Mr. Newel to Mr.
Hay.
Legation of the United States,
The Hague, October 20,
1900
No. 339.]
Sir: I have the honor to confirm on the
overleaf my cablegram2
of this date, advising of Mr. Asser’s acceptance of invitation to act as
arbitrator in the United States-Russian arbitration case, and to inclose
herewith a copy, together with translation, of Mr. Asser’s note of
yesterday, officially notifying me of that fact.
I have, etc.,
[Page 802]
[Inclosure.—Translation.]
Mr. Asser to
Mr. Newel.
The
Hague, October 19,
1900.
Mr. Minister: I have had the honor to
receive your esteemed letter of the 16th instant conveying the
invitation of your Government to act as arbitrator in connection
with the claims against the Russian Government of the vessels James Hamilton Lewis, C. H. White, and Kate and Anna, as well as the vessel Cape Horn Pigeon.
Having read the identical declarations exchanged between the two
Governments on August 26 (September 8) of the current year, that
your excellency kindly sent me, I hasten to notify your excellency,
as I have already done in our interview that I had the honor of
having with you and with the Russian minister, on the 13th instant,
that I feel greatly honored by this invitation, which I accept with
the greatest pleasure, and that I shall do my utmost to show myself
not too unworthy of the confidence the two Governments desire to
place in me.
Accept, etc.,