The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-05-20
new HITCH OYER VENEZUELA.
SNAIL POUERS BiLK AT THE
.tRBITR4TION ARRANGEMENTS.
OBJECT 10 Wayne NacVeash's Appo'ntmeh'
as Counsel for Them AT The hague
Say the United states Acted WHho'l'
Authority In Naming Iiini-S'iShted'

arrangements for the arbitration ~ '"e
Hague growing out Of the Venezuelan
troubles is charged by representatives oil
those nations In Washington. big diplo-
matte storm Is raging. and there IA rehSo"
to believe that consideration will be given
to the question of revoking the appoint
ment OF the Hon. Wayne MacVeagh az
agent and counsel before The Hague
tribunal for the nations which dld not
engage in the blockade of Venezuelan
ports. As a result of this agitation, not
single Misunderstanding European Govern
ment has consented to become party TO
the arbitration. Only the United states
and Mexico have 30 far adhered 10 the
arbitration protocol made by Venezuela
with England, Germany and Italy
The trouble appears to have arisen prl-
mariy from the fact that The Hague pro
tocols signed by the representatives OF
England Germany. Italy and NerezNela
were not presented to the representatives
Of the peace Powers until after they had
been signed and when II was impossible 10
make changes. These protocols provlded
that The Hague court should pass upon
the contention Of the European allies that
they were entitled 20 have their claims
against Venezuela raid first because their
coercive measures compelled the South
American Cove nment to agree to liquidate
all it's national debts.
Had this contention been conceded by
Venezuela the OF her nations having claims
against her would be obliged to wait for
several wears, or until she got through
paving the allies. before getting cent OF
the money due them. 1t was, therefore, to
the interest of the Misunderstanding Powers
to oppose the principle Of preferential
treatment, and they were heartily in favor
of referring the question involved to The
Hague court for adjustment.
The protocols for The Hague arbitration
were drawn on the understanding that the
-blockading Powers would adhere to
their terms and thus present solid front
against the unprecedented contention of
England Germany and Italy that nation
which uses force to collect debts is entitled
TO greater consideration than a nation
which seeks to secure payment through
ordinary diplomatic means.
Protocols signed on Feb II, between the
blockading Powers and Venezuela provided
the manner in which money should be
set aside by the South American nation 70
pay all it's national debts. and also THAI the
BE- be@s decided By The Hague court under
conditions - be set forth in subsequent
protocol
Immediately after the signing the United
States Government suggested that MT
MacVeigh. who had been United States
Attorney General and American Ambassa-
dor to Italy and was distinguished lawyer
be chosen as he common agent OF the
nations which would oppose before The
Hague tribunal the assertion OF England,
Germany and Italy. II was understood at
the time that the selection Of Mr.. MacVeigh
was perfectly acceptable to the peace
Powers. Subsequently the appointment OF
Mr.. MacVeagh as agent and counsel OF
the peace nations was announced, ana
later that William R. Penfeld, Solicitor OF
the State Department, and Herbert W.
Bowen, United States Minister to Nene-
zuela and the representative to Venezuela
in the peace negotiations. would assist
him.
On Nav the protocols for a reference
TO The Hague tribunal of the dispute over
the question Of preferential treatment wer"
signed in Washington by The represent atives
of England. Germany, Italy and Venezuela
Immediately thereafter they We're pre-.
sented 10 The Government Of the United
States and the diplomatic representatives
here of the other Misunderstanding Powers
having claims against Venezuela, namely
France, Spain. Mexico, The Netherlands,
Belgium and Sweden and Norway Den
mark also has claims against venezuela.
but had withdrawn from participation IN
the Washington negotiations. Secretary
Hay for the United States and Senior de
Asplroz, the Mexican Ambassador. for his
Government, promptly signed stipula-
ton Of adherence to The Hague proto-
coils and then the storm of European IN
dignation broke forth.
Baron Moncheur the Belgian Minister
and Baron Covers. the, Dutch Minister,
have apparently been the most active in
posed to have the peace Powers part icipate
in tho Hague arbitration. but the repre-.
sentatives of other European non-blockad
ing nations have been quite as earnest
if not so energetic. 1t is said by these that
the United States Government had no
right to select MIR Macyeagh as the repre-
sentative before the Hague court OF the
nations opposed to the contention of the
blockading powers. 1t Is said even that
the other peace nations did not get an oppor-
place to which Mr.. MacVeagh has been
assigned
The prominence of the United States
in this particular PRESENTED for the reason
that the American claims amount to much
ess than those Of some other nations. ,nota-
Div France. Belgium, Holland and Spain.
Why. therefore. it is asked. should the
United States assume TO run the whole
proceedings for the peace Powers before
the Hague court? And who is Mr. Wayne
there not lawyers in France and Spain
and other countries who have greater
reputation as authorities on international
law? Besides, 1t is asserted. the repre-
seniatives here of the European peace
Powers were not consulted as to the terms
governing the arbitration in which they
are now expected to take part; in fact,
did not know anything about the matter
officially until the protocols were presented
to them with request that they assent
As matters now stand the United States
! and Mexico are the only non -bockading
! Powers which are committed to the Hague
| Adjudication Should the tribunal decide
| tina, the Notwithstanding Powers mist pay
! the cost of the arbitration. the United
States Mexico, and Venezuela must bear
| the entire expense. while the European
peace nations. whose interests will be just
| as much invol we'd, will not lcse a penny.
| In other words. the presen, attitude OF the
! European nations having claims against
Venezuela is that of letting the United
States and Venezuel la pull the chestnnts
| out of the fire for heir benefit
| II the preferential treatment contention
is disalowed by the court, France. Spain,
| Belgium and the others will share in the
benefits Of the victory. II this content ion
Is allowed and the costs decreed gainst
those who oppore IL. France and the others
will not be out Of pocket.
just what attention will be given by this
! Government "a the criticisms Of other non
! blockading nat ions has not been determined
| but II IL expected that they will be asked
to say definitely whether Mr. MacNeagh's
| appointment is obis ctionable to them.