New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-09-02
George V, in Special Message,
Hopes for Much Good from
Conference of Law
yerS at Montreal.
NEW INTERNATIONAL FAITH
y. S., England and Canada,
SAYS Chancellor, Can Form a
Group Of Untried Type
Kellogg Condemns Cali
fornias Alien Law.

Haldane Of Cloan. formed the principal
feature Of tie opening meeting to-day
Of the American Bar Association.
\ notable feature of the days pro-
gramme was the comforting Of honor
airy degrees McGnl University upon
the following distinguished members
Of the lie. al profession:
Viscount Hdldane. Chief Justice Ed
ward Douglas White. the United
States: Prime Minister Robert L. Bor-
den. ~ Canada: Maitre r Labor,
Batonnier de rOrdre des Avocats la
Cour de Paris. Frame; William II.
Taft. ex-President Of the United
States. Charles J. DCherty. Minister
Of Justice and Attorney General OF
Canada: JOS n .l Choate. eX-Ambas-
sador from the United States to Great
Britain: Elhu Root. United States
Senator from New York. and Frank
B. kellogg, president Of the associa-
tion.
4.e stage was decorated with the
Union Jack as a centrepiece. the stars
and Stripes on the right an the TIL
color Of France on III, left. in honor OF
the eminent French advocate Maitre
Labori. All the prominent lawyers
had been greeted with applause when
they entered the theatre, but the eli
may n the enthusiasm came when the
Lord High Chancellor, accompanied by
Joseph H. Choate and Sir Kenneth
Muir-Mac ,nzie. principal secretary TO
the Lord Chancellor. arrived.
Lord HaIdsne's Speech.
Viscount Haldane had an audience
which completely filed the Princess
Theatre and which included many Of
the great legal lights of Western
continent and several from Europe.
His theme was Higher Nationality
Study in Law and Ethics The speak
or held the attention Of his hearers
until the md Of his address. which was
only a little under ten thousand words
long.
Il was in many ways an epoch max
ing speech. dealing as II did with the
future relationships OF the United
States. Canada and Great Britain. The
Lord Chancellor told how British law
in the early days was largely vested
in the sovereign Of the realm, who had
associated with him the chancellor as
the executive Of the kings justice.
That ancient law was based upon ex-
perience rather than upon logic. he
said. and this fact had influenced the
law and the constitutions of the three
great nations Of the West-England,
France and America.
The speaker argued that the great
force that actuated mankind in observ-
ing the law was not fear Of the officers
Of justice, but fear of public opinion.
and that therefore public opinion
tended more than the arbitrary execu-
ton OF justice TO restrain men from
lawbreaking. Developing this argu-
ment. Lord Haldane proceeded to sug
gest that the same policy might posi-
bly, be adopted by nations. and that the
time had come when nations might be
as much ashamed 10 follow the ancient
methods Of settling differences and dis
putes as individuals had become in late
years.
Unique Group Of Three.
The Lord Chancellor emphasized the
fact that the United States. Canada
and Great Britain together form a
unique group because Of the common
inheritance Of traditions. surroundings
and ideals. and particularly in the
region Of Jurisprudence. He declared
that lawyers will be more and more
called upon 10 mould opinion and en-
courage the nations OF this group 70
develop and recognize reliable char
acter OF the obligations they assume
toward each other. He considered that
there are relations possible within such
group that are not possible for nations
more isolated and lacking identity OF
history and spirit. Canada. Great
Britain and the United States win
common language. common interests
common ends. resemble single so
ciety, which might develop foundation
for international faith OF kind new
In the history Of the world.
The English visitor urged lawyers 70
assist in the freshening OF the conVen-
uonal atmosphere which surrounds
men IN public life by emitting no OPP
portunity 10 think rightly and to con-
tribute 10 the fashiOning Of a more
hopetul and resolute kind OF public
opinion. II was the chance OF laying
Deiore the audience al the American
lar Association ~ Montreal this
thought that induced him 20 obtain
permission from King George to visit
this meeting
Continuing. Lord Haldane presented
the following message from King
George V:
= have given my Lord Chancellor
permission to cross the seas, so that he
may address the meeting at Montreal
have asked him to convey from me
TO that great meeting Of the lawyers Of
tho United States and Of Canada my
best wishes for its success. entertain
the hope that the elaboration. Of tho
distinguished men o. both countries who
are 70 assemble at Montreal may add