Omaha daily bee., 1915-09-18
STATESMAN SEES
BRIGHT DAY AHEAD
Former Ambassador Bryce Hopes to
See International Code Adopted
Throughout Civilized World.
BUSY WITH LITERARY WORK

Correspondence OF The Associated Press)
LONDON, Aug. S.--The Noise Of war
is all-pervading here and little but war
~ in the minds Of people. But out Of the |
blackness OF war details, accounts OF |
battles. long casualty lists, war loans. |
recruiting and ammunition supplies the |
student habits of viscount Bryce, in
viewing the historical values of events
permit him to detach himself from the |
day-to-day turmoil and take his bearings
on some Of the larger results that may
come out OF the struggle.
When seen in his study by q representa-
tive Of The Associated Press Lord Bryce
showed the same keen interest in Ameri-
can affairs that has made him an au-
thority on them since his American Com
monwealth appeared, and the same init
mate acquaintance with American men
and affairs, political and party questions
and public issues. He Is little changed
from his days as ambassador at WASH
ington; the same alertness and intense
keenness of manner; his shaggy full beard
and heavy eyebrows now quite white;
every movement having the vigor of a
man of middle life
Since Bryce became a member OF the
to the pressing questions now crowding
on Parliament. taking quarters within
easy reach Of the upper chamber at West
minister, where he often joins in the seri-
Gus and rather heavy debates OF that
august body. And yet he finds time for
his literary work and for gauging some
OF the historical results likely or possible
to survive the conflict.
Military Party Dominant.
The interest taken in America in Lord
Bryce's report on Alleged Atrocities
Committed by the Germans in Belgium"
was a source of much satisfaction TO him.
1.-THE committee over which | presided
reached conclusions very slowly and re-
luctantly,' he said Il personally have
many friends in Germany and ] could
hardly believe that such things could be
true, or that they knew such things were
happening, But beginning with an open
mind and even in doubt, the truth OF the
charges was finally forced upon all the
committee by the accumulation OF evil
6ence. AS II is, l cannot believe the
German people know what is going on.
They receive only the military version
and the people are not aware of the real
conditions, not only as to Belgium, but
in the whole range of events connected
with the war. The military party with
its Won Bernhard spirit is still com
pletely dominant
Reference was made in the course OF
the talk to Lord Bryces pamphlet on
Neutral Nations and the War" and to
some interpretations drawn from 1t on
some OF the larger results which might
come out of the war Although these In
terpretations were not intended at the
time for publication, Lord Bryce later
approved their use as expressing his view,
as follows:
some Things to BE Gained.
1T Is too soon to say what the war
will bring in good or evil. But we can at
least hope, and perhaps see .dinaly. some
OF the things to be gained. One OF the
most desirable. should say. will be the
territorial integrity of small states-Bel-
Rfum. Serbia, Switzerland. Holland. II
this war means anything II means that a
group Of great states are banded together
in protecting the small states against alb
sorption and humiliation. The small
state has been as useful in its way to the
worlds progress as the great state, and
between antagonistic races.
"And yet the small state cannot exist
under the rule of force and the survival
of the strongest as 1t has not the re-
sources for vast military establishments;
of incalculable value as a pacific barrier
it's very existence depends on the good
faith OF the great and powerful states In
dealing with It, So that either the small
state Is going to disappear in this con-
flct or is to emerge with far greater 60
curity than II had before, and with last
ing assurance OF its territorial integrity
and the good faith OF great states in deal
ing with it, / do not doubt that the re-
suit will be IN favor of the small state
and that It will be one of the most bene-
'icial results to come out OF the conflict"
As TO Future Effect.
Lord Bryce was asked II this would not
lead TO some Misunderstanding OF treati,s
so that It would become the duty Of the
great states to uphold treaty obligations
toward the small state.
Yes. that is what we all desire that is
what the article referred to was meant
to advocate; II Is one OF the larger results
which we may foresee with some hope
of realization" said Lord Bryce.
This war has Increasingly shown the
need Of an international code under which
treaties are not alone respected by states
party to them. but are part of an inter
national code Of honor which all states
are bound TO uphold Under such code
any state disregarding a treaty obligation
il has solemnly undertaken offends not
only the other contracting party to the
obligation. but also the entire interna-
tional bond OF states leagued TO uphold
the sanotity Of international compacts.
And once that principle il firmly estab-
hshed. as l trust and believe It will be.
then It follows that some means will be
found by which the international code
will be made effective through the uni
versal moral influence, and II need be the
universal force OF the civilized nations Of
the world"