Page:The Annual Register 1899.djvu/323

 1899.] Bussia. — The Peace Conference. [315

conflict should threaten to break out between two or more of them, to remind these that the permanent court is open to them.

Consequently, they declare that the fact of one or several of them reminding the disputing States of the provisions of the present convention, and the advice given, in the higher interest of peace, to apply to the permanent court, can only be con- sidered an exercise of good offices.

28. A permanent council, composed of the diplomatic repre- sentatives of the signatory Powers resident at the Hague, and the Dutch Minister for Foreign Affairs, who shall discharge the functions of president, shall be constituted in that city as soon as possible after the ratification of the present act.

This council shall be charged with establishing and organising the international bureau, which shall remain under its direction and under its controL

It shall notify the Powers of the constitution of the court, and shall provide for its installation.

It shall decree its procedure, as well as all other necessary regulations.

It shall decide all questions which may arise touching the working of the tribunal.

It shall have absolute powers as to the nomination, suspen- sion, or recall of the functionaries and employees of the bureau.

It shall fix the pay and Salaries, and control the general expenditure.

The presence of five members at meetings duly convoked shall suffice to enable the council to deliberate in valid form. Decisions are taken by a majority of votes.

The council addresses each year to the signatory Powers a report on the labours of the court, on the discharge of the administrative services, and on the expenditure.

29. The costs of the Bureau shall be borne by the signatory Powers in the proportion fixed by the international Bureau of the Universal Postal Union.

30. The Powers which accept arbitration will sign a special agreement or compromise [acte special (compromis)] in which are clearly laid down the object of the dispute, as well as the extent of the arbitrators' powers. This document shall confirm the undertaking of the parties to submit themselves in good faith to the arbitrators' decision.

31. The arbitral functions may be conferred on one single arbitrator, or on several arbitrators, named by the parties at their own discretion, or chosen by them among the members of the permanent arbitration court established by the present act.

In the absence of a contrary agreement, the formation of the tribunal of arbitration shall be proceeded with in the follow- ing manner : —

Each party shall name the arbitrators, and they shall choose together an umpire (sur-arbitre).