The times., 1899-06-16
VENEZUELA ARBITRATION.
incidents of ie First Regular Meet
Ing of the Tribunal

Ing of the Tribunal.
Paris, June 15.-The first regular meet
ing of the Venezuelan arbitration commit
tee took place today, the sitting being in
the apartments in the Foreign Office where
the Behring Sea tribunal and the Spanish
American Peace Commissioners met The
proceedings were public and considerable
interest was manifested. Many ladies were
present The five arbitrators sat in arm
chairs on raised platform. The chairs
were upholstered in red and gold. Baron
Russell of Killowen, Lord Chief Justice of
England. and Chief Justice Melville w.
Fuller, OF the United States Supreme
Court, sat, respectively, at the right and
left OF Prof. Martens, OF Russia, the UNI
pire. The court entered in formal session
accompanied by NJ. Delcasse, Minister of
Foreign Affairs, who, in a graceful speech,
welcomed the Commissioners and thanked
them for selecting Paris as the place OF
meeting. He said among other things:
Under the presidency OF Prof. De Mar
tens. whose authority is universal, your
work can only have satisfactory issue for
the interests in dispute. The issue wi
also be happy for the cause of humanity,
for once more 1t consecrates by practical
example the noble idea which fell from an
illustrious throne and rapidly made way
to the hearts and consciences OF the ma
TONS
Prof. De Martens thanked NJ. Delcasse
for his welcome and his reference to the
noble scheme of the speakers illustrious
master. 1t was, he said, solemn moment
and significant fact that while the Peace
Conference was sitting at The Hague two
nations should meet to arbitrate an inter-
national difficulty.
After Prof. De Martens had concluded
naIe xrfth ha
business of the tribunal began. 1t was
announced that owing to Prof. De Martens
duties at The Hague the court would at
present meet only. twice a week, After
The Hague conference was ended 1t would
meet four times a week.
Sir Richard Webster then announced
that an agreement had been made to pro-
coed thus: The first speech would be in
behalf of Great Britain, then two speeches
for Venezuela, and after that, one each
for Great Britain and Venezuela and then
another one for Great Britain and one for
Venezuela, which would have the final
word.
Sir Richard, after complimentary allu-
sion to the previous appearance of Baron
Russell and himself in the Behring Sea
arbitration, began to outline the British
case in an intricate and detailed statement.
He contended that the arbitration treaty
present century to be taken into account
in the contention. 1t was suggested in
December, 1898, that nothing subsequent
to 1914 could be taken into account. Eng
land could not ascent to that.
Former President Harrison interposed
and assented generally to Sir Richards
statements. but said he desired the trbun-
al to examine the whole diplomatic corre-
spondence, so 1t could see on what ground
the position was based. Sir Richard agreed
to this but firmly adhered to his former
contention. He then proceeded to oppose
Venezuela's claim to a certain unit of
Guiana bounded by the Orinoco and Am
azon rivers. He declared that IL such a
claim was admitted it would oust Brazil.
France, Holland. and Great Britain from
almost the whole territory. The tribunal
then adjourned.
Sir Richard Webster's speech is likely to
occupy several days.
Prof. de Martens will travel to and from
The Hague twice a week at present The
next sitting will probably be on June 81.