A.—2.

Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, whose authority extends throughout all the territories of the former Russian Empire, with the exception of those which have been severed with the consent of the Soviet Government and in which independent States have been constituted. 2. Expressing the will of the Second Congress of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics which proclaimed that friendly co-operation between the peoples of Great Britain and the Soviet Union remained one of the first cares of the Government of the Union, the latter declares its readiness to discuss and settle in a friendly spirit all questions arising directly or indirectly out of the fact of recognition. 3. Consequently my Government is prepared to arrive at an understanding with the British Government to replace those former treaties which have either been denounced or have lost their juridical force as a result of events during or after the war. 4. Eor this purpose the Government of the Soviet Union is prepared to send to London in the immediate future representatives with full powers whose tasks will also include the settlement of outstanding claims and obligations of one party against the other, as well as the determination of means for the restoration of Russia's credit in Great Britain. .5. My Government, in full accord with the views of the Government of Great Britain, considers that mutual confidence and non-interference in internal affairs remain indispensable conditions for the strengthening and development of friendly relations between the two countries. 6. My Government has learned with pleasure of the appointment of Mr. Hodgson as British Charge d'Affaires in Moscow, and has instructed me to inform Your Excellency that, pending the appointment of an Ambassador, I have been given the status of Charge d'Affaires of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics at the Court of St. James. I take this opportunity of conveying to Your Excellency the assurances of my most distinguished consideration. C. Rakovsky.

No. 11. New Zealand, Dominions No. 84. My Lord, — Downing Street, 28th February, 1924. With reference to my Dominions No. 36, of the 28th January, I have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency, for the information of your Ministers, copies of a Treaty Series paper, No. 8 of 1924 (Cmd. 2044), containing an agreement between the United Kingdom and the United States of America for the renewal of the Arbitration Convention between the two countries of 4th April, 1908, together with notes exchanged at the time of signature at Washington, on the 23rd June, 1923. I have, &c., J. H. THOMAS. Governor-General His Excellency the Right Hon. Viscount Jellicoe, G.C.8., 0.M., G.C.V.0., &c.

Enclosure. Agreement between the United Kingdom and the United States of America for the Renewal of the Arbitration Convention between the Two Countries of 4th April, 1908, together with Notes exchanged at the Time of Signature. Signed at Washington, 23rd June, 1923. Ratifications exchanged at Washington, 29th December, 1923. His Majesty the King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and of the British Dominions beyond the Seas, Emperor of India, and the President of the United States of America, being desirous of extending for another five years the period during which the Arbitration Convention concluded between them on the 4th April, 1908, extended by the agreement concluded between the two Governments on the 31st May, 1913, and further extended by the agreement concluded between the two Governments on the 3rd June, 1918, shall remain in force, have respectively authorized the undersigned—to wit, Sir Auckland Geddes, G.C.M.G., K.C.8., His Britannic Majesty's Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the United States, and Charles Evans Hughes, Secretary of State of the United States —to conclude the following articles : — Article 1. The Convention of Arbitration of the 4th April, 1908, between the Government of His Majesty the King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and of the British Dominions beyond the Seas, Emperor of India, and the Government of the United States of America, the duration of which bv Article 4 thereof was fixed at a period of five years from the date of the exchange of ratifications of the said Convention on the 4th June, 1908, which period by the agreement of the 31st May, 1913, between the two Governments was extended for five years from the 4th June, 1913, and was extended by the agreement between them of the 3rd June, 1918, for the further period of five years from the 4th June, 1918, is hereby extended and continued in force for the further period of five years from the 4th June, 1923.

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