Tróis Rivieres Conference (1900) (Final Text)

[Lumine]

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Tróis Rivieres
1900, Empire of Québec

Her Imperial Majesty was beaming. Though moving slowly with great difficulty due to her advanced pregnancy, she had insisted on opening the inaugural session of the historic Conference, which would afterwards be left to the diplomatic delegation presided by the Foreign Minister, and to the Prince Consort for formal events. After warmly greeting Chairman Fitzgerald and several other delegates, the Empress gave a brief speech quoting from survivors of chemical weaponry, even citing among these the events of the North American War. Stressing the need to find international agreement, she encouraged delegates to spare no effort in finding a joint solution.

In a final, perhaps awkward comment, she noted that, should present diplomatic troubles in North America put the status of Québec as host into question, she'd be pleased to recommend Chairman Fitzgerald to preside instead upon request by the delegates.

[Lumine]

In order to ensure an orderly process of debate, the Québecois delegation presented a draft of a possible treaty. It was noted, however, that it was merely an extremely early draft proposal, with delegates encouraged to present their own drafts, amend the present one as needed be, or discard it if need be.

DRAFT PROPOSAL,
TREATY OF TROIS-RIVIERES

ARTICLE 1
Any form of biological warfare, as well as all forms of chemical warfare with the sole exception of non-lethal tear inducing irritants for emergency domestic situations; are hereby considered to be ungentlemanly forms of warfare.

ARTICLE 2
The previously mentioned forms of ungentlemanly warfare are hereby banned within the territory of the signatures for domestic use, and for international use in terms of pre-emptive or first-use, starting on January 1st, 1901.

ARTICLE 3
The stockpiling of agents for biological and chemical warfare is hereby prohibited. All current stockpiles of such agents must be disposed of entirely once Article 6 comes into effect.

ARTICLE 4
Research on chemical and biological warfare will only be allowed for the purposes of finding countermeasures, antidotes or for purely scientific purposes. Incentives and support will be provided for experts in such fields to switch to non-lethal research. Signatures must share their findings with the Ungentlemanly Warfare Commission in order to prevent and/or deter the start of a new arms race.

ARTICLE 5
The sale of agents for chemical and biological warfare will be made illegal starting on January 1st, 1901. Companies that held a role or stake in such fields until January 1st, 1900, and who may encounter financial losses as the result of this protocol, will be reasonably compensated by their respective nation.

ARTICLE 6
The signatories will further formally renounce the right to non-first usage of chemical and biological weapons in self-defence for all time after January 1st, 1902. To enforce this renunciation, all signatories will agree to enact immediate and full economic sanctions, including an economic embargo, against any nation that engages in ungentlemanly warfare after the aforementioned date. Signatories must also pass legislation or enact decrees that ensure compliance with Article 6.

ARTICLE 7
An Ungentlemanly Warfare Commission will be established in a city belonging to a neutral power, with participants from all signatories. Delegations from the Commission will be provided full access to signatory countries to ensure compliance with the previous articles. Suspicion of non-compliance must be brought to the Commission, who will issue a report – by majority vote – within 90 days outlining whether Article 6 ought to be invoked.

[KaiserDave]

The Russian Republic will send the highly respected Interim Foreign Minister Georgy Yevgenyevich Lvov as Ambassador to the Tróis Rivieres Conference, and His Excellency strongly supports the Draft Proposal, in its entirety.

[PSOL]

The Sublime State shall send Mirza Mohsen Khan Moshir od-Dowleh to the conference.

[YPestis25]

The Kingdom of Scandinavia shall send its Foreign Minister Alfred Lagerheim as Ambassador to the Tróis Rivieres Conference. His Majesty the King-Emperor thanks Empress Wilhelmina of Quebec for her efforts in organizing the conference.

As to the draft treaty, His Majesty commends the efforts of the Quebecois delegation, though is concerned regarding a few points.

1. Regarding Article 5, what will be the source of the compensation for financial losses suffered by private actors be? Are these funds to come out of the state fisc? If not, where will these funds be raised?

2. Regarding Article 7, His Majesty wishes to raise concerns that Commission Delegations having access to signatory countries may represent an undue infringement on state sovereignty, particularly if members of the Commission Delegation are comprised of national representatives of the signatory countries. To what extent will access by Commission Delegations by limited to ensure that the principle of state sovereignty is not infringed?

3. Finally, His Majesty wishes to propose an additional article. He is concerned over this treaty becoming binding on certain states prior to becoming binding on other states. Such a situation will encourage bad faith actors to delay ratification of this treaty. As such, His Majesty proposes an additional article to read: "Article 8: This treaty shall enter into force when 3/4 of recognized and fully sovereign states ratify the treaty."

[OBD]

Chairman Fitzgerald and the New England delegation, including Secretary of State Lucas Garvin and Ambassador to Quebec Redfield Proctor, express their general satisfaction with the draft treaty. The New England delegation views it as a imperative step forward for the elimination of these vile forms of warfare.

The New England delegation concurs with the Scandinavian concern regarding Articles V. New England believes that the clause requiring that each nation compensate companies affected by this Treaty should be eliminated, or made optional, to allow each nation to decide independently how compensation to corporations involved in the relevant industries are compensated.

New England requests clarification that the penalties outlined in Article VI also apply to violations of the other articles, most notably Article II.

Regarding Article VII, New England concurs with Scandinavian concerns, requesting that the meaning of 'full access' be clarified.

Regarding the proposed Article VIII, New England is amenable - however, Chairman Fitzgerald notes that no bad faith actors have yet emerged and that the passage of Article VIII could delay general implementation of the treaty.

If called upon by the delegates of the Conference, Chairman Fitzgerald is willing and able to preside. However, he expresses that this should only occur as a last resort, expressing his full confidence in the Quebecois diplomatic delegation to lead this landmark Conference.

[Attorney General & PPT Dwarven Dragon]

The Holy Union of Spain will send its foreign minister Francisco Silvela y Le Vielleuze to the conference.

The Holy Union of Spain agrees with the position of Chairman Fitzgerald regarding the draft treaty.

[Lumine]

Félix-Gabriel Marchand, Foreign Minister of the Empire, rose from his chair. Presiding in the absence of Her Majesty and the Prince Consort, he briefly addressed the concerns and proposals put forward by the Scandinavian and New Englander delegations and thanked them for their suggestions. He addressed the following points:

Regarding Article 5, what will be the source of the compensation for financial losses suffered by private actors be? Are these funds to come out of the state fisc? If not, where will these funds be raised?

The New England delegation concurs with the Scandinavian concern regarding Articles V. New England believes that the clause requiring that each nation compensate companies affected by this Treaty should be eliminated, or made optional, to allow each nation to decide independently how compensation to corporations involved in the relevant industries are compensated.

It is the view of Québec that, should there be compensation, the burden should be shouldered by the nations who have invested more heavily on these industries (and not by those who have failed or chosen not to develop these weapons), and thus come out of their own national budgets.

Ultimately, the latter part Article V is something that can indeed be handled by individual states. Should it prove agreeable, it could be amended in based on the New Englander suggestion, so that states MAY issue compensation to their national chemical weaponry industry if they desire, and chose the method that best suits them.

Regarding Article 7, His Majesty wishes to raise concerns that Commission Delegations having access to signatory countries may represent an undue infringement on state sovereignty, particularly if members of the Commission Delegation are comprised of national representatives of the signatory countries. To what extent will access by Commission Delegations by limited to ensure that the principle of state sovereignty is not infringed?

Regarding Article VII, New England concurs with Scandinavian concerns, requesting that the meaning of 'full access' be clarified.

It is agreed with Stockholm and Boston that the Article lends itself to problematic interpretations. For the Empire, the important matter is that there be some kind of supervision, but we are open to any possible redaction that accomplishes this without an infringement on state sovereignty. Should Stockholm or Boston be prepared to offer an alternative write-up, we'd be most grateful.

3. Finally, His Majesty wishes to propose an additional article. He is concerned over this treaty becoming binding on certain states prior to becoming binding on other states. Such a situation will encourage bad faith actors to delay ratification of this treaty. As such, His Majesty proposes an additional article to read: "Article 8: This treaty shall enter into force when 3/4 of recognized and fully sovereign states ratify the treaty."

Regarding the proposed Article VIII, New England is amenable - however, Chairman Fitzgerald notes that no bad faith actors have yet emerged and that the passage of Article VIII could delay general implementation of the treaty.

We understand where Scandinavia points towards with this concern, which is indeed meaningful. However, the strength of the treaty must come from the willingness of participants to take action against those who would still wield these monstrous weapons, and there's a question to be asked about the basis for recognition for states that will be included in the count to 3/4s.

If there is another workable criteria for the treaty to enter into effect we are prepared to consider it, but it would be ideal to leave the conference with a treaty signed by the participants and put in place at the earliest possible convenience.

[OBD]

The replacement of "full" with "reasonable" in Article VII could serve to alleviate our delegation's concerns, leaving the level of access up to the discretion of individual nations. Of course, should a nation excessively stonewall the Commission's activities, that may be cause for additional scrutiny and a possible invocation of Article VI.

[Kuumo]

Secretary of State Manuel Antonio Matos, Archbishop-President Federico González Suárez, and the rest of the Colombian delegation concur with the New England delegation that the "full access" clause in Article 7 should be replaced with "reasonable access."

Secretary Matos shares Scandinavia's concerns over rogue powers delaying ratification and proposes the following amendment with a lower barrier to putting the treaty into effect: "Article 8: This treaty shall enter into force when 3/4 greater than one-half of recognized and fully sovereign states ratify the treaty."

[LAKISYLVANIA]

The Kingdom of Mexico will send its foreign minister Alejandro Morales Castillo to the conference.

[YPestis25]

Foreign Minister Lagerheim rises to address the conference, first thanking the New Englander, Colombian, and Quebecois delegations for their contributions before addressing the suggestions of these delegations.

Regarding Article V, Scandinavia would be satisfied if the Article is amended to permit compensation but not require it and considers its concerns met by the Quebecois suggestion.

Regarding Article VII, Scandinavia welcomes the suggestion of the New Englander delegation. "Reasonable access" in place of "full access" will permit the preservation of state sovereignty. In addition to this, the Scandinavian delegation would look favorably upon the inclusion of safeguards regarding both the national make up of the delegations sent for national inspections as well as the future propriety of the information they will collect to ensure that this information does not fall into the hands of state actors.

Regarding the proposed Article VIII, Scandinavia welcomes both the Quebecois concerns over "recognition" as well as the Colombian suggestion for a compromise. Recognizing the issues over recognition and the need to ensure that the treaty comes into force as quickly as possible, the Scandinavian delegation proposes the following amendment to its proposed Article VIII: "This treaty shall enter into force when 3/4 of states with the capability to create chemical and biological weapons ratify the treaty. The determination of which states are capable of creating chemical and biological weapons will be made by an expert committee with members designated by this conference."

[Lumine]

THIRD DRAFT PROPOSAL,
TREATY OF TROIS-RIVIERES

ARTICLE 1
Any form of biological warfare, as well as all forms of chemical warfare with the sole exception of non-lethal tear inducing irritants for emergency domestic situations; are hereby considered to be ungentlemanly forms of warfare.

ARTICLE 2
The previously mentioned forms of ungentlemanly warfare are hereby banned within the territory of the signatures for domestic use, and for international use in terms of pre-emptive or first-use, starting on January 1st, 1901.

ARTICLE 3
The stockpiling of agents for biological and chemical warfare is hereby prohibited. All current stockpiles of such agents must be disposed of entirely once Article 6 comes into effect.

ARTICLE 4
Research on chemical and biological warfare will only be allowed for the purposes of finding countermeasures, antidotes or for purely scientific purposes. Incentives and support will be provided for experts in such fields to switch to non-lethal research. Signatures must share their findings with the Ungentlemanly Warfare Commission in order to prevent and/or deter the start of a new arms race.

ARTICLE 5
The sale of agents for chemical and biological warfare will be made illegal starting on January 1st, 1901. Companies that held a role or stake in such fields until January 1st, 1900, and who may encounter financial losses as the result of this protocol, will may be reasonably compensated by their respective nation if they so decide, under their preferred mechanism.

ARTICLE 6
The signatories will further formally renounce the right to non-first usage of chemical and biological weapons in self-defence for all time after January 1st, 1902. To enforce this renunciation, all signatories will agree to enact immediate and full economic sanctions, including an economic embargo, against any nation that engages in ungentlemanly warfare after the aforementioned date. Signatories must also pass legislation or enact decrees that ensure compliance with Article 6.

ARTICLE 7
An Ungentlemanly Warfare Commission will be established in a city belonging to a neutral power, with participants from all signatories. Delegations from the Commission will be provided reasonably access to signatory countries to ensure compliance with the previous articles.

The Commission must ensure that the make up of delegations to specific countries places emphasis on neutral, non-aligned, or non-rival nations to the one to be inspected. Information thus collected will remain the private, exclusive property of of the Commission, which must enact regulations with harsh penalties for any actors who illegally access or divulge any of its contents.

In addition to this, the Scandinavian delegation would look favorably upon the inclusion of safeguards regarding both the national make up of the delegations sent for national inspections as well as the future propriety of the information they will collect to ensure that this information does not fall into the hands of state actors.

Suspicion of non-compliance must be brought to the Commission, who will issue a report – by majority vote – within 90 days outlining whether Article 6 ought to be invoked.

We have two proposals for an Article VIII regarding the treaty's entry into force:

-Scandinavian, mandating 3/4's of states with capability to create chemical and biological weapons. Their capability will be determined by an expert committee with members designated by the conference.

-Colombian, mandating more than one-half of recognized and fully sovereign states.

We would encourage participans to either vote or express their preference - and/or other proposals - to clarify where the consensus may be found.

[YPestis25]

The Scandinavian delegation is satisfied by the amendments to Articles 5 and 7 and thanks our Quebecois hosts for their flexibility on the matter.

As for Article VIII, Scandinavia reaffirms support for its proposed draft language, and urges other nations to do the same.

[OBD]

New England endorses the Scandinavian draft language. If it is not selected by the delegates, New England prefers the Colombian language to the status quo.

[Chancellor Tanterterg]

The Kingdom of France has grave concerns about Article VII inspections.  These would seem to constitute a direct threat to the sovereignty of the signatories.  That being said, we also believe that there is no reason the prohibition on ungentlemanly warfare should not take effect immediately upon passage, lest we risk creating loophole ripe for abuse during the next two years. 

[KaiserDave]

His Excellency Georgy Yevgenyevich supports the Scandinavian Draft language for Article VIII, and supports stringent inspection protocols to give the agreement some teeth.

[Lumine]

The Empire of Québec is highly supportive of an immediate prohibition of ungentlemanly warfare, the postponement of which relates more to initial expectations of what might be achievable.

Are there objections from the delegations regarding a changing of all dates (Jan 1. 1901 and 1902) to the treaty's entrance into force?

[Kuumo]

The Colombian delegation supports putting the treaty into force immediately after ratification and would vote in favor of Scandinavia's proposed draft of Article VIII.

[Attorney General & PPT Dwarven Dragon]

The Holy Union of Spain endorses the Revised Treaty with the Scandavian Article VIII. We would also be willing to vote for the Colombian version if the Scandavian is rejected. We would however be forced to vote against a treaty that was immediately in effect. An agreement to not use these tactics that only a small section of the world agrees to is simply giving an opportunity to any non-signatory to wipe nations off the face of the map without repercussions. Furthermore, we are not convinced that larger powers will see themselves as being bound by the agreement if only a minority of nations have formally signed it.

Are there objections from the delegations regarding a changing of all dates (Jan 1. 1901 and 1902) to the treaty's entrance into force?

No objection

[YPestis25]

Scandinavia has no objections to the proposed extension, and thanks the New Englander, Russian, Colombian and Spanish delegations for their support regarding the Article VIII language.

[Lumine]

THIRD DRAFT PROPOSAL,
TREATY OF TROIS-RIVIERES

ARTICLE 1
Any form of biological warfare, as well as all forms of chemical warfare with the sole exception of non-lethal tear inducing irritants for emergency domestic situations; are hereby considered to be ungentlemanly forms of warfare.

ARTICLE 2
The previously mentioned forms of ungentlemanly warfare are hereby banned within the territory of the signatures for domestic use, and for international use in terms of pre-emptive or first-use, starting on January 1st, 1901 once the treaty enters into force.

ARTICLE 3
The stockpiling of agents for biological and chemical warfare is hereby prohibited. All current stockpiles of such agents must be disposed of entirely once Article 6 comes into effect.

ARTICLE 4
Research on chemical and biological warfare will only be allowed for the purposes of finding countermeasures, antidotes or for purely scientific purposes. Incentives and support will be provided for experts in such fields to switch to non-lethal research. Signatures must share their findings with the Ungentlemanly Warfare Commission in order to prevent and/or deter the start of a new arms race.

ARTICLE 5
The sale of agents for chemical and biological warfare will be made illegal starting on January 1st, 1901 once the treaty enters into force.. Companies that held a role or stake in such fields until January 1st, 1900, and who may encounter financial losses as the result of this protocol, may be reasonably compensated by their respective nation if they so decide, under their preferred mechanism.

ARTICLE 6
The signatories will further formally renounce the right to non-first usage of chemical and biological weapons in self-defence for all time after January 1st, 1902 the treaty enters into force.. To enforce this renunciation, all signatories will agree to enact immediate and full economic sanctions, including an economic embargo, against any nation that engages in ungentlemanly warfare after the aforementioned date. Signatories must also pass legislation or enact decrees that ensure compliance with Article 6.

ARTICLE 7
An Ungentlemanly Warfare Commission will be established in a city belonging to a neutral power, with participants from all signatories. Delegations from the Commission will be provided reasonably access to signatory countries to ensure compliance with the previous articles.

The Commission must ensure that the make up of delegations to specific countries places emphasis on neutral, non-aligned, or non-rival nations to the one to be inspected. Information thus collected will remain the private, exclusive property of of the Commission, which must enact regulations with harsh penalties for any actors who illegally access or divulge any of its contents.

In addition to this, the Scandinavian delegation would look favorably upon the inclusion of safeguards regarding both the national make up of the delegations sent for national inspections as well as the future propriety of the information they will collect to ensure that this information does not fall into the hands of state actors.

Suspicion of non-compliance must be brought to the Commission, who will issue a report – by majority vote – within 90 days outlining whether Article 6 ought to be invoked.

ARTICLE 8
This treaty shall enter into force when 3/4 of states with the capability to create chemical and biological weapons ratify the treaty. The determination of which states are capable of creating chemical and biological weapons will be made by an expert committee with members designated by this conference.

Previously discussed options have been added, including the Scandinavian proposal after garnering a larger consensus.

We shall leave this draft open for debate - OOC: perhaps until tomorrow? - to see if there are further comments or proposals. If not, we could well be in a position to start signing.

[LAKISYLVANIA]

The Kingdom of Mexico objects to the current draft, noting that postponing the treaty coming into effect could result in states quickly potentially using their reserves of chemical and biological weaponry before the treaty comes into effect, eventually leading to the opposite end result of what the conference has in mind: stimulating both chemical & biological warfare in the short term.

[YPestis25]

Scandinavia fully supports the current draft proposal, but would urge delay in opening the treaty for signing until such time as the convention hears from additional powers, particularly the Habsburg Monarchy, the United Kingdom, Brazil and the Chinese Republic.

[GoTfan]

The Kingdom of Naples supports the current draft proposal, but does understand the Kingdom of Mexico's fears.