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THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 30TH OCTOBER, 1886.
981
But, on the other hand, it would certainly be a great gain to agree at present to a general understanding by which the higher principle, and, as it were, the natural right, should be proclaimed, that the author of a literary or artistic work, no matter what may be his nationality, or the place of of reproduction, ought to be protected everywhere equally with natives of each State.
This fundamental principle, which does not interfere with any existing Convention, once admitted, and the general Union constituted on this basis, it is beyond doubt that, under the influence of the exchange of views which would be established between the States of the Union, the startling differences which exist in international law would be, by degrees, removed, to give place to a more uniform and, consequently, more certain régime for authors and their legal representatives.
It is in this sense that the Swiss Federal Council considers it can press upon the Governments of all countries the request of the International Literary Association. If, as it is hoped, this initiative is favourably received, the Federal Council will give itself the honour and pleasure of inviting them to send Representatives, in the course of next year, to a Diplomatic Conference, which will examine as to what common steps can now be adopted in the existing state of the domestic legislation of each country or of international law.
The Federal Council hopes that your Government will be so good as to make known their views on this subject.
In the name of the Swiss Federal Council:
The President of the Confederation,
(Signed) L. RUCHONNET. The Chancellor of the Confederation,
(Signed) RINGIER
No. 2.
Sir,
Lord E. Fitzmaurice to Mr. Calcraft.
Foreign Office, December 20, 1883.
I AM directed by Earl Granville to transmit to you a copy of a note, with inclosures, from the Swiss Agent and Consul-General in London, inviting Her Majesty's Government to take part in a Diplomatic Conference on the subject of copyright, to be held at Berne during the course of next year; ;* and I am to request that you will move the Board of Trade to favour his Lordship with their views as to the expediency of this country being represented at the forthcoming Conference.
I am, &c.
(Signed)
EDMOND FITZMAURICE.
No. 3.
Sir,
A
Lord E. Fitzmaîtrice to M. Vernet.
Foreign Office, December 20, 1883.
I AM directed by Earl Granville to acknowledge the receipt of your note of the 17th instant, containing an invitation to Her Majesty's Government to take part in a Diplomatic Conference on the subject of copyright to be held at Berne during the course of next year; and I am, in reply, to state to you
that Her Majesty's Government will carefully consider the matter, and that his Lordship will inform you as soon as possible of the decision which may be arrived at.
I am,
&c.
EDMOND FITZMAURICE.
(Signed)
No. 4.
Sir,
Mr. Trevor to Lord E. Fitzmaurice.-(Received December 28.)
Board of Trade, London, December 27, 1883.
I AM directed by the Board of Trade to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 20th instant, in which, by direction of Earl Granville, you ask that his Lordship may have the opinion of the Board of Trade as to the expediency of this country being represented at a Conference designed to be held at Berne during the next year on the subject of international copyright, and, in reply, to state, for the information of the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, that the Board of Trade are of opinion that, in the present state of the Copyright question, it would not be advisable for Her Majesty's Government to be represented at the proposed Conference.
I have, &c. (Signed)
* No. L
C. CECIL TREVOR.
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