711.5612/23a
The Secretary of State to the Netherland Minister (De Graeff)
Sir: I have the honor to refer to your recent call at the Department, at which time you inquired whether the United States would be disposed to extend for the further period of five years the Convention of Arbitration concluded between the United States and the Netherlands, May 2, 1908, and extended by the operation of renewal agreements until March 25 next.
I am happy to assure you that the United States is ready to enter into a renewal agreement with the following understanding. On February 24 last the President proposed to the Senate2 that it consent under certain stated conditions to the adhesion by the United States to the Protocol of December 16, 1920, under which the Permanent Court of International Justice has been created at The Hague. In the event that the Senate gives its assent to the proposal, this Government would wish to be able to rely upon a previous assurance that the Government of the Netherlands would not be averse to considering a modification of the convention of arbitration to be renewed, or the making of a separate agreement, providing for the reference of disputes mentioned in the Convention to the Permanent Court of International Justice.
Upon the assurance from yourself that your Government is disposed to renew the arbitration convention now existing between the two countries with such an understanding, I shall at once arrange to have the draft of a convention prepared for your consideration and send you in advance a copy of my proposed note; and I should be glad in that event to receive a copy of your Government’s proposed reply with respect to the understanding.
Accept [etc.]