'File 35/85 III A 10 French Flag Question' [‎145v] (301/610)

§5
Mr. W. P. Craies, Counsel, and
Mr. George A. Mounsey, Third Secretary of the Legation of His Britannio
Majesty at The Hague, Secretary to the Agent of the British Government.
The Secretary-General declares that the Agents of the French Kepublio
presented yesterday—in the name of his Government—supplementary Con
clusions which have been delivered to the Members of the Tribunal and to the
other Party.
Mr. Ronald Graham asks for the floor and makes the following statement
jn English :
" The French Supplementary Conclusions were communicated to me
yesterday evening.
This is essentially a friendly Arbitration in which HisjMajesty's Government
desire to meet the objections or wishes of the French Government in the most
friendly spirit. But the action of the French Government in submitting
Supplementary Conclusions on the day before the Tribunal meets has come
3,9 a complete surprise and appears to be in contradiction with Art. II of the
Compromis of October 1904, which stipulates that the Argument or Conclusions
should be submitted within one month of the delivery of the Counter Cases,
unless the period is extended by mutual consent of the Contracting Parties.
The Tribunal may, under Art. Ill call for further statements, but I am not
aware that it has done so on this occasion.
The British Argument was drawn up in full conformity with the Pro
visions of Art. II. ^of the Compromis, and is in the form adopted on previous
occasions in the case of similar Arguments. It was of necessity somewhat
elaborate in view of the quantity of new matter imported into the French
Counter Case.
The Argument has been in the possession of the French Government for
a fortnight, but it was not until yesterday that we had any indication that the
French Government objected to its form or desired to submit supplementary
conclusions to the Tribunal.
I have referred to my Government for instructions and would respectfully
submit to the Court that the consideration of the question should be deferred
for a few days until I can receive a reply."
The Tribunal retired to consider its decision.
On the reopening of the session the Secretary-General read the following
decision of the Tribunal :
" In accordance with the articles 42 and 43 of the Convention of The Hague
pf July 39th, 1899, for the pacific settlement of international disputes,
the Tribunal has admitted the filling of supplementary Conclusions
presented in the name oE the Government of the French Republic, and re
serves to the Representatives of the Government of His Britannic Majesty's
the right to answer either before or at the meeting of Tuesday, August 1st,
1905.
The Secretary-General read a letter addressed to him May 13th, 1905, by
the Ministers of France and Great Britain at The Hague viz. :
" The Blague, May 13th, 1905.
Monsieur le Secretaire-General,
The Governments of France and Great Britain, in common accord and
for special reasons, have decided to admit the use of the French and English
languages respectively in the course of the pleadings of the " Muscat "
Arbitration.