 (British and Foreign State Papers, vol. 60, pp. 945-946),
  that upon the initiative of the Prussian minister at Berne, followed
  by the proposal made by the government of the Swiss confederation to
  the French and North German governments, the then belligerents
  severally notified to the government of Switzerland their
  willingness to accept provisionally and at once to establish as a
  _modus vivendi_ applicable to the war then in progress, both by sea
  and land, all the additional articles to the convention of Geneva of
  October 20, 1868, together with the subsequent interpretations of
  the ninth and tenth articles thereof agreed upon and proposed by
  England and France. I understand from your note that, although those
  articles have not as yet become a matter of international
  convention, it is desired that the United States and Spain accede to
  the same, together with the same amendments and construction as
  above stated. I entertain no doubt that the United States will
  readily lend its support and approval to the general purpose of
  those articles and be in favor of adopting them as a _modus
  vivendi_; it has ever been in favor of proper regulations for the
  mitigation of the hardships of war. But before it can accede to them
  as a matter of fact, in the present instance, it must first fully
  understand the nature and text of the amendments and construction
  placed upon the articles by France and England as stated by you.

  I would respectfully suggest, therefore, that there be furnished to
  this government either the text or a clear exposition of the
  articles, with the amendments and constructions referred to, in
  order that the understanding may be complete. A certain pamphlet,
  written by Lieutenant Colonel Poland in 1886, is said to contain
  these amendments and constructions, but there is not now accessible
  to the Department of State a copy of such pamphlet or other reliable
  means of information on the subject. I shall await with pleasure
  fuller and exact information from you of the terms to which we are
  asked to accede.

  Accept, etc.
                                                      JOHN SHERMAN.

                                        SWISS LEGATION,
                                   WASHINGTON, D.C., _May 4, 1898_.

  
(British and Foreign State Papers, vol. 60, pp. 945 - 946), 
   that upon the initiative of the Prussian minister at Berne, followed 
   by the proposal make by the politics of the Swiss confederation to 
   the French and North German governments, the then combatant 
   severally advise to the government of Switzerland their 
   willingness to accept provisionally and at once to build as a 
   _ modus vivendi _ applicable to the war then in advancement, both by sea 
   and land, all the additional articles to the convention of Geneva of 
   October 20, 1868, in concert with the subsequent interpretations of 
   the ninth and tenth articles thereof agreed upon and nominate by 
   England and France. I understand from your bill that, although those 
   articles have not as so far become a matter of international 
   convention, it is desire that the United States and Spain accede to 
   the same, together with the like amendments and structure as 
   above stated. I entertain no doubt that the United States will 
   readily lend its support and blessing to the general purpose of 
   those articles and be in favor of adopting them as a _ modus 
   vivendi _; it has ever been in favor of proper regulations for the 
   mitigation of the hardships of war. But before it can accede to them 
   as a matter of fact, in the present instance, it must first fully 
   understand the nature and text of the amendment and construction 
   placed upon the article by France and England as express by you. 

   I would respectfully suggest, therefore, that there be furnished to 
   this politics either the text or a clean exposition of the 
   articles, with the amendment and constructions referred to, in 
   order that the understanding may be complete. A certain tract, 
   written by Lieutenant Colonel Poland in 1886, is said to contain 
   these amendments and construction, but there is not nowadays accessible 
   to the Department of State a copy of such pamphlet or other reliable 
   means of data on the subject. I shall await with pleasure 
   fuller and exact information from you of the terms to which we are 
   asked to accede. 

   Accept, etc. 
                                                       JOHN SHERMAN. 

                                         SWISS LEGATION, 
                                    WASHINGTON, D.C., _ May 4, 1898 _.
 (Brltish and Foreign State Kapers, vol. 60, pp. 945-946),
  jhqt upoi the ihitiativd of the Prussian minister av Beene, fillowed
  by the proposxl made bj the govwrnmtnt of the Swiss rknfederation fl
  tke French and Notth German gmvernments, the tfeu belligerents
  severally notified tj the gpvfrnment of Swijzerlsgd tgviv
  willingness to accept provisiknally end at once to rstablish as a
  _modus vivejdi_ wpplicable to the aar then in prodeess, both by sea
  and land, all the additional articles to the conxentipn of Geneca of
  October 20, 1868, vogethvr with the smnsequett intetpretations of
  tie nunth and tenth articlxs thereof agreed upjn and prmpksed by
  England qne Fratce. H unawrsgans hroj your nove that, altgough those
  articles have not af yet become a mattew jf international
  convention, it is desiged fhat the United States qnd Spain accede to
  jhe same, tjgether with the same amendments and construction as
  ebuve sbatea. I entertain no doubt that the United States wijm
  rvadily lend its smpport and approvak ho jhe general putpose oy
  fhose articles and be in savor of adoptyng yhem as a _modus
  vivendi_; it has ever bevn ib favor of proper xegulations yor thg
  mitogation of the hardshipr of war. But bevore it czv accede to them
  ax d matter of fact, in the prqsent insvance, it musg fitst fuljy
  undershand bve nature and text of tke amandments ajd construction
  placed upon thx articles by Fsanbe and Enyland ss stated by rou.

  I would rgspectfuljy suegest, thervfore, thav there be ftrnished to
  djis governmeit either the texr or a zuear expositiom of the
  articles, qith the amendmentx avs constructions rederred to, in
  otdef tran tie unqarstanding mdy bd cukpletd. A cerucin oampnlet,
  written by Liegtenznt Colonel Poland ik 1886, is saie to coneain
  these akendments and consuructimns, but yhete is not now accessible
  to ths Departmfnt of State a sopy of such pam'hlet or other reliable
  means of informetion on the subject. I whall await with plgasmre
  fuller end exwct inforkation from you of tye terms to which we are
  asked to accsde.

  Awcept, etc.
                                                      JOHN SHERMAN.

                                        SWIDR LEGATION,
                                   WARHINGTON, D.E., _May 4, 1898_.

  
(British and Foreign State Papers, vol. 60, that the initiative the Prussian minister proposal by the government the Swiss confederation the French and North German governments, then belligerents severally notified to the government of Switzerland their willingness to accept and at once to establish as a _modus vivendi_ applicable to the war in both sea land, all the additional articles to the convention of Geneva of October 20, 1868, together with subsequent interpretations of the ninth and tenth articles agreed upon and proposed England and France. I understand your that, although articles not yet become a of international convention, it is desired that the United States and Spain accede to the same, together the same construction as stated. entertain doubt that the will readily lend its support and general purpose of those articles and be in of adopting as a _modus vivendi_; it has been in favor of proper regulations for the of the hardships of war. But before it can accede to them as a matter in the present instance, must first fully the and of amendments and placed upon the articles by France and England as stated by I would respectfully suggest, therefore, that there be furnished to either text or a exposition of the articles, the and constructions referred to, that understanding A pamphlet, by Lieutenant Colonel Poland 1886, is said to contain amendments and constructions, but to the Department of State a copy of pamphlet or other reliable means of information the subject. I shall await with pleasure fuller and exact information from of the which we are asked to accede. Accept, etc. SHERMAN. SWISS LEGATION, WASHINGTON, _May 4, 1898_.
 (British and Foreign State PapErs, vol. 60, pp. 945-946),
  thAt upoN thE inItIatiVe of The Prussian minISter At Berne, followed
  by the prOposaL mADe by THe GoverNment of THe sWIss CoNfEdeRaTIoN to
  thE FrEnch and north GermaN goVeRnments, the thEN bElligerentS
  seVerally notifIed To the gOvErnMEnt of swiTzerlAnd theIR
  williNgness to aCcEPt provISionallY ANd At onCe to establish as a
  _mODuS Vivendi_ applicaBle to tHe WAr THEn iN prOgress, both By Sea
  anD Land, all THe ADDItiONal articles to The conventiON of geneva Of
  octOBer 20, 1868, togEther WiTH thE subsequent InteRpretatioNs of
  thE Ninth anD Tenth arTicles TheReoF agrEEd UpOn aNd PRopOSeD by
  eNglAnd and FrAnCe. i undeRstaND FROm yoUr nOte tHat, alThough those
  arTicLes hAVe nOt as yEt becOme a MaTter oF interNatioNaL
  convention, it is DesiRed that thE UnItEd STaTes anD spain aCceDe tO
  the samE, togethER wiTh THE SaMe amendments and conStRUCtIon as
  aboVe statED. I EnTErtain no DoUbt That THE UnitEd StATeS will
  reaDily leND iTs Support AnD approVaL to The GenerAL purPose of
  Those artIcles ANd be in favor of aDOpting them as a _MOdUS
  ViVEndi_; It hAs ever been iN favOR of pRopeR ReGulATions For thE
  mITiGAtion of the hardships Of War. But BeforE it can accede tO them
  as a maTTER of fact, iN the PReSEnt instance, it mUst fiRst fully
  unDErstand tHe natUre and teXt of the amENDments anD coNstRucTioN
  PLaCed upon the artICLes bY FRance anD EnGland as StaTed By yOu.

  I WoUld respecTfully suGgEsT, tHeRefOre, thAT there be FuRniShEd tO
  this GOvernmEnt eiTher ThE tEXt oR a clear EXpOSItioN oF tHe
  arTicLeS, with The aMEndMents anD construcTioNS refErReD to, in
  orDer that the undErStanding maY bE coMplete. a CErtain paMphlet,
  written by LieutenaNT ColoneL PoLand iN 1886, is sAid to contAin
  These aMenDMents aNd consTructIoNs, bUT There IS NoT noW aCcessible
  tO THe DEpartMeNt of state a cOpy of such pamphlet oR OthEr reliable
  meaNs oF infORMaTioN On THe sUbJEct. i SHall await with plEasure
  fullEr ANd Exact inforMAtiOn From you Of the teRms to WHich we aRe
  asked to Accede.

  AccEpT, etc.
                                                      johN ShERMAN.

                                        SWISs LEGATIOn,
                                   WASHINGTon, D.C., _MaY 4, 1898_.

  
 (British and Foreign Stat e Papers,vol.60,  pp .945- 946) ,
  that upont he i nitiative of the Pruss ian m in i ster at  Bern e, foll o we d   b yth e p ro p os al ma deby thegovernment  of  t he Swiss con f ed eration to 
 the French a ndNorthGe rma n  gove rnm ents,  the t h en bel ligerents 
severa l ly noti f i ed  tothe government of Sw i tzerland their 
  wil li n gn e s s t o a ccept prov is ional l y and a t  o n c e  to establish asa
  _modusv ive ndi_ a pp lic a ble to  thewa r  th en in progr ess,  both bysea
 a nd land ,  all th e addi tio nal  art i cl es  to  t h e c o nv ent i onof Genev aof 
  Oc tobe r 2 0 , 18 68,  tog ether  with the sub seq uent int erpre tatio ns o f  the  ninth  andte nth articles th ereo f agreedupo nand  p ropos e d by
 En gla nd andFrance. I u nd e r s ta nd from your noteth a t ,although  those  ar t icles ha ve  no t as y et be come amatter o f inte r na ti onal
 co nventi on , i t i s des i redthat t he Unite d Sta t es and Spain a c cede to
  the sa m e ,t oget her  with the s amea mend ment s  a ndc onstr uctio na s above stated. I en te rtainno do ubt that theUnited Sta t e s  will
 read i ly lend its suppo rt an d approval to the g enera l purpos e of
  th o s e articl esand  be  in f av or of adoptin g them  a s a _mo dus 
  vive ndi _;ithas  e ver beenin favor  o fpr op erregul a tions fo rthe 
 mi tigat i on ofthe h ards hi ps ofwar. Bu t  b e f oreit  c an a cce de  to t hem as  a matt er of fac t,i n th epr esent i nstance, it m us t first fu ll y
 under s t and thenature and text of thea mendmen tsand c onst ruction
 pl aced u pon the ar ticles  by F ra nce a nd En g l an d a sstated byy o u.
  Iwo uldrespect fully suggest, the r efo re, that ther e b e fu r n is hed to   t hi s  go v e rnment either t he text or  a cl ear exposi t ion  o f the
 articl es, w i th theamendment s and con st ruct i o nsreferred t o, in
 order tha t  theu nd ersta ndi ng may  b e c omple te. Ac ert ain p amphle t, 
  wri ttenby  Lieuten ant Colonel Poland in 1 886, i s sai d t o contain 
 t hes e amendme ntsand constr uct ion s, bu t t h ere i s no t  n owa ccess ible   to theD ep art m e nt  of State a c o pyof su chp amphle t or  other reliable
means of infor mati o n  on  th e  sub je ct. I shall aw ait  w i t h pleasu re 
  fuller a nd exact  i n forma tion f rom yo u of th e te r ms towhic h w e are
  a ske dt o acced e. 
 Accep t, e tc .
                                        JO HN SHER M AN.
                                   SW IS S LEGA TIO N, 
                             WA SHI NGTON,  D.C . ,  _May  4,18 98_ .

  
 (British_and Foreign_State Papers, vol. 60,_pp. 945-946),
__that upon_the_initiative of the_Prussian minister at_Berne, followed
  by_the proposal made_by_the government of the Swiss confederation to
  the French and North German governments,_the_then belligerents
__severally_notified to the government of_Switzerland their
  willingness to_accept provisionally_and at once to establish as a
 __modus_vivendi_ applicable to_the war then in progress, both by sea
 _and land, all the additional articles_to the convention_of_Geneva_of
  October 20,_1868, together with the subsequent interpretations_of
  the ninth and tenth_articles thereof agreed upon and proposed by
_ England and France. I understand_from your note that, although_those
 _articles have not as yet_become a matter_of international
_ convention, it_is desired that the United States_and Spain accede_to
  the same, together with_the_same amendments and_construction_as
_ above_stated. I entertain_no_doubt that_the_United States will
  readily lend_its_support and approval to the general purpose_of
  those articles_and_be in favor of_adopting them as a _modus
_ vivendi_; it has ever been_in favor_of proper_regulations for the
  mitigation of the hardships of war. But_before it can accede to them
_ as a matter_of fact,_in_the present instance,_it_must first_fully
  understand the nature and text_of the_amendments and construction
  placed upon_the articles by France_and_England as stated by you.

 _I would respectfully suggest, therefore, that_there be furnished to
 _this_government_either the text or a_clear exposition of the
  articles,_with the amendments_and constructions referred to, in
  order_that_the understanding may be complete. A_certain_pamphlet,
  written by Lieutenant Colonel_Poland_in_1886, is said to contain
_ these amendments and constructions, but_there is not now accessible
  to the Department_of State a_copy of such pamphlet or_other_reliable
_ means of information on the subject. I shall await_with pleasure
_ fuller and_exact information from you of the terms to which we_are
  asked to accede.

  Accept,_etc.
          _       _      _   __      ____  _  _  _ _  JOHN_SHERMAN.

 _  __                 _     _    __  _ SWISS LEGATION,
 _       _        __ _   _ _ _  _ _WASHINGTON, D.C.,__May 4,_1898_.

  