Mr. Peirce to Mr. Hay.
St. Petersburg , June 30, 1900 .
Sir: Referring to the ambassador’s dispatch, No. 256, of June 26, 1900, and in continuation of my dispatch, No. 259, of June 29, I have the honor to say that I see no reason to anticipate any difficulty in finally settling the few remaining details of the protocol of arbitration regarding the seizures of American vessels in the North Pacific Ocean.
The protocol makes no provision for the manner of presentation to the arbitrator of the various memoranda and counter memoranda, which will no doubt be subject to further understanding.
From conversations which I had with the late Count Mouravieff and Professor de Martens, some time ago, I am inclined to believe that it is not impossible that the Russian Government may hold with some tenacity to the view that all communications should be officially delivered to the arbitrator, and that they will consider the respective legations at The Hague as appropriate channels through which such communications should be made.
[Page 879]In case this question should arise, I would like to be provided with your instructions upon this point, in order that there may be no delay in the proceedings on this account.
I have, etc.,