Herewith I inclose a copy of the rules, together with translation.
Referring to Article II of the inclosed rules, I would add that the
representatives of Russia, Germany, and Austria were drawn by lot, in
the order given, to act as the first committee.
[Inclosure.—Translation.]
In compliance with article 28 of the convention for the pacific
settlement of international disputes, the diplomatic representatives
of the signatory powers accredited to The Hague constitute the
administrative council, under the presidency of the minister for
foreign affairs of the Netherlands.
The council, in full session, has approved and adopted its rules, as
follows:
Article I. Every proposition belonging to
the court of arbitration shall be communicated to the members of the
council by the president.
Art. II. The convocation of the members of
the council shall be done by the president and that at least
forty-eight hours in advance.
At any time any member of the council, should he deem it necessary,
has the right to call for a meeting of the council through the
intervention of the president.
Art. III. In the president’s absence the
council shall be presided over by the member who is at the head of
the list of the diplomatic corps in order of seniority.
Art. IV. As was agreed in the session of
the 15th of July, 1899, of the third commission of the peace
conference, the chiefs of missions not having a fixed residence in
The Hague shall choose such a domicile, in order that all
communications or convocations concerning them-may be addressed
thereto.
Art. V. The convocation note shall contain
the agenda. No decision can be taken on matters which are not
mentioned in the agenda.
Art. VI. The vote shall be taken by word of
mouth. In matters concerning the appointment, suspension, and
dismissal of the functionaries and employes, the vote of the council
shall be taken by ballot.
A decision shall be arrived at by a majority of votes.
In the case of a tie the proposition shall be regarded as
rejected.
Art. VII. The order of voting shall be
regulated by the alphabetical order of the signatory powers of the
convention. The president shall vote last.
Art. VIII. The international bureau, under
the control and the direction of the council, is permanently
established.
It shall serve as intermediary to the powers and record office to the
court in the circumstances provided for by the convention, and shall
dispatch the business of the council.
The secretary-general placed at the head thereof is appointed by the
council for a period of five years.
Art. IX. The secretary-general shall
receive his instructions from the president, in the name of the
administrative council. He shall have the care of the archives and
the direction of the staff. He shall have his fixed residence in The
Hague.
Art. X. The appointment and dismissal of
the secretary-general shall be effected in a meeting called at least
fifteen days in advance.
Art. XI. A committee shall be charged with
the examination of the financial affairs of the international
bureau.
This committee is composed of three members of the administrative
council residing in The Hague. It shall be renewed on the 1st of
January of every year, one by one, and in alphabetical order of the
powers.
It shall hold its meetings at the quarters of the international
bureau. The president has the right to attend its meetings.
The financial administration of the secretary-general and the budget
shall be examined by the committee, which shall report annually to
the administrative council.
Art. XII. The budget, as well as the
approval of the accounts of the secretary-general, shall be passed
in a session of the council after having been communicated to the
members of the council at least fifteen days prior to their
meeting.
