The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1872-11-01
How the Geneva Tribunal Worked

u
Caleb Cushing, since his return to this coun-
try, has explained to reporter some points Of
general interest concerning the Geneva Trib-
unal, as for instance:
Reporter-And now as to another point.
Why did the Geneva Board insist on working
and dellberating with closed doors-in fact,
doing things so secretly that not even the
press could get information of what was going
on?
Mr.. Cushing There has been a.ereat deal
said about this point, and it seems to have
been generally misunderstood. The fact was
THE SESSIONS OF THE TRIBUNAL
were great deal more open than the sittings
of tribunals ordinarily. When Judges delib-
ate do they usually do so before every one?
What judiciary tribunal allews any person to
be present while it is discussing its decisionY
Then why should the judges Of the Geneva
tribunal-for they sat as judges of the highest
cases-allOw their discussions to be broken in
to by anybodyP Indeed, there was no reason
why they should even allow the agents and
the counsel of the respective governments to
be present at their deliberations, but this was
done as d mark of courtesy to the two great
powers.
The arbitrators considered, and very proper
ly, that it would hardly do to have the papers
discussing their decisions as they were going
on. And how would it looked to have delhi.
Grated on such important matters before the
public gazeT 1t does not seem to have struck
people generally that these gentlemen were
judges, celebrating upon verdict. There
was no deliberating or argument during the
sessions of the Board of Arbitrators.
EVERYTHING WAS WRITTEN,
and was presented to the board in a printed
form. Before the court had opened at ali the
United States had presented eight octave, and
England five folio volumes, and all these had
to be carefully studied. In all, the proceed
ings take up some twenty-four volumes.
Reporter-How did the board do its work.
Mr.. Cushing-The papers would be taken
home and read and studied. Even the me-
chanical labor Of reading such q mass of pap
eTs over was something. This is Why the
board was obliged to adjourn from time to
time. The adopts had the business of reading
over and presenting the papers for the consid-
GRAFTON of the board. A large part of the pap
ers were read aloud. The proceedings were
of the most dignifed character. Very seldom
anything approaching a Joke was broached,
but Of course 1t would be more than human
nature could stand to go through all this dry
stuff without something to relieve it OCCASION
ally think l never saw anything more dig
nitied and more impressive than on the last
day, when Count Scolopis, the President of
the Board, read the award. On this occasion
the press was admitted, and the wives and
families of the arbitrators and council on each
side. In all about thirty-three sessions of
the board were held, stretching over a period
of three months, from the 14th of June to the
10Th of September, Sometimes three and
again four sessions were held in each week.
Reporter-Are the arbitrators to be compen-
sated for these servsces?
Mr.. Cushing = When the governments
agreed to leave the matter to the decision of
arbitrators belonging to
NEUTRAL POWERS
they asked Italy, Brazil and Switzerland to
appoint one each, and agreed to remunerate
them for their services JOINTLY. 1t was not to
be expected that such services would be graf
uitous.
Reporter-What were the relations between
the different parties composing the Tribunal
were the arbitrators friendly and sociabIe
among each other?
Mr.. Cushing-Oh, yes; we visited among
ourselves, and were on pleasant and amicable
terms.
RepOrter-How was it about Sir Alexander
Cockburn, the English arbitrator
Mr. Cushing-Well, he remained entirely
private, and neither visited nor received any
visits. We wondered at it ourselves, though
this is matter on which I would rather not
touch. Otherwise very pleasant sociability
existed among us.
Reporter presume you are glad the whole
matter is terminated2
Mr.. Cushing-HeartiIyg glad. I t was a ter
rible bore all through. 1 am proud of the sue
cess we have had, to be sure, but I have
NEVER DONE DRIER WORK
in my life. The moral effect of this decision
is Incalculable. We felt aggrieved as a peo-
pie and had just cause for war. But we did
not want to go to war and proposed to settle
our difficulties amicably. England did not
wish TO 60 to war any more than we did. and
MET Us HALF WAY
in our proposals. You see the great result,
and every nation should rejoice with US, and,
indeed, it does.