Subsequent to the signing of the referred-to convention at Paris, investigation into the factors involved in causing the dissemination of plague, cholera, and yellow fever made it evident that there were various features in that treaty that were wholly inadequate, and, furthermore, their application would not satisfactorily protect the ports of the United States against the introduction of such diseases from abroad. In view of these later developments of a sanitary nature, a new convention was drafted, containing modifications of the provisions of the sanitary convention signed at Paris on December 3, 1903, and was signed by the representatives of the various countries at Paris on January 17, 1912. This later convention was ratified by the United States Senate on February 19, 1913. It was assumed at the time that the various other nations that were party to the formation of this treaty would later ratify it, but in some instances this has not been done, the referred-to nations, particularly Italy, preferring that the sanitary convention signed at Paris in 1903 should still remain in force.

In view of the more modern conception on sanitary subjects, it is believed that the provisions of the sanitary convention of Paris of 1903 are distinctly inimical to the interest of this country, and steps should be taken to nullify that treaty. As a matter of fact, the actual operation of the sanitary convention of Paris of 1903 never proved to be of any advantage to the United States, and has on several occasions been utilized to the disadvantage of this Government. For instance, article 1 of that treaty provides that"each Government shall immediately notify the other Governments of the first appearance in its territory of authentic cases of plague or cholera. The notification and particulars contemplated in articles 1 and 2 shall be sent to the diplomatic or consular offices in the capital of the infected country."

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In so far as the records of the Public Health Bureau indicate, none of the countries signatory to the convention have complied with this obligation. On various occasions the local health authorities at some of the English ports have notified the consular officers of the occurrence of plague in the respective ports, but apparently even this method of conveying the information has not been observed in the continental countries of Europe. In 1911 there was a very severe epidemic of cholera throughout Italy, and several ports of that country have from time to time been infected with plague. There is no record that the Italian Government has ever made this information public, and this notwithstanding the fact that vessels arriving at ports of the United States in 1911 were repeatedly found to have cases of cholera on board.

The reservation made by this Government in the international sanitary convention made public February 26, 1913, made it possible for this Government to act for the prevention of the introduction of disease when reliable information is had of the occurrence of quarantinable diseases in foreign countries, and in this wise this country's interest does not suffer by reason of the nonnotification of such diseases by other countries. The department is of the opinion, in view of the foregoing, that it is infinitely better to have no international sanitary convention than to continue to abide by the terms of the Paris convention of 1903.

During the conference of the international office of public health in Paris, October, 1919, Dr. Cumming, the representative from this country, in introducing certain changes desired in the convention of January 17, 1912, explained the reasons for the reservations made by this Government in ratifying this convention, as a result of which a resolution was passed unanimously that the representatives of signatory powers advise the respective Governments (which include Great Britain and Italy) to ratify the convention of 1912. Until such ratification shall have been made the convention of 1903 appears to be binding upon this country, and in view of present conditions in Europe imposes upon this Government restrictions which the Surgeon General of the Public Health Service considers dangerous and which prevent the enforcement of measures necessary for the prevention of the introduction of diseases from abroad.

Respectfully,

D. F. HOUSTON, Secretary.

SENATE RESOLUTION, MAY 26, 1921.

Whereas the President, under date of May 17, 1920, transmitted a message to the Senate with a view to receiving the advice and consent thereof to the denunciation of the International Sanitary Convention signed at Paris December 3, 1903, and proclaimed May 18, 1907: Be it

Resolved (two-thirds of the Senators present concurring), That the Senate advise and consent to the denunciation of the said International Sanitary Convention, in conformity with the reservation with respect to denunciation contained in the procés verbal of the deposit of ratifications thereof, with regard to the powers which are not parties to the International Sanitary Convention, signed at Paris. January 17, 1912, and proclaimed December 11, 1920.

1906.

CONVENTION EXTENDING THE CONVENTION ON PECUNIARY CLAIMS, SIGNED AT MEXICO CITY, JANUARY 30, 1902.

Signed at Rio de Janeiro August 13, 1906; ratification advised by the Senate March 2, 1907; ratified by the President March 13, 1907; ratification of the United States deposited with the Government of Brazil April 23, 1907; proclaimed January 28, 1913.1

(Treaty Series, No. 574; 37-Statutes at Large, 1648.)

SOLE ARTICLE.

Their Excellencies, the Presidents of Ecuador, Paraguay, Bolivia, Colombia, Honduras, Panamá, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Peru, El Salvador, Costa Rica, the United States of Mexico, Guatemala,

The proclamation of the President of January 28, 1913, states that, in addition to the United States, the convention had been ratified by the Governments of Colombia, Cuba, Guatemala, the United States of Mexico, Chile, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Ecuador, Honduras, Panama, and Salvador."

Uruguay, the Argentine Republic, Nicaragua, the United States of Brazil, the United States of America, and Chile;

Desiring that their respective countries should be represented at the Third International American Conference, sent thereto, duly authorized to approve the recommendations, resolutions, conventions and treaties that they might deem convenient for the interests of America, the following Delegates:

Ecuador Dr. Emilio Arévalo; Olmedo Alfaro.

Paraguay-Manuel Gondra; Arsenio López Decoud; Gualberto Cardús y Huerta;

Bolivia.-Dr. Alberto Gutiérrez; Dr. Carlos Romero;

Colombia-Rafael Uribe Uribe; Dr. Guillermo Valencia;
Honduras-Fausto Dávila;

Panamá-Dr. José Domingo de Obaldía;

Cuba-Dr. Gonzalo de Quesada; Rafael Montóro; Dr. Antonio

González Lanuza;

Dominican Republic-E. C. Joubert;

Peru Dr. Eugenio Larrabure y Unánue; Dr. Antonio Miró Quesada; Dr. Mariano Cornejo;

El Salvador-Dr. Francisco A. Reyes;
Costa Rica-Dr. Ascensión Esquivel;

United States of Mexico-Dr. Francisco León de La Barra; Ricardo Molina-Hübbe; Ricardo García Granados;

Guatemala-Dr. Antonio Batres Jáuregui;

Uruguay-Luís Melian Lafinur; Dr. Antonio María Rodríguez; Dr. Gonzalo Ramírez;

Argentine Republic-Dr. J. V. González; Dr. José A. Terry; Dr. Eduardo L. Bidau;

Nicaragua-Luís F. Corea;

United States of Brazil-Dr. Joaquim Aurelio Nabuco de Araujo; Dr. Joaquim Francisco de Assis Brasil; Dr. Gastão da Cunha; Dr. Alfredo de Moraes Gomes Ferreira; Dr. João Pandiá Calogeras; Dr. Amaro Cavalcanti; Dr. Joaquim Xavier da Silveira; Dr. José P. da Graça Aranha; Antonio da Fontoura Xavier;

United States of America-William I. Buchanan; Dr. L. S. Rowe; A. J. Montague; Tulio Larrinaga; Dr. Paul S. Reinsch; Van Leer Polk.

Chili-Dr. Anselmo Hevia Riquelme; Joaquín Walker Martínez; Dr. Luís Antonio Vergara; Dr. Adolfo Guerrero;

Who, after having communicated to each other their respective full powers and found them to be in due and proper form, have agreed, to celebrate a Convention extending the Treaty on Pecuniary Claims celebrated in Mexico on the thirtieth of January nineteen hundred and two, in the following terms:

The High Contracting Parties, animated by the desire to extend the term of duration of the Treaty on pecuniary claims, signed at Mexico, January thirtieth, nineteen hundred and two, and believing that, under present conditions, the reasons underlying the third article of said Treaty have disappeared, have agreed upon the following:

Sole article. The treaty on pecuniary claims, signed at Mexico, January thirtieth, nineteen hundred and two,' shall continue in force,

1 See Vol. II, p. 2062.

with the exception of the third article, which is hereby abolished, until the thirty-first day of December, nineteen hundred and twelve, both for the nations which have already ratified it, and for those which may hereafter ratify it.

In testimony whereof the Plenipotentiaries and Delegates have signed the present Convention, and affixed the Seal of the Third International American Conference.

Made in the city of Rio de Janeiro the thirteenth of August nineteen hundred and six, in English, Portuguese, and Spanish, and deposited with the Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the United States of Brazil, in order that certified copies thereof be made, and sent through diplomatic channels to the signatory States.

For Ecuador:

CONVENTION ESTABLISHING THE STATUS OF NATURALIZED CITIZENS WHO AGAIN TAKE UP THEIR RESIDENCE IN THE COUNTRY OF THEIR ORIGIN.

Signed at Rio de Janerio August 13, 1906; ratification advised by the Senate January 13, 1908; ratified by the President January 16, 1909; ratification of the United States deposited with the Govern ment of Brazil February 25, 1908; proclaimed January 28, 1913.1

(Treaty Series, No. 575; 37 Statutes at Large, 1653.)

ARTICLES.

I. Renunciation of citizenship ac- III. Effect and duration of convention. quired by naturalization. IV. Method of denunciation.

II. Presumption as to intention not to return to country where naturalized.

Their Excellencies, the Presidents of Ecuador, Paraguay, Bolivia, Colombia, Honduras, Panamá, Cuba, Peru, El Salvador, Costa Rica, the United States of Mexico, Guatemala, Uruguay, the Argentine Republic, Nicaragua. the United States of Brazil, the United States of America, and Chili;

1 The proclamation of the President of January 28, 1913, states that, in addition to the United States, the convention had been ratified by the Governments of Colombia, Chile, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Brazil, the United States of Mexico, Ecuador, Honduras, Panama, Salvador, and the Argentine Republic."