314] FOKEIGN HISTOEY. [1899.
20. With the object of facilitating immediate recourse to the arbitration of international differences not settled by diplomatic means, the signatory Powers pledge themselves to organise in the following manner a permanent court of arbitration, ac- cessible at all times, and working, except there be a contrary stipulation of the disputing parties, in conformity with the rules of procedure inserted in the present convention.
21. This court has competence in all cases of arbitration, unless the disputing parties agree to establish a special arbitral jurisdiction.
22. An international bureau established at the Hague and placed under the direction of a permanent secretary-general is to act as the office (greffe) of the court.
It is to be the intermediary for the communications dealing with the meetings of the latter.
It is to have care of the archives and the conduct of all the administrative business.
23. Each of the signatory Powers shall designate in the three months following the ratification of the present act four persons at the most of recognised competence in questions of international law, and enjoying the highest esteem (jouissant de la plus haute consideration morale), and ready to accept the duties of arbitrators.
The persons thus nominated will be entered, with the title of members of the court, on a list which will be communicated by the bureau to all the signatory Powers.
Every modification of the list of arbitrators shall be brought to the notice of the signatory Powers by the bureau.
Two or more Powers may agree to nominate one or more members in common.
The same person may be nominated by different Powers.
The members of the Court are appointed for a term of six years. Their appointment may be renewed.
In case of the decease or of the retirement of a member of the tribunal, the vacancy will be filled in accordance with the rules established for nomination.
24. The signatory Powers which desire to apply to the court for the settlement of differences which have arisen between them choose out of the general list the number of arbitrators jointly agreed upon.
They give notice to the bureau of their intention to apply to the court and of the names of the arbitrators whom they have nominated.
25. The tribunal sits usually at the Hague.
It has the right to sit elsewhere, with the consent of the parties in litigation.
26. Every Power, though not a signatory of this act, can apply to the court under the conditions prescribed by the present convention.
27. The signatory Powers consider it a duty, in case a sharp
