The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1907-12-04

definite conclusions which had been
reached. and resolutions were adopted
marking the progress made in matters
upon which agreement was not yet suffi-
GENTLY complete to make conventions
practicable.
The delegates of the United States
were instructed to favor an agreement
for obligatory arbitration. the establish
ment of a permanent court of arbitra-
ton to proceed iudicially in the hearing
and decision of international causes, the
prohibition of force for the collection of
contract debts alleged to be due from
governments to citizens of ether coun-
tries until after arbitration as to the JUS
tice and amount OF the debt and the time
and manner of payment, the immunity of
private property at sea, the better defni.
ton of the rights of neutrals, and, in
case any measure to that end should be
introduced. the limitation of ornaments.
In the field of peaceful disposal of in
ternational differences several important
advances We're made. First as to OBJ
ligatory arbitra ton. Although the Con-
ference failed to secure unanimous
agreement upon the details of a conven-
ton for obligatory arbitration, it did re-
solve as follows:
1t is unanimous: G) In accepting the
principle for obligatory arbitration; CD
In declaring that certain differences. and
notably those relating to the interpreta-
ton and application of international con-
ventional stipuationS are susceptible of
being submitted to obligatory arbitration
without any restriction"
In view of the fact that as result Of
the discussion the vote upon the definite
treaty of obligatory arbitration. which
was proposed, stood 80 in favor to 9
against the adoption of the treaty, there
can be little doubt that the great ma
jority of the countries of the world have
reached a point where they are now ready
to apply practically the principles thus
unanimously agreed upon by the Confer
ence.
The second advance, and very great
one, is the agreement which relates to
the use of force for the collection of con-
tract debts. Your attention is invited to
the paragraphs upon this subject in my
Message of December. 1906. and to the
resolution of the Third American Con-
ference at Rio in the summer of 1906.
The convention upon this subject adopted
by the Conference substantially as pro-
posed by the American delegates is as
follows:
In order to avoid between nations
armed conflicts of purely pecuniary or
lgln arising from contractual debts claimed
of the government of one country by the
government of another country to be due
to its nationals. the signatory Powers
for the collection of such contractual
debts
However, this stipulation shall not be
applicable when the debtor State refuses
or leaves unanswered an offer to arbi-
trate. or, in case of acceptance. makes it
impossible to formulate the terms of sub
mission, or, after arbitration. fails to
comply with the award rendered.
ut is further agreed that arbitration
here cd hal ba con "
as to procedure, with Chapter III of the
Convention for the Pacific Settlement of
International Disputes adopted at The
Hague, and that it shall determine, in so
far as there Shall be no agreement be-
tween the parties, the justice and the
amount of the debt, the time and mode
of payment thereof"
Such a provision would have prevented
much injustice and extortion in the past,
and l cannot doubt that its effect in the
future will be most salutary
Notable Progress Made in
Settlement of Disputes.
A third advance has been made in
amending and perfecting the convention
of 1899 tor the voluntary settlement of in
ternational disputes. and particularly the
extension of those parts of that conven-
ton which relate to commissions of in.
quiry The existence of those provision:
and Russia to avoid war, notwithstanding
great public excitement, at the time OF
the Dogger Bank incident, and the new
convention agreed upon by the Conference
gives practical effect to the experience
gained in that inquiry
Substantial progress was also made to-
wards the creation of permanent judi
cial tribunal for the determination of in
ternational causes. There was very full
discussion of the 4.
court and general agreement was finally
reached in favor of it's creation. The
Conference recommended to the signators
Powers the adoption of the draft upor
which 1T agreed for the organization O.
the court. leaving to be determined onl,
the method by which the judges SHOULD
be selected. This remaining unsettled
question is plainly one which time ant
good temper will solve.
! A further agreement of the first i'm
portance was that for the creation of al
international prize court. The constitu
ton. organization and procedure of sucl
! tribunal were provided for in detail
Anyone who recalls the injustices unde
| which this country suffered as a neutra
power during the early part of the las
century cannot fail to see in this provi
sion for an international prize court tn,
great advance which the world is maxim,
towards the substitution of the rule O
| reason and justice in place of simple
force. Not only will the internationa
prize court be the means Of protectin,
the interests of neutrals, but 1t is ii
itself step towards the creation of thu
more general court for the hearing of in
ternational controversies to which refer
ence has just been made. The organiza
ton and action of such prize court can
not fail to accustom the different coun
tries to the submission of internationa
questions to the decision of an interna
tional tribunal. and we may confidentl,
expect the results of such submission t,
bring about a general agreement. upon tn,
enlargement of the practice.
Numerous provisions were adopted TO
reducing the evil effects of war and TO
defining the rights and duties of neutrals
The Conference also provided for tn,
holding of third Conference within
period similar to that which elapsed be
tween the First and Second Conferences
The delegates of the United State.
worthily represented the spirit of tn,
American people and maintained will
fidelity and ability the policy of our Gov
eminent upon all the great questions dis
cussed in the Conference.
The report of the delegation, together
with authenticated copies of the conven-
tons signed. when received. will be lait
before the Senate for its consideration.
When we remember how difficult it is