278 IN THE DIPLOMATIC SERVICE -XXI 



On the whole, the play was very disappointing. It 

 would certainly have been hissed at the Porte St. Martin, 

 and probably at any other Paris theater. 



June 1. 



Having left London last evening, I arrived at The 

 Hague early this morning and found, to my great satis 

 faction, that the subcommittee of the third committee 

 had unanimously adopted the American plan of second 

 ing powers, and that our whole general plan of arbitra 

 tion will be to-day in print and translated into French 

 for presentation. I also find that Sir Julian Pauncef ote s 

 arbitration project has admirable points. 



The first article in Sir Julian s proposal states that, 

 with the desire to facilitate immediate recourse to arbi 

 tration by nations which may fail to adjust by diplomatic 

 negotiations differences arising between them, the sig 

 natory powers agree to organize a permanent tribunal 

 of international arbitration, accessible at all times, to 

 be governed by a code, provided by this conference, so 

 far as applicable and consistent with any special stipula 

 tions agreed to between the contesting parties. 



Its second provision is the establishment of a perma 

 nent central office, where the records of the tribunal shall 

 be preserved and its official business transacted, with a 

 permanent secretary, archivist, and suitable staff, who 

 shall reside on the spot. This office shall make arrange 

 ments for the assembling of the tribunal, at the request of 

 contesting parties. 



Its third provision is that each of the signatory powers 

 shall transmit the names of two persons who shall be rec 

 ognized in their own country as jurists or publicists of 

 high character and fitness, and who shall be qualified 

 to act as judges. These persons shall be members of 

 the tribunal, and a list of their names shall be recorded 

 in the central office. In case of death or retirement of 

 any one of these, the vacancy shall be filled up by new 

 appointment. 



