The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1915-01-18
"A new international Law will come into force
which will give neutral nations the right to
kick the fighters out Of the way if they in
terfere with them, and to say whether
band of ruffian nations shall disturb the
peace Of the world or keep their quarrels
within their own territory"
By Professor George w. Kirchwey,
Columbia University Address Cooper
By Professor George w. kirchwey,


q rather CHASTITY joke, but he really went to
the very heart Of the matter-the rights OF
neutrals in the face Of this revival of bar.
barism which we call war.
am not prepared to say that II two men
want to tight. they should not do SO; but
do insist that they shall not occupy my parlor
and break up my property in their struggle.
The rights Of neutral nations could be put into
a thimble; but their obligations would fill
'hogshead. Belligerents, apparently, have the
right to inhict all these horrors and misery
upon neutral powers under the laws Of the
game regulated by international law.
new International law which will sooner
or later come into force will give neutral
nations the right to kick the fighters out Of
the way If they interfere with them. and to
say whether band OF ruif1an nations shall
disturb the peace of the world or keep their
quarrels within their own territory.
What can we do? There is no principle in
International law or international morality
better settled than the one that the territory
of a neutral power is sacred. This does not
rest the Hague Convention; for hundred
years 1t has been the law of nations that the
territory Of neutral power is 1nviolable.
The United States May 4As.G
Be Treated Like Belgium.
Suppose Canada is to be invaded by Ger
many and she discovers that the forts OF
Canada are too strong to be brokea down.
and that the best way to reach Canada Is
through the United States-by way of Bos-
ton and Maine, or up the Hudson River. Sup
pose Germany brought feet of transports
to New York and demanded that we permit
them to sail up the Hudson River. Or Sup.
pose again that Germany should descend upon
Caneda by way of the St Lawrence. and Great
a. 80 ha~n
to fight the German invaders. and decided
the best way to get at them would be to send
her troops up the Hudson.
What would be our duty In the matter?
We are not protected by any Hague confer
ences, no nation guarantees our neutrality.
We would stand upon our simple rights as
an independent nation and say to both Great
Britain and Germany:
1--WE cannot permit you to use our territory
for an attack upon a neighbor with whom we
are not at war. II you insist upon making the
attempt we shall use whatever force Is neces'
sary to prevent you carrying out your plan.'
Suppose the Kaiser should say to US: so
much the worse for you, then. we will go
through your country, and your ultimate fate
will be decided at the end of the war;"
This is exactly what happened to Belgium.
As result that innocent and unfortunate
country Is in ruins. Under the rules of intsr.
national law and morality a grave crime was
committed against this nation, and this coun.
try. the greatest of the neutral powers.
should have uttered its protest. It was our
duty to do
What is this whole system Of international
law about which there is so much talk at the
present time? That body Of principles repre-.
sents a long struggle Of the international mind,
the long struggle Of European culture and
civilization to raise itself out Of savagery and
barbartsm. These principles of international
law and morality are the highest achievement
Of civilization in the last two hundred
years. We had come to rely upon these rules
to mitigate the horrors Of warfare.
For many years we have made efforts to get
more things neutralized, to neutralize the Suaz
Canal, the Panama Canal; to neutralize ship
ping at sea, and so Yet there is this
curious thing about international law. Law.
yers say it is only a system OF morality and