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with respect to International Tribunals, Neutrality, and other Matters as are necessary to enable certain Conventions to be carried into Effect," together with copies of an explanatory memorandum. I have, &c, L. HAECOUET. Governor His Excellency the Eight Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, K.C.M.G., M.V.0., &c.

Enclosure. Second Peace Conference (Conventions) Bill. memorandum. This Bill contains such provisions as are necessary to enable the Conventions drawn up at the Hague in 1907 (other than the Convention relative to the establishment of International Prize Courts) to be put in force. Clause 1. The object of this clause is to enable the attendance of witnesses and the production of documents to be enforced in connection with proceedings before a Commission of inquiry (see Article 23 of the Convention for the Specific Settlement of International Disputes) and before Courts of Arbitration (see Article 76 of the same Convention and Article 25 relative to the creation of a Judicial Arbitration Court). The powers under the clause are made exerciseably by the Secretary of State, but only if put in motion by the international tribunal. Clause 2. This clause proposes to enable His Majesty by Order in Council to regulate various matters so that the obligations imposed by the Conventions on neutrals may be enforced. The obligations covered are— (1.) By paragraph (a), the obligations imposed by Articles 17, 18, 19, and 20 of the Convention respecting the Rights and Duties of Neutral Powers in Maritime War (for which purpose the present provisions of the Foreign Enlistment Act, 1870, are insufficient). (2.) By paragraph (b), the obligation of interning foreign troops and crews of foreign vessels, imposed by Article 11 of the Convention respecting the Rights and Duties of Neutral Powers and Persons in War on Land, Article 15 of the Convention for the Adaptation of the Principles of the Geneva Convention to Maritime War, and Articles 3 and 21 of the Convention respecting the Rights and Duties of Neutral Powers in Maritime War. (3.) By paragraph (c), the obligation of prohibiting the erection and use of wireless-telegraph stations and apparatus imposed by Article 3 of the Convention respecting the Rights and Duties of Neutral Powers and Persons in War on Land, and Article 5 of the Convention respecting the Rights and Duties of Neutral Powers in Maritime War. Clause 3. This clause is necessary in order to carry into effect the provisions of Articles 6 and 21 of the Convention for the Adaptation of the Principles of the Geneva Convention to Maritime War, which prohibit the painting of ships other than hospital ships with the marks characteristic of hospital ships. Clause I^. This clause is inserted in view of the provisions of Article 12 of the Convention for the Adaptation of the Principles of the Geneva Convention to Maritime Warfare. A Bill to make such Amendments in the Law with respect to International Tribunals, Neutrality, and other Matters as are necessan' to enable certain Conventions to be carried into Effect. Whereas at the Second Peace Conference, held at The Hague in the year nineteen hundred and seven, various Conventions were drawn up, but it is desirable that the same should not be ratified by His Majesty the King until such amendments of the law as are in this Act contained have been made : Be it therefore enacted by the King's Most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows : — 1. (1.) A Secretary of State, on the application of any international tribunal constituted in accordance with any treaty or convention to which His Majesty is a party for inquiring into or settling any questions of an international character, shall, for the purpose of — (i.) Enforcing the attendance of witnesses before any such tribunal, wherever sitting, whether within or without His Majesty's dominions, or before any member of any such tribunal or any other person duly authorized to take evidence in connection with any proceedings before any such tribunal; and (ii.) Compelling the production of documents,