New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-02-23
AGAINST VENEZUELA.
BLOCKADES UPHELD.
United States Commissioned to
Carry Out the Hague Decision.

powers Great Britain. Germany and Italy, have
the right TO preference Of 80 per cent OF the
customs duties at La Guayra and Porto CabeEo.
me htgants 20 pay their own costs in the pro-
oedure and divide equally the costs Of the tri-
bunal The United states is commissioned to
carry out the decision OF the tribunal within
three months.
In giving judgment The tribunal points out
that II has been Eulded by international law
anu the equity Of the case. and that the pro
toeols signed at Washington since February Is.
l''o. and particularly the protocol Of Nav =
whereof the obligatory nature cannot be doubt
iui' form the legal basis OF its sentence. that
the tribunal IS not competent to question the
jurisdiction Of the mixed commissions at Cara
cas- or TO judge their action or the character
OF the warlike operations OF the hlockading
powers OF 10 decide II the three blockading
powers exhausted all pacific means to prevent
the necessity for employing force.
The tribunal decides that it is only in a po-
sition to certify that since 1901 Venezuela re-
FUSED arbitration, proposed on several occa-
SONS by Germany and Great Britain: that after
The war no formal treaty Of peace was conclud-
ed; THAI the operations Of the bIockaders were
stopped before the nations concerned had re-
celve1 satisfaction for all their claims. and,
further, that the question Of preferential treat
ment was submitted to arbitration. The TIL
bunsl declares that il found and recognized in
these facts precious evidence in favor Of the
great principle OF arbitra ton I'm all phases OF
international conflict
STANDING OF THE NEUTRAL POWERS.
In Rdhering 10 the protocols the blockaders
could not have intended to reuounce their ac-
CURED rights or their privileged. de facto po-
siuon. The government Of Venezuela itself had
recognized in principle the validity OF their
claims while It had not recognized those OF the
b1o0I-- -
January, 1903. made net the slightest protest
against the claims for preferential treatment.
Throughout the diplomatic negotiations Venez-
uela constantly distinguished between the allied
powers and the neutrals. These latter not hav-
ing protested against the claims for preference
OF the blockadinE powers either at the time
TIRE war stopped or Immediately after the sig
nature Of the protocol Of February 13. the gov
eminent OF Venezuela only agreed IN respect to
the allied powers 20 offer special guarantees for
the fulflmert OF its engagements. The good
faith which should direct international relations
imposes the duty on the tribunal OF declaring
that the words all claims" employed by the
Venezuelan representative IN the negotiations
with the representatives Of the allied powers,
could relate only 10 the latter powers Neu-
trails could in Some respect profit by the cir
cumstanoes created by the operations % the
war without acquiring new rights the rights al
MURAvIEFF DEPLOREs THE WAR
In the decision the United States Is charged
merely 10 supervise the carrying out OF the de-
cision regarding costs.
After the delivery Of the decision President
NIuravIer1 the Russian Minister OF Justice. in
short speech declared that the findings had
been reached after most minute and most
Impartial investigation. Like all human acts.
he added the decision was susceptible 20 criu-
cIsrn but now 70 was made every one should
accept 10. The arbitration. begun in times OF
peace. had ended amid the sinister acts az war,
which was a terrible obstacle In the path 81
light ana progress. Tn spite ~ all good VIII.
no one was secure against an unexpected hostile
attack nation was obliged 70 accept q war
when the legitimate defence o. honor and lib
ertv was involved. The just Providence which
ruled over battles would distinguish between
right and unfounded preteusons. At the end
OF this war between European and an Asiatio
people the right would shine out afresh
The president concluded by saying that the
Hague Arbitration Tribunal remains always the
rampant Of Justice truth and reason and the
sublime hope OF the future.
An attempt was made sy warshps Of England
and Germany 70 collect forcibly claims against
Venezuela December :. 1902 After bomoaTa-
rnent Of Puerto Cabello few days later the good
Offices Of this country for arbitration rendered
After Italy had Joined the other powers and NeneE
uelan ports had been blockaded. the powers asked
President Roosevelt 20 arbitrate. He declined. ana
urged putting the matter before The Hague TIL /
bunal This the powers and Venezuela accepted /
about the FIRST OF last year. and Minister Bowen /
came TO Washington and arranged terms with the I
foreign ambassadors 50 that protocols were ar /
ranged with Germany. England and Italy on Feb /
ruary L. and with all the other countries /
including the United States. which put in claims
xhe first instalment of the indemnity. $500. /
vas paid on March L. 10 Germany. and diplomatic /
relations were resumed Claims for priority OF /
payment were advanced by England. Germany ana .
Italy and IN April Minister Bowen presented a /
protocol IN regard 10 referring these preferential
claims to The Hague Court Of Arbitration This
provided for the appointment b. Russia Of three
a-bttrators 10 form permanent court no one 10 DC
a subject citizen OF the sgnatory powers, 10 de-
ternins how per cent OF the customs receipts or
Venezuela should be divided between the nations /
having claims This was signed IN May, and in
September Russia appointed NJ. MoUravien For
eirn Minister ef Russia: Professor Lammason. Of
Austria and n. de Martens. professor Of inter
national law at the University OF 81 PsteTsoITs;
held on october J.. The counsel Of the powers
present included Minister Bowen. WAYNE Mac
Neagb and William l. Penheld. solicitor OF the
Tde Arguments were presented between Novem-
Der and y. and the entire ground for privileged
- sy,e i5b5, hens coTfoed ~ Using the order II
payment the time for putting IN cai.ls was NM
allies was that il was their show Of force tnat
brought about settlement
Ten mixed commissions met az Caracas, Nenez-
Claims Of the various countries. each composed q
citizen OF the country concerned and a NsRhsz5
member appointed 10y disinterested goyerTInet-.
year. The awards made include $500 10 c trs
United States. $4,000 20 France. Ss54.Jy 70 Ger
Other claims are those Of italy Sweden. Ho-il'''
MT