New-York tribune., 1902-12-28
W4SHINGTON'S OPINION.
Permanence ard Usefulness Of The
Hague Court assured.
GBY TELEGRAPH TO The TRIBUNE.I


Washington, Dec 2T.-President Roosevelt's
action in bringing about a reference OF the
Venezuelan controversy to The Hague tribunal
has. In the opinion of officials of the administra-
ton and members of the diplomatic corps in
Washington. assured the permanence and future
usefulness OF that great International court. The
prestige Of that tribunal would have received q
severe blow il the European governments. after
joining in it's creation for the pacific settlement
of just such international disputes. had declined
to refer to it the first ease in which they were
involved. II the Venezuelan case can be settled
by The Hague tribunal in such way to be-
reasonably satisfactory 10 the parties at inter-
est and to convince the world that substantial
justice has been done long step will be taken
in the direction of establishing precedent
which win lead 20 the reference Of future con-
troversies to The Hague court instead of resort
ing to force for their settlement.
Some further exchanges of diplomatic notes
will still be necessary before the protocol for
the submission of the controversy 20 arbitration
is negotiated. but it is not believed that there
will be any failure in carrying out the present
programme There is only one little cloud in
the diplomatic horizon. This is the German In
sistence that as a precedent 10 referring the
claims of German citizens 10 arbitration. the
Venezuelan Government shall pay 100000 to
Germany 20 heal the wounded national honor
of that country. 1t Is feared that II Germany
insists on this payment and President Castro
stubbornly refuses TO pay it, ugly situation
will arise which may delay the reference to
The Hague tribunal It is not believed that
even this can prevent the ultimate resort to
arbitration. for the reason that the enlightened
public sentiment OF the world has been aroused
to such an extent that any government which
might be responsible for blocking the way 20 a
peaceful solution would be universally con-
demned
Negotiations have not yet reached the point
of considering the place where the arbitration
protocol will be drawn up 1t is possible that
washington will be chosen. although one of the
European capitals may be selected Caracas is
believed to be out OF the question, most OF
the European nations concerned are at present
without diplomatic representation there, except
through the channel of the American legation.
Some days are expected to intervene before
this point is settled. An important feature OF
this protocol viii oe the arrangement OF a
rodus vivendi to remain in effect pending the
final award of the arbitral tribunal In con-
nection with this point the question Of whether
the blockade is to be raised at once will be
sidered 1t is believed here that an arrange
ment will be made in the protocol for the i'm
mediate abolition of all restraints on commerce
with Venezuelan ports, although the powers
may insist that provision be made for setting
aside a part Of the Venezuelan customs re-
ceipts TO form the nucleus of fund for the pay
ment of the prospective award OF the court