Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-04-27
L0UD0N PROPOSES
NEW PEACE COURT
Netherlands Minister Advo-
Gates Continuous Sessions
at The Hague.
SPEAKS AT BANQUET
OF LAW ORGANIZATION
Members of International Society
Also Hear Norwegian Minister
of State and Others.

proposing that permanent and con-
tinuous international court be established
at The Hague to settle International dis
putes and take the place of the present
uncertain system, Jonkheer j. Loudon,
minister of the Netherlands. spoke on
plans for world peace at the seventh an
nual banquet of the American Society of
International Law last night at the New
Willard Hotel
Minister LOudon told of the prepara-
tions for the opening in September at
The Hague of the Peace Palace" now
nearing completion. which is being built
with fund given by Andrew Carnegie
The interparliamentary union meets at
The Hague at the same time. and the
minister said that the occasion should
be auspicioUs, for the promotion Of
peaceful settlement Of international dis
putes.
International Law Academy.
He also proposed that there be estab-
lished in The new Peace Palace an inter-
national law academy, where students
would be given an opportunity to study
international law from masters Of the
subject. Money for such an academy, he
said. will doubtless be given. IL a large
attendance at the classes is assured. He
suggested that this academy be open
only in the summer months so as to not
interfere with other International law
schools
The banquet was attended by large
number of diplomats and prominent law
yers. Addresses were made by Gregers
W. w Gram. minister of state of Nor
way. who came to the United States to
attend the International law meeting: by
R0nr 1fnfr -
Prof. A. B. Hart of Harvard University
Frederic r.. Coudert presided as toast
master.
Foreigners Praise America.
The part played by the United States
in Fastening the era Of international
peace was praised by both Minister of
State Gram and Minister Loudon.
Mr.. Gram said the part played by this
country has been a glorious one. and
should be continued. He recited the
history Of the international peace move
ment. and of the efforts to establish a
permanent court at The Hague.
Prof. Hart drew a pessimistic picture
of the future of national and fnterna-
tional law IL present tendencies are con-
tinued. He said that national law in the
United States Is becoming too liquid
ous." and that such suggestions as the
inftf4tive and referendum and the recall
Of judges are tending to break down re-
spect for law and order. which is the bull
carried into international law will do
much to halt the progress of the world,
he said. He also declared that there is
too much Of a feeling that treaties can
be broken with suddenness and impunity.
Slayden Praises The Hague.
Representative slayden of Texas spoke
on the prospects for ultimate interna-
tional peace, and said that now that the
International court at The Hague has
been established the principal step re-
manning Is to educate the people of the
world to the point where questions which
threaten war can be quietly settled
through such a court He praised par
ticularly the work Of the lnterparlia-
mentary Union. which he said is re-
sponsible for much of the peace senti-
Continuing. he said. in part:
Practically every definition OF the
term international law that has come
under my observation says. in substance.
generally accepted as just and reason
able and worthy to control nations IN
their relations with each other. That,
at least. is about what the average man
understands the term TO mean.
IF it Is based in justice, II 1t does
tend 10 keep the peace between nations.
if its influnce is to protect the weak
from the trespasses of the strong. then,
surely. International law ought to be
translated into fact. 1t ought, also. to
BE- Incorporated into the system of mu-
nicipal laws of the various governments
and provision should be made for en-
forcement under proper penalties Tor
violation.
Action in Crises Needed.
.,-n<a-...., ,-.1.c.xto.a, I'm. 1. -,
automatic and does not. OF its own mo-
| ton. always get into operation in time
10 avoid the horrors of war and to pre-
| vent gross acts Of injustice. There
| should be some agency at hand in grea,
| crises 10 save nations from the conse-
auences of their own foIy and to COM
| pei the application of these just and
reasonable rules. Having been previous
" agreed to. they may. by their peril
nence 10 threatening conditions. avoid
the misery and waste Of war II oppor-
| tunely employed
/ The lnterparliamentary Union mas
exerted a great and. / think. whole
some 'niiuencs upon internationahsni'
or IN the development OF what Or.
Butler of Columbia calls the inter-
national mind II Is helping men 70
see across national boundaries. 1t Will
suffice In an address limited to eight
| oT ten minutes 10 refer to only one VI
! two OF its accomplishments.
1 Inc project TO establish an inter-
| national court Of arbitation is of long
| standing The minds Of men who be-
| heve that IL is better to promote COM
| merce than 10 impede it, to conserve
property than 10 destroy il, to save life
| than TO take ii, have long been turned
| In that direction. For these reasons
they stand for arbitration.
Must Educate Public.
The machinery for the rational set
tlement OF International disputes being
now provided. and mainly through the
work and influence Of the Interparlia-
mentary Union, il only remains to edu-
cate the public SO that the adhesion OF
all governments will be compelled
That is the work in which the union is
now engaged.
Il heard this week that a certain
eminent public man has said that he
does not believe in the plan put for
ward by the Secretary Of State for the
arbitrai settlement Of international
disputes because he regards war as q
great civiiizer. The Interpa parliamentary
Union was created for the specific
purpose OF opposing just such civiliz-
ing innuences as that gentleman stands
for. and when light shall have pene-
trated all dark places we will hone 10
have MIN as a recruit But for the
time beine We set against his dictum