Benjamin de Jong von Beek en Donk to the International Study Commission, August 21, 1916

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CENTRAL ORGANIZATION FOR SUSTAINABLE PEACE

August 21, 1916

To the Members of the International Study Commission no. 1, from the Central Organization for Sustainable Peace.

Gentlemen!

I think I have to tell you the following:

The Members of the First International Study Commission received, some time ago, a copy of the draft questionnaire drawn up by the President of the Commission, Baron Adelsward of Atvidaberg (Sweden). This questionnaire referred to the report of the Netherlands Study Commission chaired by Dr. W. H. de Beaufort, former Minister for Foreign Affairs.

I had given Baron Adelsward the report of the Netherlands Commission, so that it might be useful for the drafting of the questionnaire. When this draft questionnaire was sent out, it was to be hoped that, after a very short time, the draft report would have had a definite character, even with some modifications which did not touch on questions of principle, and could thus be sent to Members of your Commission. [page 2]

To my great regret, as a result of certain circumstances this expectation has not been fulfilled, and the report is not yet finalized. 

In the meantime Mr. de Beaufort, who is also a Member of your Commission, has expressed in a note his personal sentiments about your problem. I now have the advantage of sending you a copy of this note, which also contains an answer to the special questions contained in the Chairman's questionnaire. 

I must add that "the general principle, given in the report presented by the Dutch Study Commission, under the presidency of Dr. WH de Beaufort, page 1 and 2", indicated in the questionnaire (A, I ) is in fact in conformity with the "general rule" and with "the double basis" on which the principle [rests], indicated by Mr. de Beaufort at the beginning of his note. 

While reiterating its regrets that by a circumstantial contest, a delay caused by the progress of the work of your Commission, it is finally possible to express the hope that you wish to contribute to the fact that the questionnaire can still be definitively stopped. by M. Baron Adelsward [page 3] before September 1st, by telling [him] as soon as possible, if you find it necessary to make some modifications. 

It is permitted to remind you that our "Collection of Reports," Part One, which is sent to you, contains the report of Dr. David Starr Jordan on the problem of studies of your Commission. 

Finally, you are aware that M. le Prof. Dr. N. Gjelsvik, Professor of International Law at the University of Christiania, Dr. Arnold Tŏynbee, Buckingham Gate, Wellington House, London, S.W., have accepted to become Members of your Commission. 

Accept, please, the expression of my best feelings, B. de Jong van Beek in Donk [signed]General secretary.