Arbitration in Latin America

following countries being represented: the Argentine Republic, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chili, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Salvador, the United States of America, Guatemala, Hayti, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela. Among the subjects of the Programme were II Arbitration and III an International Court of Claims. As to arbitration as a principle there was unanimity, but a great difference of opinion was manifested as to how far the principle should be carried out. Peru wanted a treaty without any reservations and to include pending questions. Mexico excepted those which referred to the ,,independece" or the ,,national honor of a country", wishing, however, to define a list of subjects not included in ,,national honor". Venezuela reserved the question involving her rivers; and Chili in view of problems, yet unresolved, of the war with Peru opposed any arbitration which might be retroactive and obligatory; three views were supported in the Conference. (1) Obligatory arbitration, covering all questions pending or future when they did not affect either the independence or the national honor of a country. (2) Obligatory arbitration, covering future questions only and defining what questions shall contitute those to be excepted from arbitration: and (3) Facultative or voluntary arbitration, as best expressed by The Hague convention. The Delegation of the United States, among the instructions given to...