New-York tribune., 1909-12-08
EUROPE.


factory
EUROPE.
Pursuant 20 the provisions Of the gem
ersl treaty Of arbitration concluded be
tween the United States and Great Britain
April 4. 1905. a special agreement Was en-
tered into between the two countries On
January 2. 1913. for the submission Il
questions relating 10 the fisheries on the
north Atlantic Coast 10 tribual 20 he
formed from members of the permanent
court Of arbitration al The Hague.
In accordance with the provisions Of the
special agreement the printed case Of each
government was. on October 4 last. sub
mitted 70 the other and 10 the arbitral
tribunal AT The Hague. and the counter
case OF the United States IS now in course
OF preparation.
The American rights under the fisheries
article OF the treaty Of 1915 have been
cause OF difference between the United
States and Crest Britain for ne arly seventy
years. The interests involved are Of great
tmportance 10 the American fishing in
dUstry and the final settlement of the
controversy viii remove A source of con-
slant irritation and complaint. This is the
FIRST case involving such great International
questions which has been submitted 10 the
EsfIDdL~nl court OF dfDlIdllon ~ i nc
Hague.
The treaty between the United States and
Great Britain concerning the Canadian in
ternstional boundary. concluded April II.
1906 authorizes the appointment OF two
commissioners 10 define and mark accu-
rstely the international boundary line he
tween the United States and the Dominion
OF Canada in the waters Of the Passama-
euoddy Bay. and provides for the exchange
of briefs within the period Of six months.
The briefs were duly presented within the
prescribed period. but as the commissioners
failed 10 agree within six months after the
exchange OF the printed statements, as re-
ouired by the treaty. II has now become
Necessary TO resort 10 the arbitration pro.
Vided for in the article
PROTECTION OF FISH.
The international Fisheries Commission
appointed pursuant 10 and under the au-
thority OF the convention Of April IL l9s,
between the United States and Great Brit
ain has completed a system OF uniform and
common international regulations for the
protection and preservation OF the food
nshes I'm International boundary waters Of
the United States and Canada.
The regulations will be duly submitted to
Congress With view 10 the enactment of
such legislation a. viii be necessary under
the convention 10 put them into operation
The convention providing for the settle
nlent OF international differences between
the United States and Canada, including
The spportionment between the two coun-
tries OF certain of the boundary waters and
lie appointmen. OF commissioners 10 adjust
certain other questions. signed on Jam
Uary II, 1873, and 10 tie ratification - which
the Senate gave its advice aud consent on
March 3, 1se has not Yet been ratified on
the part Of Great Britain
Commissioners have been appointed on
the part Of the United States 10 act 5oin;-
~ with commissioners On the part Of can
ada in examining into the question Of OBJ
structions in the St John River between
Maine and New Brunswick aud 70 make
recommendation for the regulation OF the
uses thereof. and are now engaged in this
work.
Negotiations for an International confer
ence 10 consider and reach an arrange
ment providing for the preservation and
protection Of the fur seals in the North
Pacific are IA progress with the govern
ments OF Great Britain. Japan and Rus
siS- The attitude OF the governments in
terested leads me TO hope for a satisfactory
settlement OF this auesion as the ultimate
outcome Of the negotiations.
INTERNATIONAL PRIZE COURT.
The second peace conference recently held
IL The Hague adopted a convention for the
establishment Of an international prize court
upon the joint proposal of the delegations
Of the United States. France. Germany ana
Crest Britain. The law 10 be- observed 10y
the tribunal In the decision OF prize cases
was. however. left in uncertain and.
OF the convention provided that the court
was 10 be governed by the provisions ~
treaties existing between the belligerents
but that '1n the absence of such provisions
the court shall apply the rules Of interna-
tionsl Law. II TO generally recognized rule
exists. the court shall give judgment in ac-
cordance with the general principles OF jus
tee and eoCity.' A.. however, many ques-
tons IN international maritime law are un-
derstoOd differently and. therefore. inter
preted differently IN various countries IL
pss deemed advisable not 10 intrlst leeis-
istiye powers 10 the proposed court but
20 Determine the rules II Law properly ap-
plicable in p conference of The representa-
tiFe maritime nations. Pursuant 20 an In
vitstiOn ~ Great Britain a conference was
held a. London from December . 1916. 20
February Is, lSe, la which the following
Austria Hungary, France. Germany. Great
Britain ltaiy. Japan. the Netherlands. Rus
sis and spain. The conference resulted in
the Declaration % London. unanimously
agreed 20 and signed by tine participating
powers. concerning. among other matters.
the highly important subjects OF blockade.
contra and, the dcstructio: Of neutral
prizes and continuous voyages
MARITIME LAW.
The Declaration Of London is an emf
nentiy satisfactory codificati0n Of the in
ternatiOnal maritime Law, and IL is hoped
thst its reasons bleness aud fairness viii
secure fts general adoption. a. well a. re-
move one az the difficulties standing in the
way Of the establishment of an interna-
tiOnsl prize court
Under tie authority given IN the sundry
civil appropriation act. approved March e.
sOs. the United States Was represented al
the International conference on maritime
law "a Brussels. The conference met on
September es last and resulted ia the sig
nature sd referendum OF d convention for
the unihcation OF certain regulations with
regard 10 maritime assistance and salvage
end a convention for the unifcstion Of oer-
tain rules with regard 10 collision al sea.
Two new projects Of conventions which
nave not heretofore been considered In a
dfrlouafic conference namely one ..o,