The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-08-04
CHOArE'S SCHEME VOTED on.
- Delegates Approve Arbltra-
ton Court Ia silent and 8 Absent.

. v w ippAV
ton court IL silent and s Absent.
Special Gable Despatch TO THH sun.
The HAGUE, Aug. S.-Leon Bourgeois
of the French Mission informed the first
commission of the peace conference to-day
that the purpose of the conference il:
Not the pacific organization Of war.
but the judicial organization of peace"
This utterance contained an admission
Of failure in regard TO all parts of Russia's
programme which raised issues affecting
beiligerents or ~neutrals when war was
actually in progress, or any scientific
limitations in the conduct of warfare, and
expresses the modest hope that the con-
ference may instead produce a germ Of
international law.
Mr.. Choate opened the sitting with a
proposal that the American and Russian
schemes be sent together before the eS-
aiming commission. where they could be
discussed jointly. General debate fol-
lowed, in which DR.. Beernaert Of Belgium
led the opposition to Mr.. Choate's proposal
for the establishments of a permanent
arbitrational court. He maintained that
the existing Hague tribunal, with its nee
sssarily diplomatic and political constitu-
ton, was ample for any useful purpose.
Or. Beernaert WAS altogether against the
~pormanerce Of judges called on TO pro-
nounoe OH International disputes. The
creation OF d few judges endowed with
quasi immovability would be most danger
Gus. Who could propose their removal.
their Collea CUES, or the countries which
appointed them?
Moreover. national sentiment would not
tolerate "A confederation of countries or
their judges deciding a serious national
difference. What guarantee was there of
their imrartiality. for il is not likely that
seventeen really eminent jurists would
care to eXpatriate themselves into situa-
lions which would leave them ample leisure.
Countries not represented on the court
could not be satisfied 10 bear their posi.ion
before il.
The Mexican and Scrvian delegates then
announced that they would withhold their
votes until the constitution OF the our
had been more clearly defined.
The Panama delegate pleaded for one
system Of international law. but said he
was not opposed to Mr.. Choate's project If
tho great Powers would be compelled to
submit their differences with the less i'm
portant States 10 this court.
VI. Leger, from Hayti, introduced a new
safeguard for the impartiality Of the pro-
posed court. He proposed a stipulation
that the Judges should accept no decoration
or honor from any CountIy but their own.
'rhe Venezuelan ard Brazilian delegations
supported This. although Senior Ba rbosa
IN behalf Of Brazil, argued AZ length that
the right of referring arbitrations to soycr-
ei.us or heads of States should remain
intact and that the Osed court should
not seek to extend IS authority on an OBJ
lRatory side,
Sir Edward FRY. IN behalf Of England,
supported Nlr. Chnate, because he believed
the proposed permanent court would not
interfere with the work of the existing
tribunal as created in 1891 Parties would
he free 10 60 before which court they be-
licved q he the hest judges Of their cases,
". Bourgeois agreed with Sir Edward.
but gave his support under the express
reserve that he was altogether against
slpuressing tho present nrbitrational court
hui vas willing TO make "A new experiment.
on III" ground that all the world desires
. - Sec arbitration in progress. He believed.
however that the 1919 court would remain
tho ONLY court for political conflict. But
f"r purely judicial questions rerhsp pa the
Tlr'ies might prefer the court which is
permanent. but tlis would always be
yGy, Stary.
~ Bclalman Of Rumania said he alb