The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1907-04-19
National Prerogatives Cannot
Be Questioned
No Threats Passed and Negotiations
With Japan Were ON Most
Friendly Terms.
NEW MASTERS OF DIPLOMACY

Washington. April 10 Notable
figures in American public life as
semb,ed here today for a two days
discussion of subjects of internation-
al moment. The occasion was the
first meeting of the American Socie-
ty of International law. Many repre-
sentatives of. foreign governments
were present. Secretary of State Root
called the meeting to order and de-
livered a mastery address.
In his speech on the San Francisco
incident, the secretary said:
Gentlemen: In opening this meet
ing of the American Society of In
ternational Law, which l hope will be
the first of many meetings in unbrok-
en- succession. to continue long after
we personally have ceased to take
part in affairs, let me welcome you
to the beginning of your labors for a
more thorough understanding of this
important and fascinating subject. I'll
is impossible that the human mind
should be addressed to questions bet
ter worth its MODEST efforts, Offering
a greater opportunity for usefulness
in the exercise of its powers, or more
fun of historical and contemporary
interest, than in the field of interna-
tional rights and duties. The change
in the theory and practice of govern
ment which has marked the century
since the establishment Of the Amer
Jean union has shifted the determine
tIon of great questions Of domestic
national policy from few rulers in
each country TO the great body of the
people, who render the ultimate de-
cision under all modern constitutional
governments Coincident with that
change the practice of diplomacy has
ceased to be mystery confined to a
few learned men who strive TO give
effect to the wishes of personal rulers,
and has become representative func
ton answering to the opinions and
the will of the multitude of citizens,
: who themselves create the relations
between states and determine the Is
sues of friendship and estrangement,
of peace and war. Under the new
system there are many dangers from
which the old system was free. The
rules and customs which the exper-
fence of centuries has shown to be es-
Genital to the maintenance of peace
and good standing between nations
have little weight with the new pop
ular masters of diplomacy; the pre-
cedents and agreements of opinion
which have carried so great part of
the rights and duties of nations to-
ward each other beyond the pale of
discussion are but little understood. !
The education of public opinion,
which would lead the sovereign peo-
pie In each country to understand
the definite limitations upon national
rights and the full scope and respons-
Utility of national duties, has only
just begun. Information, under
standing, leadership of opinion in
these matters, SO vital to wise jndg-
ment and right action in international
AFFAIRS. are much needed. This so
ofafxr ,,,.o.- ro~xro - "a .ofT-.-f..x, u
the true sense of the word, in which
all who choose to seek broader
knowledge Of the law that governs the
affairs of nations may give each to
the other the Indictment of earnest
and faithful study and may give to
the great body of our countrymen a
clearer view of their International
rights and responsibilities.
Treaty of 1904.
shall detain you from the inter-
esting program of instruction and
discussion which has been arranged
for this meeting only by trying to
Illustrate the kind OF service that
the society may render in a few re
marks intended to clear away some
what widespread popular mlsappre-
hension regarding question arising
under a treaty Of the United States.
The treaty of November 22, 1894,
between the United States and Japan
provided, in the first article: