Sir M. H. Herbert to Mr. Loomis.
Washington, March 13, 1903.
Dear Mr. Loomis: In accordance with a request made to me by the Secretary of State on the 5th instant, I telegraphed to the Marquis of Lansdowne, suggesting that, in order to save trouble and the waste of time involved by two journeys across the Atlantic, the purpose of the second article of the Alaska convention might be considered as complied with by the appointment, on each side, of the commissioners and the presentation of the respective cases, and even of the counter cases, without an actual meeting in London.
I have now received a telegram from his lordship in reply, in which he states that there may be some difficulty in preparing the cases, evidence, etc., within the period of two months after the exchange of ratifications for which provision is made in article 2 of the convention.
I am accordingly directed to inquire whether the United States Government will agree to extend the period, either by an exchange of notes, or, if necessary, by a supplementary convention, until the 31st of May, or, better still, until June 30?
When the date is fixed, an arrangement could be made for the simultaneous exchange of all the documents without a formal meeting of the tribunal in London.
[Page 496]The members of the tribunal might later on themselves arrange the date of meeting after the counter cases and arguments have been presented.
Believe me, dear Mr. Loomis, yours, very truly,