The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-12-04
INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION.
Action of The Hague Conference En-
dOPsed.

dOrsed.
1t Is with satisfaction that I am able
to announce the formal notification at
The Hague, en- September 4, Of the de-
post Of ratiications of the Convention for
the Pacific Settlement OF International
Disputes by sixteen Powers. namely, the
United States, Austria, Belgium, Den
mark. England. France. Germany. Italy.
Persia, Portugal, Roumania, Russia, Slam.
| Spain, Sweden and Norway. and the
| Netherlands. Japan also has since rati-
| fed the convention
The Administrative Council OF the Per-
maEent Court Of Arbitration has been or
| ganized and has adopted rules Of order
and constitution for the international
Arbitration Bureau. In accordance with
Article XIII of the Convention provid-
| ing for the appointment by each signasory
power of persons of known competency in
questions CT International law as arbi-
traitors, I have appointed az members CT
| this court, Hen. Benjamin Harrison, OK
Indiana. exPresident of tie United States:
Hon. Melville w. Fuller. Of Illinois. Chief
Justice of the United States; Hon. John
W. Griggs of New Jersey. Attorney Gen.
eral of the United States. and Hon. George
Gray Of Delaware. judge Of the circuit
court OF the United states.
As an incident of the brief revolution in
the Mosquito district Of Nicaragua early
in 1899 the insurgents forcibly collected
from American merchants duties upon
imports. On the restoration OF order the
Nicaraguan authorities demanded sec
ond payment Of such duties on the ground
that they were due to the tituiar Govern
ment and that their diversion had aided
the revolt.
This position was not accepted by us.
After prolonged discussion a compromise
was effected under which the amount Cf
the second payments was deposited Wit
te British Consul at San Juan del Nofte
in trust until the two Governments should
determine whether the first payments had
been made under compulsion to de .aeto
authority. Agreement as to this was not
reached, and the point was waived by the
act Of the Nicaraguan Government in re-
questing the British Consul to return the
deposits to the merchants.
Central American Affairs.
Menacing differences between several Of
the Central American States have been
accommodated, our Ministers rendering
good offices toward an understanding.
The aIl-important matter of an inter-
oceanic canal has assumed new phase.
Adhering to it's refusal to reopen the
question of the forfeiture Of the contract
of the Maritime Canal Company, which
was terminated for alleged nonexecution
in October. 1899, the Government of Mica
ragua has since supplemented that action
by declaring the so-styled Eyre-Cragin
option void for non-payment of the stipT
ulated advance. Protests in relation to
these acts have been filed in the State De-
partment and are under consideration.
Deeming itself relieved from existing en-
gagements, the Niearaguan Government
shows a disposition to deal freely with
the canal question either in the way of
negotiations with the United States or by
taking measures to promote the water
way.
Overtures for convention to effect the
building of 4 canal under the auspices OF
the United States are under considera-
ton. In the mean time, the views OF the
Congress- uDop the general subject, in the
ligh. of the report of the commission ap-
pointed to examine the comparative mer-
its Of the various trans-isthmian ship
canal projects, may be awaited.
/ commend TO the early attention of the
Senate the Convention with Great Britain
to facilitate the construction OF such
canal and to remove any objection which
might arise out of the convention COM
monty called the Clayton-Bulwer Treaty
The long standing contention with Por-
tugal, growing out OF the SEIZURE OIL the
Delagoa Bay Railway. has been at last
determined by a favorable award OF the
tribunal of arbitration at Berre. to winch
it was submitted. The amount OF the
award which was deposited in London
awaiting arrangements by the Govern
ments Of the United States and Great
Britain for its disposal. has recently been
paid over to the two Governments.
A lately signed Convention Of Extradi-
ton with Peru as amended by the Senate
has been ratified by the Peruvian Con-
gress.
Another illustration of the policy of This
government TO refer inteFEst'en4l 'is-
bikes .s frr rtlal arbitration IS seen IN
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