The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-08

United States.
Claims Against Venezuela.
1t will be remembered that during the
second session of the last Congress Great
Britain, Germany and Italy formed an al
lance for the purpose of blockading the
ports of Venezuela and using such other
means Of pressure as would secure set
Element of claims due, as they alleged. to
certain of their subjects. Their employ
ment of force for the collection Of these
claims was terminated by an agreement
brought about through the Offices Of the
Diplomatic representatives of the United
state at Caracas and the government al
Washington, thereby cndng a situation
which was bound to cause increasing fric-
ton, and which jeoparded the peace of the
continent. Under this agreement Venezuela
agreed to set apart certain percentage OF
the customs receipts of two of her ports tn
be applied to the payment of whatever OBJ
legations might be ascertained by mixed
commissions appointed for that purpose to
be due from her, not only to the three pow
ers already mentioned, whose proceedings
against her had resulted in state of war,
but also to the United States, France,
Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands Sweden
and Norway, and Mexico. who had not en-
ployed force for the collection of the claims
zens.
A demand was then made by the so-caled
blockading powers that the sums ascer-
tanned TO be due to their citizens by such
mixed commissions should be accorded pay
ment in full before anything paid upon
the claims OF any of the so-caI1ed peace
powers. Venezuela, on the other hand in
sisted that all her creditors should be paid
upon basis of exact equality.
Arbitration at The Hague.
During the efforts to adjust this dispute
it was suggested by the powers in interest
hot CHI I>a
cision. but 1 was clearly of the opinion that
a tar wiser course would be to submit the
question to the Permanent Court of Arbi-
tration at The Hague. 1t seemed to me to
offer an admirable opportunity to advance
the practice Of the peaceful settlement of
disputes between nations and to secure for
The Hague Tribunal memorable increase
of its practical Importance. The nations in
ferested in the controversy were so numer-
Gus and in many instances so powerful as
to make 1t evident that beneficial results
would follow from their appearance at the
same, time before the bar of that august
tribunal of peace.
Our hopes in that regard have been real
lied. Russia and Austria are represented in
the persons OF the learned and distin-
suished jurists who compose the Tribunal
while Great Britain, Germany, France,
Spain, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands,
Sweden and Norway. Mexico. the United
States, and Venezula are represented by
their respective agents and counsel. Such
an imposing concourse of nations present
ing their arguments to and invoking the de-
cison of that high court of international
justice and international peace can hardly
fail to secure a like submission of many
future controversies. The nations now APP
pearing there will find ii far easier to ap-
pear there a second time, while no nation
can imagine its just pride will be lessened
by following the example now presented.
This triumph of the principle of inter-
national arbitration is a subject of warm
congratuation and offers a happy augury
for the peace of the world.