New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-01-04

sv-,na.btes and POLITICAL considerations IN one
direction or another that 1t is difficult TO under
stand how any ruler can ever accept the role OF
umpire or why nations should apply to him 10
settle their differences rather than refer them 10
tribunal composed Of several men OF different
nationalities
There is no more fair minded. upright and SEN
sible sovereign in all Europe than King Oscar OF
Sweden, a great-grandson Of that old French
village notary at Pau whose son rose from the
ranks of French infantry regiment OF the line
to the place of King OF Sweden and OF Norway
Invited 10 arbitrate in the controversies that
have arisen among Germany. the United States
and Great Britain in connection with Samoa. he
has recently rendered decision in favor OF
Germany, which has aroused good deal Of
criticism both in this country and Great Britain.
Indeed some OF the English papers have not
hesitated 10 assert that King Oscar was. perhaps
unintentionauy biassed in favor Of Germany by
the secret military convention which is under
stood to exist between him and Emperor Will
lam, with view to combined military and naval
operations in the event Of any German war with
Russia, Emperor william in return pledging
himself to assist King Oscar TO repel any danger
to his throne from without OF from within
There is no doubt that King Oscar gave his
Samoan award in accordance with what he be-
Heved to be the strict merits OF the case But
there viii always be large number of persons
on both sides of the Atlantic who will be dis
posed 20 believe that his intimate political rela-
tons and ties of close personal friendship with
the Kaiser were not without prejudicing him.
perhaps Internationally, in favor Of Germany.
Young King Victor Emmanuel has recently
been selected as arbitrator In the boundary dis
pute between Great Britain and Brazil. and
King Edward has within the last few weeks
rendered as umpire award in a conflict OF
the same character between Chill and Peru, al
though neither he nor yet his brother monarch
OF Italy has ever visited the southern portion
of this hemisphere, and are very much IN the
dark about the political and geographical con-
ditions of that restless portion OF the Western
Hemisphere Old Emperor William, fine SOL
der and chivalrous gentleman. but who under
stood nothing whatever about international law
was called upon to determine the so-called san
Juan boundary question between the United
States and Great Britain. which he did IN loIZ
in a. manner the reverse Of satisfactory TO Eng
land The late Emperor Of Russia, who knew
little about South America and cared less, was
invited to arbitrate in the dispute between
France and Holland on the subject OF the ooun-
DIARIES Of their colonial possessions in Guiana
The late King Of the Belgians figured as UNI
pire in difficulty between the United States
and Chilli in connection with the seizure OF specie
on board the United States brig Macedonian oy
the CHILEAN fleet The late King of Spain, and
after his death his widow, the Queen Regent,
acted as arbitrator in boundary conflicts be-
tween Colombia and Venezuela and between
Peru and Ecuador.
Marshal MacMahoD while President Of the
French Republic was appointed umpire IN
Great Britafn's dispute with Portugal on the
subject of various territories and Islands IN
Delagoa Bay and although justly renowned for
his personal honesty and a political integrity
which caused him to resign the chief mag
istracy rather than be a party to an act or the
ministers and Of the legislature which ne did
not approve, nevertheless. rendered an award 50
n1anifestIy unfair in favor of Portugal, and SO
obviously prompted by Gallo prejudice against
Great Britain that it remains TO this day as
one of the most striking examples or bias ana