Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-27
THE HAGUE TRIBUNAL
COURT THAT WILL HEAR THE
VENEZUELA DISPUTES.
Without Power to Enforce Its Judg-
ments-Depends on Honor of
Parties Engaged.
From the New York Times.

From the New York Times.
As it has been practically determined that
the Venezuelan dispute shall be referred to
The Hague tribunal, the constitution of that
tribunal and it's methods Of procedure are
matters of general interest The conven-
ton by which the tribunal was instituted
pr divided for its organization. methods OF
procedure. and rules Of conduct.
The powers who have recourse to arbitra-
ton sign a special act which implies the
undertaking of the parties to submit Loyalty
to the award.
Each of the signatory powers has selected
judges who are permanent members of the
arbitration court and appointed for a term
OF six years. The arbitrators who will form
the tribunal for the determination Of the
matters referred to the permanent court
are chosen by the parties to the controversy
through the agency Of the permanent coun-
Gill; which is composed Of the diplomatic
body at The Hague. If the parties fail to
agree on the composition Of the arbitration
tribunal each party appoints two arbitra-
tors, and these two choose an umpire.
The tribunal Of arbitration assemblies on
the date fixed by the parties. The right to
appoint delegates or special agents to at
tend for the purpose of serving as inter-
mediaries is accorded each party There
are also given the right to retain counsel,
who may present orally all the arguments
trey THINK exponent.
Unless there be an agreement to the con-
trary, the acceptance OF mediation cannot
have the effect of interrupting or delaying
or hindering mobilization or other measure
for the preparation of war and hostilities
are not interrupted by the acceptance of
mediation unless there be an agreement.
Private Deliberations
The deliberations of the tribunal take
place in private. and every decision is by "a
majority. The award given must be accom-
panied by a statement OF reasons drawn up
in writing and signed by each member OF
the board. Minority members may record
their dissent when signing. The award duly
pronounced and notified to the agents OF the
parties at variance puts an end to the dis
pute definitely, and without appeal, al
though application may be made for re-
vision.
The tribunal has its ordinary seat at The
Hague. and except in cases OF necessity the
place Of session can be altered only with the
assent of the parties to the controversy.
Venezuela was not one of the signatory
powers. but the convention provided that
the Jurisdiction Of the tribunal may. within
conditions laid down in the regulations, be
extended to disputes between non-signatory
powers or between signatory and non-sig-
natory powers, If the parties are agreed on
recourse to the tribunal
The Hague tribunal, the highest In the
world, peculiarly enough is probably the
only one that has no power to enforce its
judgments. That subject was considered in
the conference which led to its creation. No
nation would surrender any sovereignty,
however, and so it was agreed that the
satisfaction of any judgment made should
be left to the honor of the parties concern
ed. 1t was because of the fact that the
allies felt uncertain whether Venezuela
would fulfill any award against that coun-
try that they objected to reference of the
dispute to the court.
The Court of Arbitration.
Judges of the Venezuelan dispute would
be chosen from among these members Of
the permanent court of arbitration:
Germany-Herr Bigner. LID; Herr De
Frantxius associate counsel Of the depart
ment of foreign affairs In Berlin; Herr De
Martitz. LID. and Herr De Bar LID.
Austria-Frederick Schonborn, LII. D.;