THE FURTHER PROGRESS OF THE CONVENTION 
119 
1895 the Hungarian Central Office of Ornithology was also 
active, consequently Hungary could have supplied an expert 
adviser of her own. This is not meant as a detraction from 
the excellent merits of Ritter von Tschusi. 
The progress made by the Convention henceforward was 
very slow, for exceptions were taken, stipulations made and 
hair-splitting objections to points of style, concerning all of 
which all the States concerned had to be approached to give 
an opinion before the convention could become a fait ac- 
compli. 
There was, moreover, a desire expressed in some quarters 
for the addition of a 16^^ Clause. 
Of particular significance was the demand of Switzerland 
referring to § 5 of the draft to the effect that „the protection 
of birds during the close season be confined to those figuring 
in Schedule I, i. e. that there be no reservations." 
The French Government deemed the refusal of the Swiss i899. 
demand to be an absolute impediment and added that without 
Switzerland the Convention would have no practical value.^ 
The Austrian Minister of Agriculture considered the Con- 
vention as a whole of trifling value and was of opinion that 
steps should be taken to make the French Government prevail 
on Switzerland to withdraw her demand.^ 
The Austro-Hungarian Foreign Minister informed the 
Hungarian Minister of Agriculture that the French Govern- 
ment considered the Swiss demand unacceptable and begged 
for the opinion of the Hungarian Minister of Agriculture, at 
the same time asking the latter, in case he was in favour of 
refusing the demand, to justify his position.^ 
* Hung. Min. Agric. No. 38,056/11. (No. of For. Min.), June 30, 1899. 
' Hung. Min. Agric. No. 15,368 11. (No. of For. Min.), July 5, 1899. 
» For. Min. No. 38,056/11. July 7, 1899. 
