336 IN THE DIPLOMATIC SERVICE- XXIV 



Asser s compromise was adopted, which really gives us 

 the case. 



The Siamese representatives requested that the time 

 during which an appeal might be allowed should be six 

 instead of three months, which we had named; but it 

 was finally made a matter of adjustment between the 

 parties. 



July 18. 



The American delegation met at ten, when a cable 

 message from the State Department was read authoriz 

 ing us to sign the protocol. 



July 19. 



Field day in the arbitration committee. A decided 

 sensation was produced by vigorous speeches by my Ber 

 lin colleague, Beldiman, of the Koumanian delegation, 

 and by Servian, Greek, and other delegates, against 

 the provision for commissions d enquete,T)e Martens, 

 Descamps, and others making vigorous speeches in behalf 

 of them. It looked as if the Balkan states were likely to 

 withdraw from the conference if the commission d en- 

 quete feature was insisted upon: they are evidently 

 afraid that such &quot;examining commissions&quot; may be sent 

 within their boundaries by some of their big neighbors 

 Eussia, for example to spy out the land and start in 

 trigues. The whole matter was put over. 



In the evening to Count Minister s dinner at Scheven- 

 ingen, and had a very interesting talk on conference mat 

 ters with Sir Julian Pauncefote, finding that in most 

 things we shall be able to stand together as the crisis 

 approaches. 



July 20. 



For several days past I have been preparing a possible 

 speech to be made in signing the protocol, etc., which, if 

 not used for that purpose, may be published, and, per 

 haps, aid in keeping public opinion in the right line as 

 regards the work of the conference after it has closed. 



