratify forthwith, failing which it would serve useful purpose if her reasons could be stated with a view to removing objections to ratification by her as a signatory Power, as was done by last conference in removing objections to sign by invitation of the Powers.

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