Kasson to Evarts, July 24, 1878

No. 38. Mr. Kasson to Mr. Evarts.

Sir: Inclosed here with I transmit a copy of my response to that clause of the communication from the minister for foreign affairs of which a copy was sent to you in my dispatch No. 97, which read as follows:

In regard to the actual meeting of the conference, and not less in regard to the programme of the conference, the government of His Imperial and Royal Apostolic Majesty believes that it is entitled to expect a detailed specification from the American envoy.

It seemed to be my duty to take notice of this request, and in the absence of advices from the department I could only indicate what I believed to be the natural sequence of the late day at which invitations were accepted and appointments of delegates made. It is to be hoped, however, that the delegates of the United States, as the government taking the initiative, may be prepared in Paris with a programme to be submitted for the organization and for the course of discussions of the conference. The designation of a president, secretary, &c., masters of the French and, if practicable, of the English language; the topics to be referred to commissions of the body for report; the place of meeting; the hour for the first meeting, &c.—all these are subjects on which foreign delegates will naturally look to the inviting government to take the initiative. Without doubt your delegates have instructions on these points, and will, in special consultation with the French delegates, who by custom would furnish the president, be prepared with preliminary propositions. But being myself without advices, I could only leave the subject where my note to the foreign office has left it.

I have, &c.,