EEE IN Oe 
THr AMERICAN LEGION, 
LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION, 
Washington, D.C., November 27, 1967. 
Hon. J. WILLIAM FULBRIGHT, 
Chairman, Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, 
Washington, D.C. 
DEAR CHAIRMAN FULBRIGHT: We note your announcement that the Senate 
Committee on Foreign Relations has scheduled a public hearing on two resolu- 
tions, S. Res. 172 and S8.J. Res. 111, dealing with jurisdiction over the ocean 
floor. 
I am enclosing copies of two resolutions which The American Legion has 
adopted relative to this issue. These are No. 414, approved by our 1965 National 
Convention, and No. 22, approved by our National Executive Committee this past 
October. It is the sense of both that The American Legion is opposed to giving the 
United Nations jurisdiction and control over any significant sources of inde- 
pendent revenue, including the resources of the ocean floor. The bases for this 
position are set forth in the preamble to Res. No. 414. 
I would greatly appreciate your making this letter and the enclosures a part 
of the official records of the hearings of your Committee. 
Sincerely yours, 
HERALD E. STRINGER, Director. 
Forty-SEVENTH ANNUAL NATIONAL CONVENTION OF THE AMERICAN LEGION 
PORTLAND, OREGON ; AUGUST 24—26, 1965 
RESOLUTION NO. 414 
Committee: Foreign Relations. 
Subject: United Nations Independent Revenue Opposed. 
Whereas there have been advanced various proposals for raising direct revenue 
for the United Nations, with a view to making that organization financially inde- 
pendent; and 
Whereas these include suggestions that the UN be authorized to charge mem- 
ber states for services, to tax individual citizens of member states, to place levies 
on certain international activities (e.g., mail, shipping, travel), and to exploit 
natural resources not belonging to any country or resources the claim to which 
is or might be relinquished by the country or countries concerned (e.g., those of 
Antarctica, the sea-beds, and outer space) ; and 
Whereas some have advocated that the UN issue a declaration of United 
Nations title to any petroleum deposits in the Gulf of Mexico beyond U.S. and 
Mexican territorial limits; and 
Whereas under international convention, any such deposits which are tech- 
nically accessible would be a part of the natural resources of the American con- 
tinental shelf and belong, therefore, to either the U.S. or Mexico; and 
Whereas the United Nations Charter specifies (Article 17, paragraph 2) that: 
“The expenses of the Organization shall be borne by the Members;” and 
Whereas to modify this fundamental principle along the lines of the above 
mentioned proposals would be a step in the direction of converting the UN into a 
superstate or ‘‘world government ;” and 
Whereas a financially independent international organization might tend to 
become less and less responsive to the needs and aspirations of its members, and 
might be tempted to undertake activities quite unrelated to its basic purposes 
and perhaps inimical to the best interests of some or all of the nations it is in- 
tended to serve: Now, therefore, be it 
49 
