New-York tribune., 1907-08-28
DIVISION AT THE HAGUE
Opposition to NeU american Plan
for High Court.

The Hague, Aug. 27.-The examining commit
tee having the subject in charge to-day
pleted the first reading of the revised version of
the American proposal for the establishment of
an international high court of justice. The sec
ond reading has been fixed for September 2.
Mr. Choate explained some of the doubtful
points regarding the jurisdiction of the court.
Mr.. Choate after recapituIating the argu-
ments in favor of permanent court. said that
such court would insure continuity OF juris-
prudence and become instrument for the
unficaton of international law, and from even
this point of view command the attention Of
the world One section of the court he said
would be organized to judge urgent cases and
always be ready for work The world Is of
the opinion that we have the right" Mr. Choate
continued to create permanent court, even
If 1T is not accepted by all the powers on con-
ditfon that we leave the door open TO all. The
flrst conference concluded certain conventions
leaving the door open for the adhesion Of other
powers. which. in fact did come later II it is
necessary let us do the thing in this con-
ference, but let US hurry up and make this great
progress
NJ. Neldoff, president Of the conference. has
communicated the leading delegations the
American proposal regarding the periodctty of
the meetings of the conference and suggesting
that the next meeting take place not later than
1914 small committee. the composition of
which is not specified by the proposal yet
IS at once to set TO work the programme of
the next conference. studying questions of rules
methods of discussion, etc. This committee is
to convoke the conference in accordance with
the desires of the powers.
Senior ESteva. head OF the Mexican delegation
announced Mexico's opposition to the court, as.
he said. it believed to be impossible TO OBJ
tain equality for the countries in the appoint
ment of judges
The declaration read by Sefior Esteva says:
The Mexican delegation thinks that a new
and really permanent arbitration court, in or
hdence, must be entirely outside of political or
national influences, either direct or indirect
This court must be an organism essentially
Jur1dical, representing all the countries. large
and small. strong and weak. that assembled for
the second peace conference. on the basis of the
most absolute eqaulity. The Mexican deega-
ditions are embodied in the present project:
therefore. according to the instructions from its
own government, and in accord with its own
personal feelings, it cannot agree with a con-
vention in which all the states convoked to the
most absolute equality. For these reasons the
delegation declares it does not accept the prof.
ect for a convention regarding the establish
rllent of a high court OF justice presented by
the delegations from the United States. Ger
many and Great Britain. and 1t will vote
against it.
DR.. Ruy Barboza (BraziD made a long speech
IN which he protested against the appointment
of judges outlined In the American proposal
He insisted that this question must be settled
In manner which fully recognized the equality
of the powers.
The meeting was then adjourned until Sep
terber 2. The Brazilian proposal. which en-
bodies the views OF those opposed to the Amer
lean proposition. will then come up The i'm
preston among the delegates at to-day's session
that unless some satisfaction was given to
this faction there was serious danger that the
scheme would fail.
The new proposal Of the United States an
nounces the willingness of all the countries Of
the American continents, including the United
States TO have altogether four Judges 70 be ap-
pointed for the twenty-one countries composing
the continents. with the understanding reached
through diplomatic channels. that this will re-
duce the number OF Judges to fifteen.
The proposal does not go further. but IL is
understood that the Americans hope the other
continents will take similar action: that Asia
will have the right to name two Judges and Eu-
rope nine.