Mr. Newel to Mr. Hay.

No. 283.]

Sir: With reference to the court of arbitration to be organized as a result of the late peace conference by the signatory powers accredited to this court, I have the honor to state that some of my colleagues have commenced to discuss the apparent necessity of each power understanding thoroughly all details of any plan to be proposed for the organization of such court, in order that it may instruct properly its representative in advance of final action.

Some plan will be proposed at the first meeting, to be called some time in June next, by the minister of foreign affairs, and there will probably be a president, secretary-general, and some clerks agreed upon.

It is thought by some that the president will naturally be a Dutchman, and that the clerks, because of the probable small salaries, will necessarily be Dutch also. As to the secretary-general, who will be paid, it is expected, a sufficient salary, some of my colleagues do not seem to think that he should be a Dutchman; some think he should be chosen for his qualifications for the office, whether Dutch or not, and all with whom I have talked feel that there should at least be several names proposed from which to choose.

The minister of foreign affairs informed me on Wednesday last that a house had been hired, No. 71 Prinsegracht, in this city, and while some comment has been made about the want of authority, as yet, for such an act, I think all are disposed to regard that as a pardonable assumption of authority for the convenience of the preliminary meetings.

I ventured to say to the minister that as each signatory power is to pay its proportion of the expenses of maintaining the court or bureau, or whatever it may be called, I shall expect to be informed long enough in advance of any proposed action to enable my Government to instruct me intelligently.

He assured me that he agreed with me and that each minister should have an opportunity to consult his Government.

From time to time I shall report the progress of discussion among my colleagues on this subject.

I have, etc.,

Stanford Newel.