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Robespierre's character。
The most striking scene in the whole was the roll…call at the
prison。 This was perhaps better than that in Sardou's
〃Thermidor；〃 and the tableaux were decidedly better。
The scene at the 〃Festival of the Supreme Being〃 was also very
striking； and in many respects historical； but； unless I am
greatly mistaken； the performance referred to did not take place
as represented； but in the garden directly in front of the
Tuileries。 The family scene at the house of Duplay the carpenter
was exceedingly well managed； old Duplay； smoking his pipe；
listening to his daughters playing on a spinet and singing
sentimental songs of the Rousseau period； was perfect。 The old
carpenter and his family evidently felt that the golden age had
at last arrived； that humanity was at the end of its troubles；
and that the world was indebted for it all to their lodger
Robespierre； who sat in the midst of them reading； writing； and
enjoying the coddling and applause lavished upon him。 And he and
they were to go to the guillotine within a week！
Incidentally there came a little touch worthy of Sardou； for； as
Robespierre reads his letters； he finds one from his brother； in
which he speaks of a young soldier and revolutionist of ability
whose acquaintance he has just made； whom he very much likes； and
whose republicanism he thoroughly indorsesone Buonaparte。 This
might have occurred； and very likely did occur； very much as
shown on the stage； for one of the charges which nearly cost
Bonaparte his life on the Ninth Thermidor was that he was on
friendly terms with the younger Robespierre； who was executed
with his more famous brother。
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 satisfaction； that the
subcommittee of the third committee had unanimously adopted the
American plan of 〃seconding powers；〃 and that our whole general
plan of arbitration will be to…day in print and translated into
French for presentation。 I also find that Sir Julian Pauncefote's
arbitration project has admirable points。
The first article in Sir Julian's proposal states that； with the
desire to facilitate immediate recourse to arbitration by nations
which may fail to adjust by diplomatic negotiations differences
arising between them； the signatory 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 stipulations
agreed to between the contesting parties。
Its second provision is the establishment of a permanent 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 arrangements 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 recognized 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。
Its fourth provision is that any of the signatory powers desiring
to have recourse to the tribunal for the settlement of
differences shall make known such desire to the secretary of the
central office； who shall thereupon furnish the powers concerned
with a list of the members of the tribunal； from which such
powers may select such number of judges as they may think best。
The powers concerned may also； if they think fit； adjoin to these
judges any other person； although his name may not appear on the
list。 The persons so selected shall constitute the tribunal for
the purpose of such arbitration； and shall assemble at such date
as may be most convenient for the litigants。
The tribunal shall ordinarily hold its sessions at ； but it
shall have power to fix its place of session elsewhere； and to
change the same from time to time； as circumstances may suggest。
The fifth provision is that any power； even though not
represented in the present conference； may have recourse to the
tribunal on such terms as may be prescribed by the regulations。
Provision sixth： The government of is charged by the
signatory powers； on their behalf； as soon as possible after the
conclusion of this convention； to name a permanent council of
administration； at ； composed of five members and a
secretary。 This council shall organize and establish the central
office； which shall be under its control and direction。 It shall
make such rules and regulations as may be necessary for the
office； it shall dispose of all questions that may arise in
relation to the working of the tribunal； or which may be referred
to it by the central office； it shall make all subordinate
appointments； may suspend or dismiss all employees； and shall fix
their salaries and control their expenditure。 This council shall
select its president； who shall have a casting…vote。 The
remuneration of the members shall be fixed from time to time by
accord between the signatory powers。
Provision seventh： The signatory powers agree to share among them
the expenses pertaining to the administration of the central
office and the council of administration； but the expenses
incident to every arbitration； including the remuneration of the
arbiters； shall be equally borne by the contesting powers。
From a theoretical point of view； I prefer to this our American
plan of a tribunal permanently in session： the judges； in every
particular case； to be selected from this。 Thus would be provided
a court of any odd number between three and nine； as the
contesting powers may desire。 But from the practical point of
view； even though the Russian plan of requiring the signatory
powers to send to the tribunal a multitude of smaller matters；
such as those connected with the postal service； etc。； is carried
out； the great danger is that such a court； sitting constantly as
we propose； would； for some years； have very little to do； and
that soon we should have demagogues and feather…brained
〃reformers〃 ridiculing them as 〃useless；〃 〃eating their heads
off；〃 and 〃doing nothing〃； that then demagogic appeals might lead
one nation after another to withdraw from an arrangement
involving large expense apparently useless； and in view of this
latter difficulty I am much inclined to think that we may； under
our amended instructions； agree to support； in its essential
features as above given； the British proposal； and； with some
reservations； the code proposed by the Russians。
Among the things named by the Russians as subjects which the
agreeing powers must submit to arbitration； are those relating to
river navigation and international canals； and this； in view of
our present difficulties in Alaska and in the matter of the
Isthmus Canal； we can hardly agree to。 During the morning Sir
Julian came