Art. XX. To the end that immediate recourse to arbitration may be facilitated, in respect to international differences which cannot be adjusted in the diplomatic way, the signatory powers agree to organize a Permanent Court of Arbitration, accessible at all times, and performing its functions, save in the case of contrary stipulations, in accordance with the rules of procedure set forth in the present convention.

Art. XXI. The Permanent Court shall have cognizance of all cases of arbitration, unless there may be an agreement between the parties for the establishment of a special tribunal.

Art. XXII. An International Bureau, established at The Hague, serves as a registry for the court; this bureau is the intermediary of communications relative to its meetings. It preserves the records and is charged with the disposition of all administrative matters. The signatory powers agree to communicate to the bureau at The Hague a certified copy of every stipulation in respect to arbitration occurring between them, and of every arbitral decision affecting them which may be reached by special tribunals. They agree to communicate to the bureau, in like manner, the laws, regulations, and documents which evidence the fact that the judgments reached by the court have been carried into final effect.

Art. XXIII. Each signatory power shall designate, within the three months following the ratification of this agreement, four persons at the most, of recognized capacity in questions of international law, who enjoy the highest moral character and are willing to accept the functions of arbitrators. The names of the persons so designated shall be entered as members of the court, upon a list which shall be communicated by the bureau to all of the signatory powers. Every modification in the list of arbitrators is brought by the agency of the bureau to the attention of the signatory powers. Two or more of the powers may agree to the designation in common of one or more members. The same person may be designated by different powers. The members of the court are appointed for a term of six years. Their appointments may be renewed. In the event of the death or retirement of a member of the court, succession is regulated in accordance with the method fixed for his appointment.

Art. XXIV. When the signatory powers desire to apply to the permanent court for the adjustment of a dispute arising between them, the choice of arbi-tiators called to form the tribunal having jurisdiction to decide the dispute must be made from the general list of members of the court.

In case of a failure to constitute an arbitral tribunal by the immediate agreement of the parties, the following procedure will be resorted to. Each party names two arbitrators, and the latter choose an umpire. In case of an equality of votes, the choice of an umpire is left to a third power designated by agreement between the parties. If no agreemet is reached upon this subject, each party designates a different power, and the selection of an umpire is made by agreement of the powers thus designated. The tribunal being thus composed, the parties notify the bureau of their determination to appeal to the court, and communicate the names of the arbitrators. The arbitral tribunal shall meet at the date fixed by the parties. The members of the court, in the exercise of their functions, and while outside the territories of their own states, shall enjoy diplomatic privileges and immunities.

Art. XXV. The arbitral tribunal shall sit ordinarily at The Hague. The place of sitting, save in a case of necessity, can only be changed by the tribunal with the consent of the parties.

Art. XXVI. The international bureau at The Hague is authorized to place its organization and premises at the disposal of the signatory powers for the use of any special tribunal of arbitration. The jurisdiction of the permanent court may be extended, under the conditions prescribed in these regulations, to disputes existing between non-signatory powers or between signatory and non-signatory powers, if the parties agree to have recourse to this jurisdiction.

Art. XXVII. The signatory powers regard it as a duty, in the event of an acute difference threatening to break forth between two or more of them, to draw their attention to the fact that the permanent court is open. Accordingly, they declare that the fact of inviting the attention of the parties in dispute to the provisions of the present convention, and the advice given, in the superior interest of peace, to address the permanent court, can be considered only as an act of friendship.

Art. XXVIII. A permanent administrative council, composed of the diplomatic representatives of the signatory powers at The Hague and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, who shall exercise the functions of President, shall be established in this city as soon as possible after the ratification of this instrument by at least nine powers.

This council shall be charged with the establishment and organization of the international bureau, which shall remain under its direction and supervision. It shall notify the powers of the constitution of the court, and shall provide for its installation. It shall draw up its rules of order, as well as all other necessary regulations. It shall decide all administrative questions that may arise concerning the operations of the court. It shall have full power in respect to the appointment, suspension, or dismissal of officers or employees of the bureau. It shall fix their salaries and emoluments, and shall control the general expenses. The presence of five members shall constitute a quorum, for the transaction of business. Decisions are reached by a majority of votes. The council communicates to the powers without delay the rules adopted by it. It addresses to them each year a report of the work of the court, of the operation of its administrative service, and its expenses.

Art. XXIX. The expenses of the bureau shall be defrayed by the signatory powers in the proportion established for the international bureau of the Universal Postal Union.