254 IN THE DIPLOMATIC SERVICE-XX 



structed that any practicable proposals should receive 

 our earnest support. 



On the eighth article, which proposes the wider exten 

 sion of &quot;good offices, mediation, and arbitration/ the 

 secretary dwells with much force, and finally says : ( The 

 proposal of the conference promises to offer an oppor 

 tunity thus far unequaled in the history of the world for 

 initiating a series of negotiations that may lead to im 

 portant practical results. &quot; The delegation is therefore 

 enjoined to propose, at an opportune moment, a plan for 

 an International Tribunal of Arbitration which is annexed 

 to the instructions, and to use their influence in the con 

 ference to procure the adoption of its substance. 



And, finally, we are instructed to propose to the confer 

 ence the principle of extending to strictly private prop 

 erty at sea the immunity from destruction or capture by 

 belligerent powers analogous to that which such property 

 already enjoys on land, and to endeavor to have this 

 principle incorporated in the permanent law of civilized 

 nations. A well-drawn historical resume of the relations 

 of the United States to the question of arbitration thus far 

 is added, and a historical summary of the action of the 

 United States, hitherto, regarding the exemption of pri 

 vate property at sea from seizure during war. 



The document of most immediate importance is the 

 plan furnished us for international arbitration. Its main 

 features are as follows : 



First, a tribunal &quot;composed of judges chosen, on ac 

 count of their personal integrity and learning in inter 

 national law, by a majority of the members of the highest 

 court now existing in each of the adhering states, one 

 from each sovereign state participating in the treaty, 

 who shall hold office until their successors are appointed 

 by the same body. 



Secondly, the tribunal to meet for organization not 

 later than six months after the treaty shall have been 

 ratified by nine powers; to organize itself as a perma 

 nent court, with such officers as may be found neces- 



