New-York tribune., 1902-12-27
TO THE HAGUE.

An agreeable epilogue to the good cheer OF
Christmas Day is found in this mornings news
concerning the settlement OF the Venezuelan
troubles They are by the mutual consent OF
both sides 10 be submitted TO the tribunal at
The Hague for arbitration. Perhaps we might
add that that disposition Of them has been ef-
fected by something more than mutual consent.
The moral influence of the United States acting
as q neutral power benevolently disposed tow
srd both sides in the dispute, has been strongly
and We may believe, effectively directed toward
that end. In assuming such an attitude toward
the dispute, and especially toward the hattering
proposals of American Presidential arbitration,
the administration has finely vindicated its wis
dom and its conservatism. There have been,
down to the eleventh hour, persistent rumors
from more than one capital, and noticeably
from the Washington correspondents-in which
almost their wish seemed father to the thought
that the President would accept the invitation
TO serve as arbitrator. From the spectacular, not
TO say sensational point Of view such action
by him might have seemed magnificent but it
would not have been the most judicious form Of
craftsmanship. The possible embarrassments
Of il would have been too grave The Tribune
at the outset showed in detail some Of the OBJ
sections TO such arbitration, and some of the
reasons why reference TO The Hague is far
preferable, and it has had, in spite of all dis
quieting rumors, a serene confidence that the
sound judgment Of the government at Wash
sngton was and would continue to be in favor Of
the latter course
1t is 10 be assumed that there will now be the
least possible delay in getting the case before
the tribunal and In pressing it to conclusion.
AS we have hitherto pointed out the constitu-
tion Of the tribunal permits much expedition
of procedure, as well as wide latitude of form.
The trial may be held at The Hague, or at Lon
don, or at Caracas, or at Washington, or at any
place the litigants may select. The special
tribunal itself may be constituted from the
membership OF the permanent court in almost
any way pleasing &c the disputants. There
seems TO be no good reason therefore why the
case should not be brought promptly TO trial
snd TO determination What will occur In the
mean time however short that time may be-
is q matter for arrangement between the parties
to the dispute. 1t would certainly be graceful
thing, and one calculated to reduce to the mini
mum the danger of unpleasant complications in
other quarters, for the plaintiff powers TO sus-
pend hostile operations against Venezuela and
TO raise the warlike blockade of Venezuelan
ports pending the decision of the court The
Treaty Of The Hague does not dictate such ces-
setion, but ii gives pertinent suggestion that II
xAEy ut Suecteu Dy specldi agreement
This disposition of the case should of course
give final quietus to all talk about venezuela's
good faith being guaranteed by the United
States or indeed by any other power. There
has never seemed adequate reason for asking
Cor such a guarantee. With all her unhappy
turbulence. # is not to be doubted that Venezuela
viii scrupulousy accept and fulfil whatever
award the arbitral tribunal may make AS the
Treafy Of The Hague says. the submission of
case 10 the tribunal implies an agreement by
~each party TO submit in good faith TO the de