13

A.—2

in its present form can conveniently be shortened. In order to obviate the inconvenience of introducing amendments'into the body of a Treaty already signed, it has been decided to bring about the necessary modifications by means of a Protocol which, like the Treaty itself, will be subject to ratification by the Constituent Assembly. Accordingly a Protocol has now in\the following terms :— "It is understood between the High Contracting Parties that, notwithstanding the provisions of Article 18, the present Treaty shall terminate upon Iraq becoming a member of the League of Nations, and in any case, not later than four years from the ratification of peace with Turkey. Nothing in this Protocol shall prevent a fresh agreement from being concluded with a view to regulate the subsequent relations between the High Contracting Parties ; and negotiations for that object shall be entered into between them before the expiration of the above period." It will be noticed that under this Protocol the Treaty in its present form is to terminate on the entry of Iraq into the League of Nations, or in four years, whichever may be earlier. . The position of Iraq as regards the League is that when the Treaty has been ratified His Britannic Majesty will be bound under Article 6 to use his good offices to secure the admission of Iraq to membership of the League of Nations as soon as possible. His Majesty's Government will be in a position to take this step on the fulfilment of the two following essential conditions—namely, the delimitation of the frontiers of Iraq and the establishment of a stable Government in accordance with the organic law. There is every reason to hope that both "these conditions will be fulfilled at no distant date. The effect of these arrangements is that, if the conditions are fulfilled, His Majesty's Government will be in a position to support an application by Iraq for membership of the League of Nations, which implies full and complete independence, at any time within a maximum of four years from the ratification of peace with Turkey. I should like to take this opportunity of expressing the deep appreciation of His Majesty's Government for the distinguished and devoted services of Sir Percy Cox and all. the officers who have so loyally co-operated with him in circumstances of great difficulty, and, in some cases in the past, of personal danger. 1 feel sure that the House will agree that the step which has been taken to-day is a fitting culmination of the great work which Sir Percy Cox has performed during thirty-nine years in the service of the Crown. *****

No. 18. New Zealand, Dominions No. 239. My Lord, — Downing Street, 4th July, 1923. With reference to my despatch, Dominions No. 44, of the sth February, I have the honour to request Your Excellency to imforrh your Ministers that His Majesty's Government have had under examination the Revised Draft Convention and Regulations of the Universal Electrical Communications Union, and more particularly those. articles of the Draft Convention—namely, the last section of Article 21, and Articles 22 and 24 —which relate to the exercise of votes in Conferences and to accessions to the Convention. 2. His Majesty's Government are of opinion that these three articles need revision in certain important particulars, and they propose to suggest that the articles should be replaced by new articles, of which drafts are enclosed. 3. It is proposed also that the revised articles shall be accompanied by the enclosed note, explanatory of the object of the revision, which is, as your Ministers will observe, to ensure that any Government on whose behalf a separate signature has been affixed to the Convention, or an individual notice of accession is given under the article designated B, shall be regarded as a Contracting Government and as such entitled to a vote at general Conferences of delegates. I have, &c, DEVONSHIRE. Governor-General His Excellency the Right Hon. Viscount Jellicoe, G.C.8., 0.M., G.C.V.0., &c.

Enclosure. Articles concerning Votes and Accessions. A. General Conferences of delegates of the Contracting Governments shall take place periodically, each Conference fixing the place and time of the next meeting. In the deliberations each Contracting Government shall be entitled to one vote. B. Any non-signatory Government (whether of an independent State, Dominion, colony, possession, protectorate, or territory under mandate) which conducts its own telegraph administration, either