Sir,

I have the honour to inform you that the Duke of Devonshire's Despatches of the 20th August and 3rd December 1923 and your Despatch of the 5th February, 1924, relative to the proposed amendments to Article 16 of the Covenant of the League of Nations, have received the careful attention of my Ministers.¹

2. Wide divergence of opinion still exists amongst Member States of the League as to the exact nature of the obligations contracted under Article 16. My Ministers feel that the proposed amendment raises difficult and very important questions which require, and as they anticipate, will be subjected to, serious examination at the next meeting of the Assembly of the League. They wish to be free to weigh the various considerations which will be offered, and are therefore reluctant to prejudice such action as they may decide upon after full debate of the matter.