Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-06
Complete Domination by the United States
of Isthmian Waterway Urged
as Necessity.
IJPBUILD THE MERCHANT MARINE
FOR TRADE AND USE IN WAR TIME
Interstate Railroads Should Be Prohibited From
Owning Ships Employed in Canal Com
nerce-MIore Army Officers Needed
to Maintain Efficiency

To the Senate and House of Represent
atives.
During the past year the foreign re-
lations of the United States have con-
tinued upon basis of friendship and
good understanding.
The year has been notable as wit
Messing the pacific settlement of two
important international controversies
before the permanent court of The
Hague
The arbitration of the fisheries dis
pute between the United States and
Great Britain. which has been the
source of nearly continuous diplomatic
correspondence since the fisheries con-
vention of 1918. has given an award
which is satisfactory to both parties.
This arbitration is particularly note
worthy not only because Of the eminent
~ just results secured. but also be-
cause it is the first arbitration held
under the general arbitration treaty of
April 4. 1908. between the United States
and Great Britain, and disposes Of
controversy the settlement of which
has resisted every other resource of
diplomacy, and which for nearly ninety
years has been the cause Of friction
between two countries whose common
interest lies in maintaining the most
friendly and cordial relations with each
other.
Tribute to Elihu Root.
The United States was ably repre-
sented before the tribunal The COM
plicated history Of the question aris-
ing made the issue depend more than
ordinarily In such cases upon the care
and skill with which our case was
presented. and 1 should be wanting in
proper recognition Of a great patriotic
service IT / did not refer to the lucid
signal ability and force of argument
six days In length-presented to the
court In support of our case by Mr..
Euhu Root. AS Secretary Of State Mr..
trtcate facts bearing on the contro-
versy. and by diplomatic correspondence
had helped to frame the issues. At
the solicitation Of the Secretary of
burdened by his duties as senator from
New York. undertook the preparation
Of the case as leading counsel, with
the condition imposed by himself that
In view of his position as senator he
should not receive any compensation.
The tribunal constituted at The Hague
Dy the governments Of the United
states and Venezuela has completed it's
award In the case of the Orinoco Steam
ship Company against Venezuela. The
award may be regarded as satisfactory
since 1T has. pursuant to the conten-
lions of the United States, recognized
number of important principles MAX
ing for judicial attitude in the de-
termining Of international disputes.
The Hague Convention.
In view Of grave doubts which had
been raised as to the constitutionality
of The Hague convention for the estab-
hshment of an international prize court,
now before the Senate for ratifica ton, be-
cause Of that provision of the convention
which provides that there may be an
appeal to the proposed court from the
decisions of national courts, this govern
inent proposed In an identic circular note
addressed to those powers who had taken
part In the London maritime conference
mat the powers signatory to the conven-
ton IT confronted with such difficulty
might insert reservation to the effect
that appeals to the International prize
court in respect to decisions of It's ma
tional tribunals should take the form Of
direct claim for compensation; that the
proceedings thereupon TO be taken should
be i'm the form of trial de noyo and
that Judgment OF the court should con-
sist Of compensation for the illegal cap
ture, irrespective of the decision of the
:
been internationally involved. AS the re-
suit of an informal discussion il was de-
cided to provide such procedure by
means of a separate protocol which
should be ratified at the same time as the
prize court convention itself.
Prize Court Plan Progressing.
Accordingly. the government of the
Netherlands. at the request Of this gov
eminent, proposed under date of May "a,
1910. to the powers signatory to the
Hague convention, the negotiation Of a
supplemental protocol embodying stipu-
ladons providing for this alternative pro-
cedure. 1t is gratifying to observe that
this additional protocol is being signed
without objection by the powers sigma
tory to the original convention, and that
there Is every reason to believe that the
international prize court will be soon es-
tabiished.
The fdentic circular note also proposed
that the international prize court when
established should be endowed with the
functions OF an arbitral court Of justice
under and pursuant to the recommended
tion adopted by the last Hague confer
ence. The replies received from the va
rious powers to this proposal inspire the
hope that this also may be accomplished
within the reasonably near future
1t is believed that the establishment OF
toward securing the arbitration of many
questions which have heretofore threat
ened. and at times, destroyed the peace
Of nations.