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 this convention to include all vessels of the United States as defined under the laws of the United States. "That the United States Government understands and con- strues the words 'maritime navigation' appearing in this Con- vention to mean navigation on the high seas only. "That the provisions of this convention shall apply to all territory over which the United States exercises jurisdiction except the Government of the Commonwealth of the Philippine Islands and the Panama Canal Zone, with respect to which this Govern- ment reserves its decision." Ratification by AND WHEREAS the ratification of the said draft convention by Belgium, registration. Belgium was registered with the Secretary-General of the League of Nations on April 11, 1938, subject to subsequent decisions regarding application to the Belgian Congo and the territories under Belgian R atification by Mandate and the ratification thereof by the United States of America, subject to the understandings above recited, was registered with the Secretary-General on October 29, 1938; Effective date; AND WHEREAS by such registrations the said draft convention be- scope. came a formal convention between the United States of America and Belgium on October 29, 1938, which, pursuant to Article 15 thereof, will come into force as between the United States of America and Belgium on October 29, 1939, twelve months after the date on which the ratification of the United States of America was registered with the Secretary-General of the League of Nations, and pursuant to the same Article, will come into force, for other Members of the Inter- national Labor Organization whose ratifications may have been or hereafter may be registered with the Secretary-General of the League of Nations subsequent to October 29, 1938, twelve months after the date on which the ratification has been or may be registered in each case; Proclamation. Now, THEREFORE, be it known that I, Franklin D. Roosevelt, President of the United States of America, have caused the said con- vention to be made public to the end that the same and every article and clause thereof may be observed and fulfilled in good faith by the United States of America and the citizens thereof, on and from October 29, 1939, subject to the understandings above recited and to any exceptions and any limitations of liability in accordance with the provisions of the convention which may be made by legislation or regulations on the part of the United States of America. IN TE8TIMONY WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States of America to be affixed. DONE at the city of Washington this twenty-ninth day of Septem- ber in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and [SEAL] thirty-nine and of the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred and sixty-fourth. FRANKLIN D ROOSEVELT By the President: CORDELL HULL Secretary of State: 1704 [54 STAT. TREATIES

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