Rensselaer Journal, Volume 12, Number 30, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 January 1903 — POWERS AGREE ON THE HAGUE [ARTICLE]

POWERS AGREE ON THE HAGUE

International Tribunal Is* to Arbitrate the Venezuela Dispute. VICTORY FOR THE PRESIDENT Roosevelt Is Given Credit for His Firm Stand That the Matter Should Be Decided by the Court Founded by the Nations. The powers have practically agreed to accept The Hague tribunal as the court of arbitration of the Venezuelan difficulty. The present hopeful status of the situation, which at one time practically threatened the interests of this country, is regarded by friends of the administration as a distinct triumph for President Roosevelt, both as a national and an international factor. Statement Is Unofficial. No official declaration has been made that all the parties to the dispute have agreed to accept The Hague tribunal, but that practical agreement has been made with certain conditions attached, which are now in progress of being eliminated, can be stated on the authority of a cabinet officer, while Senor Pulido, charge d’affaires of the Venezuelan legation in Washington, made the statement that he had received unofficial assurances that The Hague tribunal had been accepted by all parties to the controversy. Still Negotiating. On •ccount of the diplomatic negotiations still in progress toward a removal of all conditions that are like-

ly to prove obstacles, Secretary Hay is not yet ready to make an official announcement. There is decided inclination in official circles to remain silent on the question. Only the indefinite statement is made that distinct progress toward arbitration by The Hague was reported to the cabinet meeting by Secretary Hay. In the final breaking down of impossible conditions made by Germany it can be stated on the highest authority that Great Britain has used her good offices with those of the United States government. Credit for Roosevelt. The various stages that have led up to Jhe present situation can be briefly stated, and a mere glance at them, say administration officials, will show that great credit is due to President Roosevelt and the United States government for its attitude throughout she entire controversy. The President first used the good offices of this government to suggest arbitration. The general consent to arbitration was obtained. Great Britain and Germany, once yielding on this point, made it a condition that President Roosievelt himself should be the arbitrator, a position which he refused to accept unless all other means to obtain arbitration should fail. Insists on The Hague. The President replied to this by urging The Hague tribunal as the only proper board of arbitration. He was advised by prominent members of his cabinet and statesmen in both branches of Congress not to accept the position of arbitrator, and it can be

■aM that h« never had any Idea at do* lng so, except as a last resort He Insisted that the court of The Hague was the place where International disputes of this nature should be settled. The Hague tribunal, he said, was established by the powers, and to refuse to accept It at the first important opportunity would simply amount to a declaration that The Hague tribunal was a failure. Must Arrange Terms. He now apparently has succeeded In this contention and won the most difficult and important triumph of the entire controversy. Assuming that The Hague court has been finally accepted by all the powers involved, there remain two protocols to be negotiated before the arbitration can begin. First, the presentation of conditions which must be accepted by all parties to the dispute before the arbitration court can sit. For instance, Germany, it is understood, demands cash payment of part of the obligation already claimed. It is also thought that Germany is still insisting upon an apology. On the other hand, the Venezuelan government will undoubtedly demand that the blockade of its coast shall be raised pending settlement. These conditions are now the subject of negotiations. Must Define Questions. Second, before arbitration can begin, it must also be distinctly settled precisely <vhat shall be arbitrated, and how far back the claims of the powers shall go. In regard to condition precedent to arbitration, Article viii. of The Hague agreement provides that a mere submission of arbitration does not have the effect of stopping hostilities when once acts of war have been committed. This must be done by special agreement between contending parties. The good offices of the United States to bring about such an agreement are now being offered.

Inasmuch as the Monroe doctrine of the United States is not in any sense subject to arbitration, it will not be involved.