New-York tribune., 1908-04-20
THE RIGHTS OF NATIONS.
Secretary Root Outlines Work Of
american Society.

Washington. April Is-To develop interest and
instruct the popular mind subjects pertaining
10 the relations of the United States with other
nations is the ambitious undertaking of the Amer
lean Society OF International Law, which is TO hold
its second annual meeting here on Friday and
Saturday of this week. That the ambition OF the
society is being realized is shown by the eight
hundred members enrolled and the wide circula-
tion of The American Journal Of International
Law" published quarterly by the organization.
Secretary Root, who Is president OF the society,
has taken keen interest in its development which
he regards highly important to the nation III
view of the increase OF popular control over ma
tfonal conduct which marks the political develop
ment OF the present time. The principal plank in
the platform the society is in the words of its
president: THAT the great body Of the people in
each country should have a just conception OF
their international rights and duties" on this
point Secretary Root says:
assured OF general and hearty support among their
ments are driven into war against their win BY the
pressure Of strong popular feeling. It is not IN
most concIiatory and patient way TO settle some
Of the people in both countries maintain an IN
comprornising and beIligerent attitude, insisting
rights in a way which if it we're 10 control ma
tionaI action would render peaceful settlement i'm
possible.
Reasonableness and good temper. the Secretary
maintains, the essential conditions the set
tlernent OF international differences, and the
great means TO make this condition prevalent in
the public mind is 10 increase the general know
ledge of interna tlonal rights and duties This he
says. can be done by promoting a popular Ia bit
Of reading and thinking about interna tonal affairs
He adds
The more clearly people understand their own
international rights the less likely they 10
take extreme and extravagant views and the less
likely 10 be ready 70 night for something to which
the DeGP OF @ SG{9 91qnry " realize % the in
mands Of other countries thar those Just demands
and obligations be observed. The more familiar
people with the rules and customs Of self re
strant and courtesy between nations, which long
experience has shown to be Indispensable for pre-
the tendency TO refrain from publicly discussing
as 20 hinder peaceful settlement by wounding sen
sibilittes or arousing anger and prejudice the
other side.
The address OF the secretary, president Of the
society, of the attractions of the programme
which contains many interesting topics such as.
Should the Violation OF Treaties Be Made Fed
eral Ofence?" How Far Should Loans Raised in
Neutral Nations for the Use of Beligerents Be Con
sdered Violation Of Neutrality Arbitration at
the Second Hague Conference; The Desirabilty
and Progress OF the Codhcation Of international
Law; Organization. Jurisdiction and Procedure
Of International Prize Courts
All Of these subjects Will be discussed bv the
members present Before the session adtourns
officers will be elected also an honorary member
will he chosen from the great body Of distinguished
publicists of the world The honorary members
chosen for 1906 and 1907 were Professor Thomas 9
Erskine Holland, Of Oxford. and Professor Helm
rich Lamma, of the University Of Vienna The
meeting will end with dinner at the New Willard
Hotel at which distinguished speakers will be
heard Secretary Root will be toastmaster
The society expects 10 increase its membership
the result of the meetings and makes = point of
emphasizing that the membership is not restricted
TO lawyers.