File 1355/1917 Pt 5 'Arms Traffic Convention.' [‎223r] (440/721)

he Government of the Republic of Haiti regarding the Convention signed at
S int-Oermain on September 10 th, 1919 , relative to the traffic in arms.
Among the questions which have called for the attention of the League
of Nations, that relating to the traffic in arms and munitions has been of
particular interest to the Haitian Government, and it cannot remain indifferent
to any regulation capable of hastening an effective solution or merely of bring
ing us nearer the end in view. I need quote no further evidence than the
special regulations to which this traffic is subject in Haitian territory. Indeed,
Article 22 of the Law of September 4 th, 1905 , lays down the complete pro
hibition of the importation of firearms, cannon of every kind, percussion caps,
cartridges of all sorts, and munitions of all qualities, the Government reserv
ing the sole right of introducing them into the country.
When describing this state of affairs in a previous letter to the Secre
tary of the League, I considered it advisable to add that, since there is no
arms or munition factory An East India Company trading post. in Haiti, it was thought unecessary to prohibit their
export by any legal measures.
Guided by these considerations, and taking into account the fact that the
causes which led to the adoption of such measures have not entirely ceased
to exist, the Government of the Republic does not consider it expedient to
amend, under the terms of the Convention of September 10 th, 1919 , a special
enactment which, taken on the whole, has the same object in view and is
perhaps even more restrictive than the one laid down by that diplomatic
instrument.
I have the honour to be, etc.
(Signed) V. BARAU.
The Secretary-General,
League of Nations,
Geneva.
REPLY FROM THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA.
INDIA OFFICE The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. ,
Whitehall, London s. \v. i. September 20 tll, 1921 .
I. and 0 . 1369/21
Sir,
In your letter of March 8th, 1921 , you enquired whether the Government
of India is prepared to ratify the Arms Traffic Convention, and if so
whether it derires to make a reservation that its ratificication shall not take
effect until other signatory Powers have also ratified.
I have now to inform you that the Government of India is prepared to
agree to the ratification of the Convention, subject to the above reservation,
and also subject to safeguards being provided against the Convention being
rendered nugatory by non-signatories.
I am, etc.
fhe Secretary-General,
League of Nations,
Geneva.
(Signed) E. S. MONTAGU.