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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 permanent court； with such
officers as may be found necessary； and to fix its own place of
session and rules of procedure。
The third article provides that 〃the contracting nations will
mutually agree to submit to the international tribunal all
questions of disagreement between them； excepting such as may
relate to or involve their political independence or territorial
integrity。〃
The fifth article runs as follows： 〃A bench of judges for each
particular case shall consist of not fewer than three nor more
than seven； as may be deemed expedient； appointed by the
unanimous consent of the tribunal； and shall not include any
member who is either a native； subject； or citizen of the state
whose interests are in litigation in the case。〃
The sixth article provides that the general expenses of the
tribunal be divided equally among the adherent powers； but that
those arising from each particular case be provided for as may be
directed by the tribunal； also that non…adherent states may bring
their cases before it； on condition of the mutual agreement that
the state against which judgment shall be found shall pay； in
addition to the judgment； the expenses of the adjudication。
The seventh article makes provision for an appeal； within three
months after the notification of the decision； upon presentation
of evidence that the judgment contains a substantial error of
fact or law。
The eighth and final article provides that the treaty shall
become operative when nine sovereign states； whereof at least six
shall have taken part in the conference of The Hague； shall have
ratified its provisions。
It turns out that ours is the only delegation which has anything
like a full and carefully adjusted plan for a court of
arbitration。 The English delegation； though evidently exceedingly
desirous that a system of arbitration be adopted； has come
without anything definitely drawn。 The Russians have a scheme；
but； so far as can be learned； there is no provision in it for a
permanent court。
In the evening there was a general assemblage of the members of
the conference at a reception given by Jonkheer van Karnebeek；
formerly Dutch minister of foreign affairs； and now first
delegate from the Netherlands to the conference。 It was very
brilliant； and I made many interesting acquaintances； but；
probably； since the world began； never has so large a body come
together in a spirit of more hopeless skepticism as to any good
result。 Though no one gives loud utterance to this feeling； it is
none the less deep。 Of course； among all these delegates
acquainted with public men and measures in Europe； there is
considerable distrust of the intentions of Russia； and；
naturally； the weakness of the Russian Emperor is well
understood； though all are reticent regarding it。 The only open
utterances are those attributed to one or two of the older
European diplomatists； who lament being sent on an errand which
they fear is to be fruitless。 One of these is said to have
bewailed this mission as a sad ending to his public services； and
to have declared that as he had led a long life of devotion to
his country and to its sovereign； his family might well look upon
his career as honorable； but that now he is probably doomed to
crown it with an open failure。
May 18。
At two o'clock in the afternoon the conference held its open
session at the 〃House in the Wood。〃 The building is most
interesting； presenting as it does the art and general ideas of
two hundred and fifty years ago； it is full of historical
associations； and the groves and gardens about it are delightful。
The walls and dome of the great central hall are covered with
immense paintings in the style of Rubens； mainly by his pupils；
and； of these； one over the front entrance represents Peace
descending from heaven； bearing various symbols and； apparently；
entering the hall。 To this M。 de Beaufort； our honorary
president； the Netherlands minister of foreign affairs； made a
graceful allusion in his opening speech； expressing the hope that
Peace； having entered the hall； would go forth bearing blessings
to the world。 Another representation； which covers one immense
wall； is a glorification of various princes of Orange： it is in
full front of me； as I sit； the Peace fresco being visible at my
left； and a lovely view of the gardens； and of the water beyond；
through the windows at my right。
The 〃House in the Wood〃 was built early in the seventeenth
century by a princess of the house of Orange； the grandmother of
William III of England。 The central hall under the dome； above
referred to； is now filled up with seats and desks； covered with
green cloth； very neat and practical； and mainly arranged like
those in an English college chapel。 Good fortune has given me one
of the two best seats in the house； it being directly in front of
the secretaries； who are arranged in a semicircle just below the
desk of the president； at my left are the other members of our
delegation； and facing me； across the central aisle； is Count
Munster； at the head of the German delegation。 This piece of good
luck comes from the fact that we are seated in the alphabetical
order of our countries； beginning with Allemagne； continuing with
Amerique； and so on down the alphabet。
The other large rooms on the main floor are exceedingly handsome；
with superb Japanese and Chinese hangings； wrought about the
middle of the last century to fit the spaces they occupy； on all
sides are the most perfect specimens of Japanese and Chinese
bronzes； ivory carvings； lacquer…work； and the like： these rooms
are given up to the committees into which the whole body is
divided。 Up…stairs is a dining…hall in which the Dutch Government
serves； every working…day； a most bounteous lunch to us all； and
at this there is much opportunity for informal discussion。 Near
the main hall is a sumptuous saloon； hung round with interesting
portraits； one of them being an admirable likeness of Motley the
historian； who was a great favorite of the late Queen； and
frequently her guest in this palace。
Our first session was very interesting； the speech by the
honorary president； M。 de Beaufort； above referred to； was in
every way admirable； and that by the president； M。 de Staal；
thoroughly good。 The latter is the Russian ambassador to London；
I had already met him in St。 Petersburg； and found him
interesting and agreeable。 He is； no doubt； one of the foremost
diplomatists of this epoch； but he is evidently without much
knowledge of parliamentary procedure。 Congratulatory telegrams
were received from the Emperor of Russia and the Queen of the
Netherlands and duly answered。
May 19。
At eleven in the morning； in one of the large rooms of the hotel；
the presidents of delegations met to decide on a plan of
organization and work； and； sitting among them； I first began to
have some hopes of a good result。 Still； at the outset； the
prospect was much beclouded。 Though a very considerable number of
the foremost statesmen in Europe were present； our deliberations
appeared； for a time； a hopeless chaos： the unfamiliarity of our
president； Baron de St