Mixed Claims Commission Great Britain-Venezuela - Volume IX - Protocol of February 13, 1903

Oct 22, 2026

Reports of international arbitral awards compile the Mixed Claims Commission Great Britain–Venezuela, constituted under the Protocols of 13 February and 7 May 1903. The text includes the Protocol’s articles: recognition of claim justice in principle, immediate cash settlement of specified seizure and mistreatment claims, referral of remaining claims to a mixed commission, determination of liability and compensation, customs-revenue assignment mechanics, provisions for failure management via customs administration, external debt arrangement for bondholders, and blockade and treaty-renewal procedures. It records arrangements for lifting blockades and restoring seized vessels.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages186

Reading Time7 h 49 min

AccessFree to download

MIXED CLAIMS COMMISSION GREAT BRITAIN-VENEZUELA

CONSTITUTED UNDER THE PROTOCOLS OF 13 FEBRUARY AND 7 MAY 1903

ARTICLE I

ARTICLE II

ARTICLE III

ARTICLE IV

ARTICLE V

ARTICLE VI

ARTICLE VII

ARTICLE VIII

ARTICLE IX

REPORTS OF INTERNATIONALARBITRALAWARDS # RECUEIL DES SENTENCESARBITRALES Mixed Claims Commission Great Britain-Venezuela 13 February and 7 May 1903 VOLUME IX pp.349-533 ## MIXED CLAIMS COMMISSIONGREAT BRITAIN-VENEZUELA CONSTITUTED UNDER THE PROTOCOLS OF13 FEBRUARY AND 7 MAY 1903 REPORT:Jackson H.Ralston-W.T.Sherman Doyle,VenezuelanArbitrations_of 1903,including Protocols,personnel and Rules of Com-mission,Opinions,and Summary of Awards,etc.,published as SenateDocument No.316,Fifth-eight Congress,second session,Washington,Government Printing Office,1904,pp.292-479. PROTOCOL OF FEBRUARY 13,19031 Whereas certain differences have arisen between the United States ofVenez-uela and Great Britain in connection with the claims of British subjects againstthe Venezuelan Government,the undersigned,Mr.Herbert W.Bowen,dulyauthorized thereto by the Government of Venezuela and His Excellency theRight Honorable Sir_Michael H.Herbert,K.C.M.G.,C.B.,his BritannicMajesty's Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the United Statesof America,have agreed as follows: ## ARTICLE I The Venezuelan Government declare that they recognize in principle thejustice of the claims which have been preferred by His Majesty's Governmenton behalf of British subjects. ## ARTICLE II The Venezuelan Government will satisfy at once,by payment in cash or itsequivalent,the claims of British subjects which amount to about five thousandfive hundred pounds (5,500)arising out of the seizure and plundering of Britishvessels and the outrages on their crews,and the maltreatment and false im-prisonment of British subjects. ## ARTICLE III The Venezuelan and British Governments agree that the other British claims,including claims by British subjects other than those dealt with in article VIhereof,and including those preferred by the railway companies,shall,unlessotherwise satisfied,be referred to a Mixed Commission constituted in themanner defined in article IV of this Protocol and which shall examine theclaims and decide upon the amount to be awarded in satisfaction ofeach claim. The Venezuelan Government admit their liability in cases where the claimis for injury to,or wrongful seizure of property,and consequently the questionswhich the Mixed Commission will have to decide in such cases will only be:(a)Whether the injury took place and whether the seizure was wrongful,and(b)If so,what amount of compensation is due. In other cases the claims shall be referred to the Mixed Commission withoutreservation. ## ARTICLE IV The Mixed Commission shall consist of one Venezuelan member and oneBritish member.In each case where they come to an agreement their decisionshall be final.In cases of disagreement the claims shall be referred to thedecision of an umpire nominated by the President of the United States ofAmerica. BRITISH-VENEZUELAN COMMISSION ## ARTICLE V The Venezuelan Government,being willing to provide a sum sufficient forthe payment within a reasonable time of the claims specified in Article III andsimilar claims preferred by other Governments,undertake to assign to theBritish Government,commencing the first day of March,1903,for this purpose,and to alienate to no other purpose,30 per cent in monthly payments of thecustoms revenues of La Guaira and Puerto Cabello.In the case of failure tocarry out this undertaking,Belgian officials shall be placed in charge of thecustoms of the two ports,and shall administer them until the liabilities of theVenezuelan Government,in respect of the above mentioned claims,shall havebeen discharged. Any questions as to the distribution of the customs revenues so to be assigned,and as to the rights of Great Britain,Germany and Italy to a separate settle-ment of their claims,shall be determined,in default of arrangement,by theTribunal at The Hague,to which any other Power interested may appeal. Pending the decision of the Hague Tribunal the said 30 per cent of thereceipts of the custorns of the ports of La G

FAQs

What was the purpose of the Protocol of 13 February 1903 in the Great Britain–Venezuela mixed claims settlement?

It established how disputes related to British subjects’ claims against the Venezuelan Government would be handled, including recognition of claim justice and mechanisms for satisfying and evaluating the claims.

How were claims to be paid or determined under the Protocol?

Claims specified for immediate satisfaction were to be paid in cash or its equivalent, while other claims were referred to a Mixed Commission that examines claims and decides the amounts awarded, with an umpire in cases of disagreement.

What security and customs arrangements were required under Article V?

Venezuela undertook to assign 30% of monthly customs revenues of La Guaira and Puerto Cabello for specified payments; if Venezuela failed, Belgian officials would administer the customs until the related liabilities were discharged, with further distribution questions decided by the Tribunal at The Hague.

Oct 22, 2026

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