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ment will give them satisfaction for the act committed by the British naval forces of a character to correspond with the frankly cordial relations existing between them. Nothing could be more deeply deplored by the Chilean Government than that the traditional bonds of friendship uniting the two peoples, which my Government value so highly, and upon which they base so many hopes of new and mutual benefits, should fail to derive on this occasion additional strength from the test to which circumstances have subjected them.

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His Majesty's Government, after receiving the communication from the Chilean Government of the 26th March, deeply regret that any misunderstanding should have arisen which should be a cause of complaint to the Chilean Government; and, on the facts as stated in the communication made to them, they are prepared to offer a full and ample apology to the Chilean Government.

His Majesty's Government, before receiving the communication from the Chilean Government, could only conjecture the actual facts at the time when the Dresden was discovered by the British squadron; and even now they are not in possession of a full account of his action by the captain of the Glasgow. Such information as they have points to the fact that the Dresden had not accepted internment, and still had her colors flying and her guns trained. If this was so, and if there were no means available on the spot and at the moment for enforcing the decision of the Chilean authorities to intern the Dresden, she might obviously, had not the British ships taken action, have escaped again to attack British commerce. It is believed that the island where the Dresden had taken refuge is not connected with the mainland by cable. In these circumstances, if the Dresden still had her colors flying and her guns trained, the captain of the Glasgow probably assumed, especially in view of the past action of the Dresden, that she was defying the Chilean authorities and abusing Chilean neutrality, and was only awaiting a favorable opportunity to sally out and attack British commerce again.

If these really were the circumstances, His Majesty's Government cannot but feel that they explain the action taken by the captain of the British ship; but, in view of the length of time that it may take to clear up all the circumstances and of the communication that the Chilean Government have made of the view that they take from the information they have of the circumstances, His Majesty's Government do not wish to qualify the apology that they now present to the Chilean Government. I have, etc., E. GREY.

EXCHANGE OF NOTES BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF GREAT BRITAIN AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE FRENCH REPUBLIC RESPECTING THE TRADE IN ARMS AND AMMUNITION AT MUSCAT

Sir,

London, February 4, 1914
No. 1

1

M. Cambon to Sir Edward Grey

[Translation]

FRENCH EMBASSY, London, February 4, 1914.

Your Excellency has repeatedly pointed out to me the serious inconveniences resulting from the organization of the traffic in arms and munitions of war in the Sultanate of Muscat, adjoining His Majesty's Indian Empire.

My Government, desirous of strengthening the good relations which so happily exist between France and Great Britain, have wished to give fresh proof of the feelings which inspire them, and have instructed me to declare to your Excellency that they renounce their claims, in favor of their nationals, to the benefit of the privileges and immunities conferred on these latter by the Franco-Muscat Treaty of the 17th November, 1844, in cases where these privileges and immunities would hinder the application of regulations and laws intended to prevent contraband traffic in arms and munitions of war in the Sultanate of Muscat.

Consequent upon this decision, the French consul at Muscat will receive immediately the necessary instructions to inform the Sultan

1 Great Britain, Treaty Series, 1914, No. 9.

that the French Government cease to oppose the application to their nationals of the Muscat edict of the 4th June, 1912, which was put into force on the 12th September following, and which dealt with the trade. in arms and munitions of war.

I propose further that our two Governments should concert together with regard to any modification or amendment which the Sultan of Muscat may wish to make in the regulations referred to above, and I can assure your Excellency that, under these conditions, the Government of the Republic, after having examined such modifications or amendments and ascertained that they deal only with the trade in arms and munitions of war in the Sultanate, will not oppose their application to their nationals in Muscat.

It is to be understood that French nationals in Muscat will be placed on the same footing as subjects of His Majesty the King as regards the trade in arms and munitions of war.

Your Excellency knows how strongly public opinion in France is opposed to the renunciation of any rights or immunities conferred on French nationals abroad by treaties and by tradition; the Government of the Republic have disregarded this opposition, because they have wished to give Great Britain a proof of their firm friendship, and also because they have become convinced of the dangers which would be presented by the organization of contraband of war in regions adjoining the distant possessions of the European Powers. It is possible that the illicit traffic in arms and munitions of war may find it advantageous to establish itself in regions adjoining French colonies or protectorates, and my Government do not doubt that the British Government will, in similar circumstances, lend their aid for the suppression of this traffic. I should be glad if your Excellency would be so good as to give me this

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I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Excellency's note of to-day's date stating that the French Government, in view of

the relations of cordial friendship at present happily existing between Great Britain and France, renounce the right of invoking, on behalf of French citizens and protected persons, the privileges conferred on these persons by the Treaty of 1844 between France and Muscat, in so far as such privileges and immunities are opposed to the regulations and laws for the prevention of the contraband trade in arms and ammunition in the dominions of the Imaum of Muscat.

I note that, in pursuance of this decision, the French consul at Muscat will immediately receive the necessary instructions to declare to the Sultan that the French Government will no longer oppose the application to French nationals of the Sultan's edict of the 4th June, 1912, respecting the trade in arms and ammunition.

I further have the honor to inform your Excellency that His Majesty's Government agree to the proposal that the two Governments shall concert together with regard to any modification or amendment which the Sultan of Muscat may desire to introduce into the abovementioned regulations in order that the French Government, having satisfied themselves by examination that such modifications or amendments relate solely to the trade in arms and ammunition in the Sultanate, may give their consent to the application of such modifications or amendments to their nationals at Muscat. It is of course understood that His Majesty's Government will use their influence with the Sultan of Muscat to ensure that French nationals in the Sultanate will, as regards the trade in arms and ammunition, receive in all respects the same treatment as British subjects and protected persons.

His Majesty's Government appreciate very highly the sentiments which have animated the French Government in their consideration of the question of the trade in arms and ammunition at Muscat, and rendered possible the understanding defined in this exchange of notes. They fully agree with the views held by the French Government as to the dangers which may result from the organization of a contraband trade in war material in the neighborhood of distant possessions of European Powers, and I am happy to be able to assure your Excellency that, in the event of such an illicit trade being established in the neighborhood of any of the French colonies or protectorates, His Majesty's Government will be prepared to assist, in so far as they may be in a position to do so, in the suppression of the traffic.

I have, &c.

E. GREY.

Sir,

No. 3

Sir Edward Grey to Sir F. Bertie

FOREIGN OFFICE, February 4, 1914.

After I had exchanged with the French Ambassador to-day the notes about Muscat he made verbally the following declaration to me:

TRANSLATION

"The French Government will not decline to examine any new regulation dealing with the arms trade at Muscat, even though such regulation may involve customs measures in territorial waters, on the express condition that the exterritorial rights of French citizens at Muscat and the jurisdiction of French consuls shall be respected. The French Government could not concur in a procedure involving the right of search."

On this I observed that the rights of the Treaty of 1844 would be respected, and were applicable on sea as on land. I am, &c.

E. GREY.

MEMORANDUM OF THE GERMAN GOVERNMENT IN REGARD TO INCIDENTS ALLEGED TO HAVE ATTENDED THE DESTRUCTION OF A GERMAN SUBMARINE AND ITS CREW BY THE BRITISH AUXILIARY CRUISER "BARALONG" ON AUGUST 19, 1915, AND REPLY OF THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT THERETO1

No. 1

Mr. Page, United States Ambassador in London, to Sir Edward Grey

The American Ambassador presents his compliments to His Majesty's Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, and has the honor to transmit herewith a copy of a memorandum delivered by the German Government to the Ambassador at Berlin, from whom Mr. Page has received it direct, relating to the alleged destruction off the coast of Ireland on the 19th August last of a German submarine and its crew by a vessel described as His Britannic Majesty's auxiliary cruiser Baralong.

1

1 British Parliamentary Papers, Miscellaneous No. 1 (1916). [Cd. 8144.]

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