Mr. Hay to Mr. Tower.
Washington , December 5, 1899 .
[Mr. Hay states that the phrase proposed by the Russian Government, as reported in Mr. Tower’s No. 152, is not acceptable, but that this Government would consent to strike out, in the paragraph referred to, the words “following the general principles of international law,” so that it shall read: “The arbitrator shall determine as to each claim,” etc. The change proposed in Department’s cablegram of the 14th ultimo should be made, if the protocol is agreed to, and an express provision for the submission to the arbitrator of the evidence which has been presented in support of the claims should also be included.]