The Secretary of State to Minister Wilson.
Washington, January 29, 1906.
Sir: The department is in receipt of a letter, dated December 30, 1905, from Judge William W. Goodrich, stating that he is advised by Mr. Franck, of Belgium, who was secretary of the international maritime conference held in Brussels last October, that “a third session will be held within a delay which shall not exceed one year, unless the different governments may see in the meantime their way to notify the Belgian Government by the diplomatic way their adhesion without further deliberation.”
The department has also received a letter, dated the 18th instant, from the Secretary of Commerce and Labor, from which I quote as follows:
In principle this department desires that Congress hereafter shall appropriate money for the adequate compensation as well as for the necessary expenses of all persons sent abroad as American representatives to international conferences upon matters relating especially to this department, such as the Brussels conference to promote uniform international rules in the settlement of eases of collision and salvage. This department, however, is uncertain whether there is to be a third session of the Brussels conference. I have the honor to suggest, therefore, that your department ascertain, if practicable, whether such a session is probable.
The department will be pleased if you will inform it as to this, in order that Congress may be asked to provide for expert American representation at the conference.
The Secretary of Commerce and Labor also desires to be advised as to what governments, if any, have adopted the conventions submitted by the October conference.
I am, etc.,