Evening journal., 1915-06-14
JUDGE CRAY BACKS
UP Wilson's STAND
Venerable Jurist Urges Am
ericanS to Take Firm
Stand
TIME TO ENFORCE
INTERNATIONAL LAW

ATLANTIC CITY, n. j., June IA
Judge George Gray, of Wilmington,
former United States Senator and a
member of the International Perma-
nent Court Of Arbitration under The
Hague Conference, addressing the New
Jersey Bar Association in convention
here on Saturday asserted that that
time had come, "as never before in our
eventful history" for America to as
sert the vital character and binding
force of the obligations which interna-
tional law had placed upon belligerent
nations
The destruction of uiN1rmed mer-
chant ships without regard TO the lives
or safety of noncombatant passen-
gers and crew was characterized by
Judge Gray as $50 revolving to the
commonest instincts of humanity" as
to be presumably unthinkable in the
minds of those who framed this con-
vention" Cat The Hague).
OF President Wilson's notes to Ger
many Judge Gray had This to say:
1T was with a decent respect to
the opinion of mankind that our Pres
ident has, with dignity. clearness and
force, declared the obligations of this
law in his recent message TO one of
the warning powers, and has denoun-
ced the destruction of an unarmed
merchant vessel, which involved the
sacrifice of the lives of more than
1000 innocent men, women and chill
dren, including more than 100 peacea-
BILE citizens of our own country. We
all know how the wording Of his
message has stirred the hearts of his
countrymen and aroused in his sup
port the patriotic spirit of the whole
nation for which he was spokesman.
"There was the strength OF modera-
ton in its tone that befitted the char
acter of a great law-abiding and JUS
tice-loving people. Upon that i'm
pregnable rock of law and humanity
the President has taken his stand. In
this we have given and will continue
10 give him our confidence and sup
port"
Savagery and LaYIessness.
Amid all the savagery and law
lessness which have been engendered
by this unprecedented strife" Judge
Gray said. referring 10 the European
war, respect for international law
has not entirely perished It's pre-.
cepts are still appealed to by the war
ring nations and its obligations are
recognized even in their violation.
However this may be for those ma
tions who are fortunate enough TO
be outside of this terrific conflict, and
who have proclaimed their neutrality.
the positive rules of international law
are not silent. hut have become of
transcendant Importance.
"Never before ir our eventful his
tory has the time been so opportune
or the conditions so ex,gerf, for our
country 10 assert the rights chat be-
long to a neutral nation and to in
woke the principles of thar great body
Of law. whose eXi~ience AMI develop
ment has been one or the crowning
glories of our civilization. II is for
us, as never before, 10 stand up for
and assert the vital character and
binding force of the obligations
which this law has imposed
upon helligerent nations. for
the protection of neutral rights. In do
ing so, we are performing a service
to the world and humanity and even
to the belligerent nations themselves.
who, when the passions or war have
subsided. will recognize that their
own essential rights and interests
nave been preserved"
Cites Stand Of Hague Convention.
The work accomplished bv the sec
ond Hague conference was reviewed
in detail. In this connection Judge
GRAY said:
without expressly so stating. this
convention recognizes the right of
capture of enemy's merchant ships,
but prescribes with much particular
ity that the captain. officers and men,
bers of the crew of such merchant
ship are not to be made prisoners of
war. on condition that they give their
parole not to undertake while hostili-
tics last. any service connected with
the operations of war.
1.-THE care with which the SAFETY
and treatment of the officers and crew
Of such noncombatant ships are pro-
vided for in this convention gives to
its silence in regard to the intenti IN
al destruction of such ships witrou.
regard 10 The lives or safety of the
hclCOmba'ant passengers and crews
thereon a significance more impress
sive than the most express words of
remuneration could do. Such an act
so revolving to the commonest -
stincts Of humanity. was presume ply
u1thinkahle in the minds CT those
who framed this convention. and was
undoubtedly sufficiently covered. by
Implication at least. in all the well
settled rules of international law.
In conclusion Judge cray said:
I'VE stand today in the shadow OF
great world calamity. and our
hearts and minds are filled with seri.
Gus thought and anxiety as 10 the
attitude of our country as a neutral
power Whatever position we assume
there is no doubt that we snail pre-
sent united front to the nations of
the world. American tradition rorbids
us to believe otherwise than that our
position would be based upon ius-
tice and that we shall maintain the
right as God gives us to see the
right"