Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1909-04-04
Marks NEW EPOCH FOR COURT
Willingness Of the Two Great Powers
to Abide by Arbitration in Matters
Of Moment Probabl. Means That
This Method Of Settling internation-
al Disputes Will BE used More Ere.
quentiy in Future.
fBy Associated Press.l

by Associated Press.)
WASHINGTON. ID. c.. April s.
Again the good Offices OF the Interna-
tional Court of Arbitration at The
Hague is 10 be invoked to settle im-
portant International disputes, this
time in matters in which the timer
lean government is vitality interested.
1t will not be the FIRST occasion in
which recourse has been made to that
august tribunal in issues in which
this government has figured. the cases
of the Pious Fund, Of the Calnornlans
and of the "perferred creditors" Of
Venezuela. which we're awarded pref
erential treatment following a block
ade of her ports. both having been
passed on by the court and each OF
importance to the United States.
Neither of them, however, are regard
ed as of as great consequence as that.
primarily, of the Interpretation to be
placed ON Article one Of the treaty Of
1918. touching the rights of Americans
to fish in the waters Of Newfoundland
and. sccondarily. the issues to be arbi.
trated as a result of the agreement
recently reached between Mr.. Buchan-
an, the American special commission
ner, and President Gomez. OF Nenezue.
Ia. both of which are to eo~.to The
Hague. The "compromise' ncgotiat
ed by Secretary Root with Ambassa-
dor Boyce which incorporates the
fisheries dispute to be arbitrated. has
tetn ratified by the Senate and the
two nations interested have agreed 90
the arbitration. In submitting to The
Hague so important principle as that
involved In the fisheries controversy
10th the American and the British
governments are giving that tribunal
a prestige In the initial stages Of its
existence which is regarded diplomati-
cally as an international occurrence OF
the first magnitude ami one calculated
to have great influence In inspiring
similar action By other nations bur.
dencd with International disputes.
which Is not subjected. may lead to
serious results. The findings Of the
court will be awaited with the greet
est interest and impotence by the
New Foundland fishing interests, for
it means much to that hardy class Of
men who yearly make the Ncwfo1ndl
land shores their rendezvous and who
supply a large portion OF the north
eastern markets with dsh food pro
ducts. Their treaty rights have been
questioned, their work inferfered with
and they have suffered from the at
tempted enforcement of certain local
laws or regulations. the privilege to
enact which has been warmly con-
tested BY this government. The dis
pu,es are Of long standing and each
country confident Of the correctness
of its own contentious. is expected to
abide Ivy the decision Of the court
Because of the long time allowed xDr
the preparation Of the case. the sub
mission of arguments. etc. 1t VIII be
more than year before the questions
in dispIte are fully before the tri-
bunai for decision.
Venezuelan Dispute.
Years Of effort and Of arguments iy
the state department fsiicd Of sue
crss in reaching a basis Of settlement
OF the disputes with veRezuela. whscG
finally came As result Of suggestions
made bv President Conner after Cas-
tro left Venezuela and Whep that con-
try was being barrassed by the action
Of the Dutch war vessels cent there BY
Holland following the breskinS Of of
friendly relations between The t~o pa-
tions. Secretary Root received IN q
cordial spirit the advances msde by
Gomez and sent Mr.. Buchanan 70
Venezuela promptly with fuli instfuc.
tious to deal with the Subject u the
settlement Of the claims and the re-
suit Of his labors are said TO he sstis-
factory alike to both The state D.
partmcut and 10 the South Americas
rrpublic. The sfnjned s:tuattoo
which had preceded Mr. R1chanau's
mission for 70 long . period was .
source OF regrrt to Secretary Root
who has takca a great deal q Interest
In the we'll being Of our sister rcpuh.
Tics 10 The South and h.. poanfed ous
that the American soveruacnt lad a
rcpcsfcd occasions interviewed - Q
friend IN need in tchsiS 81 vesesscis
70 relieve hcr from dbaGreeabse and
dangerous compItcatiOos witA othes
powers. That Q nsjorisy q The ~
puses are 10 70 10 The Haguc, IL ~
ssrded favofsisly. for 4 reO0ves any
oppsstunity tor charges q force q