My Lord, No. 20. Mr. Adams to the Earl of Derby.-(Received June 22.) Berlin, June 20, 1874. I ASKED Herr von Bülow this afternoon whether he had anything further to communicate to me respecting the Brussels Conference. His Excellency stated that since he had seen me last the Government had determined, owing to the great extent of subjects to be discussed, to send one or two professors ("savants") with the military Commissioner. They could not, however, follow the example of some other Governments by investing their Envoys at Brussels with Plenipotentiary powers. They did not consider the matter to be a diplomatic one. I have, &c. (Signed) .F. O. ADAMS. No. 21. (Extract.) Sir A. Buchanan to the Earl of Derby.-(Received June 22.) Vienna, June 17, 1874. I HAD the honour to receive your Lordship's despatch of the 11th instant yesterday, and having previously arranged to see Count Andrassy in the course of the day, I availed myself of the opportunity to acquaint his Excellency with the wish of Her Majesty's Government to ascertain the views and intentions of the Government of AustroHungary respecting the scheme proposed by the Russian Government, for defining, by an International Convention, the laws and customs of war. Count Andrassy said that a military officer will be selected to attend it, together with Count Chotek. (Extract.) No. 22. Mr. Erskine to the Earl of Derby.—(Received June 21.) Stockholm, June 17, 1874. I HAVE this day had the honour of receiving your Lordship's despatch of the 11th instant, instructing me to ascertain the views and intentions of the Swedish Government with reference to the proposed Conference at Brussels in regard to the rules to be observed by belligerents. On the receipt of your Lordship's despatch above-mentioned, I saw General Bjornstjerna, and acquainted him with the instruction I had received. His Excellency said that after taking the opinion of the competent Swedish and Norwegian Military authorities, it had been decided that Colonel Staaff, the Military Attaché to the King's Legation at Paris, should attend the Conference and take part in its deliberations, corresponding directly with the Central Government. (Extract.) No. 23. Lord Lyons to the Earl of Derby.—(Received June 24.) Paris, June 23, 1874. WITH reference to your Lordship's despatch of the 11th instant, and of my despatch of the 15th instant, I have the honour to inform your Lordship that I had yesterday some conversation with the Duc Decazes with regard to the views of the French Government on the proposal of Russia that a Conference be held at Brussels to consider a Code of regulations to be observed by belligerents. The Duc Decazes said that, when a proposal was made by the Emperor of Russia, in which His Majesty was understood to take a personal interest, the French Government could not but render homage to the benevolent motives of this great Sovereign. He had, therefore, felt bound to agree at once, without any hesitation, to the proposal. As regarded the choice of delegates, he thought that it would be prudent to appoint one diplomatist and one military man. (Extract.) No. 24. Mr. Lumley to the Earl of Derby.-(Received June 24.) Brussels, June 23, 1874. ON the receipt of your Lordship's despatch of the 11th instant, I requested Count Lynden to be good enough to inform me what action the Belgian Government was prepared to take with reference to the Conference proposed to be held at Brussels for remodelling the military code of nations. Count Lynden states that it is the intention of the Belgian Government to take part in the Congress which it is proposed should meet at Brussels on the 27th July. My Lord, No. 25. Mr. Pakenham to the Earl of Derby.-(Received June 25.) Copenhagen, June 22, 1874. WITH reference to your Lordship's despatch of the 11th instant, in the matter of a Conference proposed to be held at Brussels on the subject of the treatment of prisoners of war, and an amended code of the usages thereof, I have the honour to transmit herewith copy of the reply of the Danish Minister for Foreign Affairs to a note which I addressed to him on the subject. As your Lordship will observe, the Government of Denmark are inclined to send two Commissioners to the proposed Conference, one presumably to discuss affairs purely military, and the other prepared to consider the subject generally. Copy of my note on the subject is inclosed. J'AI eu l'honneur de recevoir la lettre que vous avez bien voulu m'adresser le 18 du courant pour m'informer que votre Gouvernement désire savoir comment le Gouvernement du Roi, mon auguste Souverain, envisage la proposition émanée de celui de Sa Majesté l'Empereur de Russie, tendant à faire envoyer à Bruxelles des délégués des autres Gouvernements, pour étudier un projet de Convention Internationale concernant les lois et coutumes de la guerre, et pour tâcher de préparer par leurs délibérations le terrain d'une entente générale à ce sujet. En réponse à cette demande je m'empresse de vous prévenir, Monsieur, que le Gouvernement du Roi, dès la première ouverture qui lui a été faite à cet égard par le Gouvernement Russe, a été parfaitement disposé à reconnaître l'importance de l'initiative prise ainsi par la Russie, et qu'en conséquence il n'a point hésité à se déclarer prêt à prendre part à la Conférence projetée. Sur ce point nous n'avons donc pas eu de doutes par contre, il nous a semblé assez difficile de décider s'il y aurait lieu de choisir notre délégué éventuel dans l'ordre civil ou bien dans l'ordre militaire, et voilà sur quoi nous. avons tâché nous-mêmes de pressentir au préalable les vues d'autres Gouvernements. Seule ; Cette question n'ayant pas encore été décidée par le Gouvernement du Roi, je regrette beaucoup de ne pas pouvoir vous en dire rien de précis à l'heure qu'il est. ment, pour ce qui me concerne personnellement, je puis ajouter que j'incline à considérerl'importance de la proposition susdite comme assez grande pour justifier, au besoin, l'envoi éventuel de deux délégués, savoir, un militaire et un autre théoriquement versé dans les questions du droit des gens qui vont être discutées dans la Conférence. Veuillez, &c. (Signé) B. RÖSENORN-LEHN. (Translation.) Copenhagen, June 23, 1874. Sir, I HAVE had the honour to receive the letter which you addressed to me on the 18th instant, informing me that your Government were anxious to know how the Government of the King, my august Sovereign, views the proposal proceeding from the Cabinet of the Emperor of Russia for assembling Delegates from other Governments at Brussels for the purpose of studying a project for an International Convention respecting the laws and customs of war, and for endeavouring to prepare by their deliberations the foundation for a general agreement on this subject. In answer to this request, I hasten to inform you that the Government of the King, from the first moment the Russian Government broached the subject to them, were quite ready to recognize the importance of the initiative thus taken by Russia, and, consequently, had no hesitation in declaring themselves willing to take part in the proposed Conference. On this point we have had no misgivings; but, on the other hand, it has appeared to us difficult to decide whether our Delegate to be eventually chosen should be a civil functionary or a military man; and on this point we have ourselves endeavoured to ascertain, in the first place, the intentions of other Governments. This question having not yet been decided by the Government of the King, I much regret that I cannot at the present moment give you any precise information on the subject, I may be allowed to add, however, as far as I am personally concerned, that I am inclined to consider that the above-mentioned question is of sufficient importance to warrant, in case of need, the appointment of two Delegates that, is to say, a military man and a second representative theoretically skilled in the questions of international law, which are to be discussed in the Conference. I have, &c. (Signed) B. RÖSENORN-LEHN. Inclosure 2 in No. 25. Mr. Pakenham to Baron Rosenörn-Lehn. M. le Ministre, Copenhagen, June 18, 1874. YOUR Excellency will probably be already aware that a project for an International Convention concerning the laws and usages of war has been recently put forward by the Government of His Imperial Majesty the Czar. This project, although dealing with the subject of the treatment of prisoners of war, comprises in fact a code of rules to be observed by belligerents in the various circumstances arising out of a state of war. It has been proposed to hold a Conference on this subject at Brussels in the course of next month, and as Her Majesty's Government are desirous of ascertaining, as far as possible, what may be the views of the Danish Government in this matter, I should feel much obliged if you would kindly cause me to be furnished with such information as may enable me to transmit the same to Her Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs by an early opportunity. No. 26. I avail, &c. (Extract.) Mr. Herries to the Earl of Derby.-(Received Jane 27.) Rome, June 23, 1874. I HAD the honour to receive yesterday morning, by the messenger O'Brien, your Lordship's despatch of the 11th instant, with its inclosure, on the subject of the Russian project of an International Convention concerning the laws and customs of war, and I took, this afternoon, the earliest opportunity of asking M. Visconti Venosta to make me acquainted with the views and intentions of the Italian Government respecting this scheme, and the proposed Conference at Brussels. His Excellency told me that Italy would be represented at the Conference, but in what manner he was unable to say, no final decision thereupon having yet been come to. He thought it probable, however, that one of the Italian Representatives would be a general officer. (Extract.) St. Petersburgh, June 23, 1874. M. DE WESTMANN informed me to-day that nearly all the Powers to whom an invitation had been addressed by the Imperial Government, had agreed to be represented at the proposed Conference to be held at Brussels for the amelioration of the condition of prisoners of war. My Lord, No. 28. The Earl of Derby to Lord A. Loftus. Foreign Office, July 4, 1874. HER Majesty's Government have considered, with all the attention which so important a proposal deserves, the project of the Emperor of Russia for a Conference to be held at Brussels to discuss the rules of military warfare. Her Majesty's Government highly appreciate the humane motives by which His Imperial Majesty is actuated in making this proposal, and concur in the earnest desire evinced by His Imperial Majesty to mitigate the horrors of war. At the same time, Her Majesty's Government are not convinced of the practical necessity for such a scheme for the guidance of military commanders in the field, and cannot but fear that, unless the discussion is conducted in the most guarded manner, the examination of any such project in a Conference at the present juncture may reopen causes of difference and lead to recrimination between some of the Delegates appointed to take part in it. Nor do Her Majesty's Government fully understand the scope which is intended to be given to the deliberations of the Delegates. The proposal of a Conference at Brussels was first made by the Society for the Amelioration of the Condition of Prisoners of War and was confined to that subject. Before, however, Her Majesty's Government had expressed any opinion on the expediency of accepting the invitation thus given, they were requested by the Russian Government to suspend their action in the matter until the draft project then in preparation by that Government was completed. This project has proved to contain a detailed scheme for the conduct of military operations, of which the treatment of prisoners of war occupies but a small part. Prince Gortchakow, moreover, in his despatch of the 17th April, states that "le projet que nous soumettons à l'examen des Cabinets n'est qu'un point de départ pour les délibérations ultérieures qui, nous aimons à l'espérer, prépareront le terrain d'une entente générale." That Her Majesty's Government would be happy to join with the Government of the Emperor of Russia in any measure for the prevention of unnecessary suffering is shown by Great Britain having already, with that object, acceded to the Declarations relating to the Geneva Cross and the use of explosive bullets; and Her Majesty's Government would not, therefore, now be prepared to take exception to a discussion in a Conference of Delegates of such details of warlike operations in the field as it might be found useful and practicable to advise upon; but Her Majesty's Government are firmly determined not to enter into any discussion of the rules of international law by which the relations of belligerents are guided, or to undertake any new obligations or engagements of any kind in regard to general principles. Her Majesty's Government deem it to be of great importance that they should frankly make this statement at the outset, and this has become the more necessary since rumours are current that one Government at least has contemplated sending a naval delegate to the Conference, under the impression, apparently, that naval matters may be introduced as subjects of consideration and discussion. Her Majesty's Government feel assured that such an extension of the scope of the Conference would be fatal to any agreement on the particular details of military regulations which it is the desire of the Emperor of Russia to have considered, and they are certain, therefore, that in protesting against it in anticipation, they will only be acting in accordance with His Imperial Majesty's views and wishes for a successful issue to the Conference which he has proposed should be assembled. I have accordingly to request your Excellency to state to the Russian Government that, before agreeing to send a Delegate to the Conference, Her Majesty's Government must request the most positive and distinct assurance from that Government, as well as from the Governments of all the Powers invited to take part in the Conference, that their Delegates at the Conference shall be instructed to confine themselves to the consideration of details of military operations of the nature of those dealt with in the project of the Russian Government, and shall not entertain, in any shape, directly or indirectly, anything relating to maritime operations or naval warfare. I have to add that this despatch will be communicated to the Governments of all the Powers invited to take part in the Conference, and a similar assurance requested from each of them. Your Excellency will read this despatch to Prince Gortchakow, or whoever may be acting for him in his absence, and furnish him with a copy of it. The Earl of Derby to Her Majesty's Representatives in Countries invited to take part in the Brussels Conference. My Lord, Foreign Office, July 4, 1874. I TRANSMIT to herewith a copy of a despatch which I hav addressed to Her Majesty's Ambassador at St. Petersburgh respecting the proposed Conference at Brussels, and I have to instruct you to communicate it to the Government to which you are accredited, and request to be informed whether that Government will give a similar assurance to that which Her Majesty's Government have requested of the Russian Government, that their Delegates at the Conference shall be instructed to confine themselves to the consideration of details of military operations of the nature of those dealt with in the project of the Russian Government, and shall not entertain in any shape, directly or indirectly, anything relating to maritime operations or naval warfare. I have to add that you should obtain this assurance, should the Government be willing to give it, in writing. No. 30. The Earl of Derby to Lord A. Loftus. I am, &c. My Lord, Foreign Office, July 4, 1874. WITH reference to my despatch of the 4th instant, I transmit to your Excellency herewith, for your information, a copy of the instructions which I have addressed to Her Majesty's Representatives in the countries invited to take part in the Brussels Conference on the Rules of Military Warfare. No. 31. I am, &c. (Signed) DERBY. Sir, The Earl of Derby to Mr. Lumley. Foreign Office, July 4, 1874. WITH reference to my despatch of this day's date, I have to state to you that, should Her Majesty's Government, upon receiving satisfactory assurances, consent to take part in the proposed Conference at Brussels on the rules of military warfare, they would confine themselves to sending a military officer as delegate who would not be invested with any Plenipotentiary powers, and who would simply report the proceedings, reserving to Her Majesty's Government entire liberty of action in regard to them. You will, no doubt, readily understand that, in adopting this course, Her Majesty's |