to use due diligence to prevent the fitting out, ...within its
jurisdiction, of any vessel which it has reasonable ground to
believe is intended to cruise...against a Power with which
it is at peace...; secondly, not to permit...either
belligerent to make use of its ports or waters as a base of naval
operations...; thirdly, to exercise due diligence in its own
ports and waters...to prevent any violation of the foregoing
obligations and duties."

Another but less elaborate tribunal was to decide all other
claims which had arisen out of the Civil War. Still another
arbitration commission was to assess the amount which the United
States was to pay by way of compensation for certain privileges
connected with the fisheries. The vexed question of the
possession of the San Juan Islands was to be left to the decision
of the Emperor of Germany. A series of articles provided for the
amicable settlement of border questions between the United States
and Canada. Never before in history had such important
controversies been submitted voluntarily to arbitration and
judicial settlement.

The tribunal which met at Geneva in December was a body of
distinguished men who proved fully equal to the gravity of their
task. Charles Francis Adams was appointed to represent the United
States; Sir Alexander Cockburn, to represent Great Britain; the
commissioners from neutral States were also men of distinction.
J. C. Bancroft Davis was agent for the United States, and William
M. Evarts, Caleb Cushing, and Morrison R. Waite acted as counsel.
The case for the United States was not presented in a manner
worthy of the occasion. According to Adams the American