Legation of Switzerland,
Washington, February 18,
1888. (Received February 20.)
[Inclosure.—Translation.]
The Swiss Federal
Council to Mr. Bayard.
Mr. Minister: We have the honor to inform
your excellency that the ratifications of the convention for the
establishment of an international union for the protection
[Page 1543]
of literary and artistic
works were exchanged at Berne on the 5th day of September, 1887, by
the representatives of Germany, Belgium, Spain, France, Great
Britain, Hayti, Italy, Switzerland, and Tunis.
According to the provisions of article 20 the convention went into
operation three months after the exchange of the ratifications; that
is to say, on the 5th day of December, 1887. The bureau of the
international union for the protection of literary and artistic
works, for which provision is made in article 16, has been in
operation since January 1, 1888. The union may, consequently, be
considered as regularly established.
According to article 18 of the convention countries that have not yet
become parties to the convention, but whose laws secure protection
of the rights which form the subject thereof, are to be allowed to
accede thereto at their request, and it will be sufficient for that
purpose for notice of their accession to be given in writing to the
Swiss federal council.
In bringing the foregoing to your excellency’s knowledge, we hope
your country will soon join the union for the protection of literary
and artistic works, the object of which is to protect beyond the
national frontiers rights which, in the majority of countries, are
regarded as sacred.
We avail, etc.
In the name of the Swiss Federal Council.
- Hertenstein,
The President of the
Confederation, - Ringier,
The Chancellor of the
Confederation.
