The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-06-26
Professor Favrot. Secretary to tho Tri
bunal OF Arbitration.


certain to prove himself eminently useful to the
members of the Board of Arbitration, as well as to
the public
Mr. Favrot is the nominee OF Mr.. Staempfi, the
choice OF secretary having been gracefully ceded
to the member appointed by Switzerland as an act
OF courtesy, In consideration OF the fact that the
Board depended to very great extent on the hos
ptality OF the Swiss people Reference has already
been made to the erroneous reports circulated in
regard to the extent OF knowledge of the English
language possessed by the foreign arbitrators The
item involves considerations of the gravest nature
However high degree of proficiency person may
attain In foreign languages it must be readily con-
coded that 1t is exceedingly uncommon for men to
think In the forms and moods OF foreign language.
Irresistiby we find as our thoughts assume words
that they take more OF our native country or that
tongue which was acquired in the nursery, and
speech becomes mere translation. Exceptions are
Of couse admissible, but as rule man will preserve
even under the most trying circumstances the use
Of the mother tongue.
Diplomatic intercourse ignores completely the
Babel of tongues and French has been adopted as
the universal language in which diplomatic nego-
tiations are usually carried To certain extent
that usage must, OF necessity, obtain among the
members of the Board OF Arbitration Yet 1t should
be borne in mind that although all OF them are pro-
fcient In French not single member was born in
France. 1t is probably a matter Of speculation
what amount OF influence attaches to that fact.
Without further inquring into the question it will
become apparent that the Secretary, Mr.. Favrot,
holds o position OF great trust, and that on him
devolves an immense amount OF responsibility.
1t Is gratifying to know that Professor FavrOt Is
intimately acquainted with most of the living Ian
guages. visited that gentleman at his residence
In Berne a few days ago, and deemed it no empty
compliment when, at the termination of lengthy
n frQ IN linz
his nearly aultless English. Seldom have l heard
a foreigner express himself with so much ease and
The deplorable manner in which public docu-
ments have often been transcribed by translatOrs
and modern times. We need not go back far In
history for facts. The FrancOGerman conflict
abOunds in numerous examples OF varegated
character to illustrate the assertion. From the
very outset French documents were translated into
German in a manner which seemed to convey q
nation, while, on the other hand the text OF German
papers, when rendered in French, implied mean
Ing which could not be discovered in the original
The hurry, as well as the brevity, connected with
Geographic correspondence has generally served
as an apology. But the mischief was done. 1t will
be remembered that several days prior to the ac
tual outbreak OF hostilltes the Prussan King, as
reported by Belgian Journal had alluded to the
Seardnos oi ee as an n
used. The German text ran thus :-"Die unerhG'te
Annossung des k h. Nopoleon" INV The careful
given as "piasO ence inOai,n and that unwar-
ranted Interpretation caused an immense sensation
throughout France, the people, of course having
no opportunity to refer to the original. Hundreds
OF examples can be cited OF that character, and
even of more mischieyous tendency. | took the
liberty OF calling Mr.. Favrots attention to this
fact, and at the same time informed him that our
people would regard 1t as great source Of satisac
ton that the important oce of Secretary had Deen
entrusted to gentleman possessed with superior
knowledge OF foreign languages, and who was thus
able to avoid the dangers alluded TO.
The Court and the Duty 1t Has to Per-
GENEVA, June 0, 1872.
The balance OF power, 1t will be conceived, rests
necessarily, with three foreign arbiters. It Is,
perhaps, not presumptlve to suppose that Mr..
Adams Judgment is likely to take the best
view of the American side while Sir Alexander
Cockburn is equally likely to believe the
British view Of the case perfect as nearly
as possible, and the Judgment OF both gen.
tlemen might, In general way, be regarded as
not difncult to penetrate in advance. Neither the
British nor the American lawyers will much hope,
therefore, to influence by their arguments the two
English-speaking Judges 1t remains to be seen
what effect can be produced on the mind of the for
eign judges by the pleadings OF General Cushing
and Mr.. w. M. Evarts one side, and by Sir Roun-
dell Palmer and his coadjutors on the other side.
All the volumnous OF evidence, as well as the
cease, itself, were translated into French. Pari-
sian lawyers Of note have been employed for the
purpose and last, but not least, it may be men,
toned that Mr.. Bancroft Davis is an experienced
French scholar 1t has been not inapty suggested
that the difficulty might have found solution by
following the example OF theologians. The whole,
1t was thought might have been translated into
Latin, that being language all lawyers prospect
i've OF nationality. are supposed to know
Hotel des Bergues. He has the intention OF retiring
to villa during his stay at Geneva, but in view OF
occupied by Mr.. Gallatin, OF New York, situated on
the lake, short drive from Geneva, in one of the
lOveliest spots. Mr.. Adams Is accompanied by his
family, and apparently enjoys the rest which he is
now taking. On my calling yesterday he expressed
hope that he would not be interviewed for II such
were my intentions he could only tell me that he
had no more knowledge OF what was doing than he
presumed HERALD correspondent would already
possess. He would rather, he added look to me for
news, as he had really none to give. Mr.. Adams
conversed cheerully on current topics, but 1t struck
me that he was somewhat doubtful as to whether
the proceedings in the British Parliament had the
tendency OF saving the treaty
Mr.. Adams dined with the Prince OF Wales when
the latter passed through this city, and British sub
jects are echoing with apparent satisfaction the
Mandatory remarks which Ills Royal Highness made
respecting Mr. Adams. OF course we are entirely
In the dark what shape matters may assume by the
18th OF this month. There have been some idle ru-
mors about postponement, but those familiar with
the terms Of the treaty are fully that such is
impossible. The Court must assemble on Saturday
next; whatever course England AN, may decide on
claims will be withdrawn or whether she decides
not to 90 with the arbitration, are questions which
must be brought before the Court. The latter will,
therefore, assemble no matter whether business
comes up or not. The truth Of the matter Is well
known to all who have followed the controversy in
its various phases. II all were known, or rather If
all could be known, would be told that the Brit
ish government has ascertained the fact that Judg
ment will be given in favor OF the United States on
ali the various counts. The Judges have had the
case in hand for nearly six months, and 1t Is not
unlikely that In some way or other they have ex-
the shoulder or an omnous look must, In the
course OF conversation, have convinced the British