APPENDIX

INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION

RELATING TO SAFETY OF

LIFE AT SEA

(Reprinted from Senate Document No. 463, 2d Session, 63d Congress, with addition of Resolution passed by the Senate on December 16, 1914)

[Resolution passed by the Senate of the United States during the 3d Session of the 63d Congress.]

SAFETY OF LIFE AT SEA.

RESOLUTION ADVISING AND CONSENTING TO RATIFICATION ADOPTED DECEMBER 16, 1914. December 16, 1914.-Injunction of secrecy removed and resolution ordered printed.

Resolved (two thirds of the Senators present concurring therein), That the Senate advise and consent to the ratification of the international convention on the safety of life at sea, signed at London on January 20, 1914, with the regulations, final protocol, and recommendations connected therewith: Provided, that the United States reserves the right to abrogate "treaties, conventions, and agreements" indicated in article 68, in accordance with the terms of such treaties, conventions, and agreements, and to impose upon all vessels in the waters of the United States such higher standards of safety and such provisions for the health, protection and comfort of passengers, seamen, and immigrants as the United States shall enact for vessels of the United States.

MESSAGE

FROM THE

PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

TRANSMITTING

AN AUTHENTICATED COPY OF THE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION RELATING TO SAFETY OF LIFE AT SEA, THE DETAILED REGULATIONS THEREUNDER, A FINAL PROTOCOL, AND THE "VOEUX” EXPRESSED BY THE CONFERENCE, ALL SIGNED AT LONDON JANUARY 20, 1914.

MARCH 17, 1914.-Message read; convention read the first time and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations, and, together with the message and accompanying papers, ordered to be printed in confidence for the use of the Senate.

MARCH 25, 1914.-Injunction of secrecy removed.

To the Senate:

I transmit herewith, to receive the advice and consent of the Senate to ratification, an authenticated copy of the International Convention Relating to Safety of Life at Sea, the detailed regulations thereunder, a final protocol, and the "Voeux" expressed by the conference, all signed at London, January 20, 1914.

The attention of the Senate is invited to the accompanying report of the Secretary of State.

THE WHITE HOUSE,

WOODROW WILSON.

Washington, March 17, 1914.

THE PRESIDENT:

The undersigned, the Secretary of State, has the honor to lay before the President for transmission to the Senate, if his judgment approve thereof, with a view to receiving the advice and consent of the Senate to their ratification, an authenticated copy of the International Convention Relating to Safety of Life at Sea, of the detailed regulations thereunder, and of a final protocol, and of the "Voeux" expressed by the conference, all signed at London on January 20, 1914.

The convention embodies the unanimous conclusions of the International Conference on Safety of Life at Sea which met at London from November 12, 1913, to January 20, 1914. The conference was comprised of the representatives of the 14 principal maritime nations and of three of the self-governing British dominions. It was called in a large measure upon

the suggestion of the Government of the United States, and the advice of the American delegation was influential upon a great many particulars which entered into this convention. The conference was composed of men trained to the sea and experienced in the administration of the laws relating to maritime affairs, and its unanimous conclusions carry weight on the matters of which the convention treats. The American delegates, who took an active part in the framing of every article and regulation of the convention, are agreed that the international standards for the safety of life at sea thus proposed to be established are higher than those of any nation now in force, and that the ratification of the convention will secure benefits for humanity by the joint action of maritime nations which could not be accomplished by any one nation, however powerful upon the sea. There are probably points in detail in which the convention may be criticized, especially by particular interests, but in its entirety it is high testimony to the will and ability of nations to put aside special and local considerations in order to promote the progress and welfare of mankind. By its terms the ratifications shall be deposited not later than December 31, 1914. Early and favorable action, accordingly, is recommended.

Respectfully submitted.

DEPARTMENT OF STATE,

Washington, D. C., March 13, 1914.

W. J. BRYAN.