New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-11-28
KINGS AS ARBIrERS.
american Republics Prefer a Boy
Monarch to the Court of The Hague.

King Afousos selection by the two American
republics of Nicara qua and Honduras as arbitrator
in the controversy which has arisen between these
two countries with regard to their respective bound
arles-a question in which United States capitalists
who have Investments in Nicaragua are interested
to the tune OF several million do,lars-serves to
call attention once more TO the eccentricity which
almost invariably characterizes the choice OF arbi
traitors in international disputes such as these.
During the last hundred years there have been
more than fourscore international dificulues-I
leave out those Of minor iuportance-which have
been settled by arbitration, and inasmuch as the
United States and the South American republics
are responsible FOR about tvo-thirds Of the entire
number it is remarkable that in the vast majority
Of instances monarchs should have been called upon
TO figure as u,nr5.es. Cynical persons might find
therein ground for arguing that people on this side
Of the Atlantic entertain far greater regard Tor
the justice of the so-caIled Anointed Of the Lord
than is consonant with the doctrines Of democracy
that constitute the foundation Of this great com
nouweaIth.
King Alfonso is a lad Of barely eighteen, who has
not Yet completed his education. being stln IN the
hands OF tutors. and the idea Of choosing nm as
supreme judge in a boundary contest between Two
American republics IS to say the least comlcaI.
However. it is quite a line with previous seiec-
/ lions Of royal arbtraJors among whom nave been
the drunken and dssolute King OF Holland Ma
poIeon III most unscrupuIous Of InonaTchs and as
nveterate a consprator after his accession TO me
/ throne as in the days when he still political
refugee: the late Emperor William, who though
chIvarous gentleman and an ex ceent soldier, un-
derstood nothing about international law; the late
( King Victor Emmanuel, King Oscar OF sweden
King Leopold Of Belgium. and. indeed. almost the
/ entire gamut Of Old World monarchs.
As a general rule. these mOnarchs have turned
over the cases referred 20 them their legal ad-
! visers and have taken 70 further trouble about
! the matter than 10 af1x their signatures 10 the
Ieza. opinions drawn up for their approval by the
! lawyers or politicians whom they have employs
/ for the purpose. Even this, however IS DeIIeF
| than when they take the matter IN hand Ihen-
selves under the impression that their crown mas
/ invested them with sostrEse knowledge OF the
intrcacies Of International law without ever nav
/ ing studied the subject.
Thus cid King William Of Holland on being in
1 vited by The United States many years ago 10 de-
termiue the northeast boundary line. the subject
/ Of which there was a difference OF opinion with
! Great Britain, took his Unaplreshlp 'au serleu&.
/ insisted or regarding himself a very Daniel
/ come 10 judgment, declined 10 accept either the
! American or the English contentious in the dispute
/ and rendered decision in favor OF a preposterous
/ frontier line of his deyisirg. which was not
only unacceptable TO both countries concerned. nut
/ absolutely Impossible geographically as well as
! politically.
/ Fortunately. the establishment Of the interna-
tional tribunal at The Hague has done away 70 a
/ great extent with the necessity OF invoking the
/ services OF monarchs as arbtraJOrs. and, in view
of this. it is strange that the republics of Mica
| raEua and Honduras should have preferred TO re
fer their boundary controversy for arbitration 10
the beardless boy King Of Spain. rather than 70 the
! International Tribunal Of The Hague