The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1923-03-13
REASON OF HARDING'S
WORLD COURT MOVE
EXPERIENCES IN ARBITRAT-
ING SHIP CLAIMS SHOWS u.
S. CAN'T GET JUSTICE.

A copyrighted article in the New
York World says it is the understand
ing here President Harding asked the
United States senate for authority to
enter the Permanent Court of Inter
national Justice because he was con-
WINGED the United States could not
get justice in any arbitration with
smaller European power under The
Hague convention OF 1907.
This conviction is based on the re-
cent experience with Norway. The
inside story of the settlement OF her
shipping claims has never before been
revealed and it is said to be regarded
by the American government as the
rawest deal in the history OF arbitra-
ton.
Story of Arbitration.
In 1921 arbitration was begun over
Norwegian ships building in the Unit
ed States and taken over when we en-
tered the war. Each side was to name
an arbitrator, and if these two were
unable to agree on a third man the
choice was to be left to the president
OF a neutral country.
The United States appointed Chand-
Ter Anderson; Norway named Paul
Benjamin Vogt, now Norwegian min
lister to London. The president OF
Switzerland then appointed as third
man one who is described by Ameri
cans as "a country lawyer" But, un-
der the treaty, he had to be accepted.
Disagree as to Date.
Norway claimed the United States
requisitioned not only ships then built
and building but contracts as well.
She claimed compensation for the
market value OF these contracts at the
time, October 6, 1917, when, Norway
claims, they were taken over
The United States claimed the
August 3rd order was the only one
issued and the contracts should be
valued as OF that date instead OF the
later. America asserted that between
those two dates contract prices were
juggled upward by Christopher Hen
nevig, a Norwegian subject, who has
since gone bankrupt, and others. The
Norwegians admitted Hannevig was
largely interested in most OF the
claims.
Swiss Voted With Norway.
The Americans held the claims
could not be assessed at more than
$3,000000, but the Swiss arbitrator
voted with the Norwegian on every
point. By to | vote Norway was
allowed about $12,000,000 OF the $13,-
100000 claimed.
The United States accepted the de-
cision, although Anderson was so an
cry he refused to be present during
the formal award and lodged pro-
test in Americas name.
Shyster Lawyer Figures.
The protest asserted the terms of
the treaty had not been observed, in
that the reason for each award had
not been given. However, the protest
was over-ruled and congress voted the
money to pay the settlement. But, &C
cording to information received in
American circles, well-known light
of the British bar, who in America
might be described as successful
shyster, was mysteriously mixed up
with members of the arbitration court
during the proceedings. No proof OF
interference drawn by Americans was
ever obtained.
However, Americans take the view
that Europeans, especially OF the
smaller nations, regard the United
States as fabulously rich and fair
game.
Therefore, it is reported the adj
ministration. turned to the Permanent
Court as the only recourse to insure
equity in future financial disputes be-
tween the United States and Euro
pean countries.