The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-08-08
WSCOUNT BR|CE |S
 STILL INTERESTED
Finds Time to Keep in Touch With American Affairs
REPORT ON ATROCITIES
Does Not Believe German People Know What Is Being Done-Small States Will Either Disappear or
 Be Incidentally Stronger

London, July 2o-(Correspondenc of the Associated Press. )-The noise of war Is all pervading here and little but war is in the minds of people,. But out of the blackness of war details. accounts of battles, long casualty lists, war loans. recruiting, ammunition supplies the stu dent habits of viscount Bryce. in view ing the historical values of events per- init 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 seex in his study by representa- tive of the Associated Press Lord Bryce showed the same keen interest in Ameri- can affairs that has made him an author ity on them since his American Common wealth" appeared, and the same intimate acquaintance with American men and af- fairs, political and party questions and public issues. He Is little changed from his days as ambassador at Washington: 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 he became a member of the House of Lords he gives much attention to the pressing questions now erowding on Parliament, taking quarters within easy reach of the upper chamber at Westminster, where he often Joins in the serious and rather heavy debates of that august body. And yet he finds time for his literary work and for gaug- ing some of the historical results likely or possible to survive the conflict
 Gratified at Interest
 The interest taken in America in Lord Pryce's notable report on Alleged At tal |. Belgium was source of much satis- faction to him. .The committee over which presided reached conclusions very slowly and reluctantly" he said T per- sonally have many friends in Germany and l could hardly believe that such things could be true or that they knew such things were happening. But begin ming with an open mind, and even in doubt, the truth of the charges was finally forced upon all the committee by the accumulation of evidence. As 1t 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 Bernhardi spirit is still completely dominant"
 Reference was made in the course of the talk to Lord Bryce's pamphlet on
 Neutral Nations and the War" and to some interpretations drawn from it in some of the larger results which might come out of the war. Although these interpretations were not intended at the time for publication, Lord Bryce later approved their use as expressing his view, as follows:
 War and NeutraIs
 Tt is too soon to say what the war will bring in good evil. But we can n ca st ,1x-i some of the things to be gained. One of the most desirable I should say. will be the territorial integrity of small states Belgium. Servia, Switzerland, Holland. If this war means anything it means that . group of great states are handed to- gether in protecting the small states against absorption and annihilation. The small state has been as useful in It's way to the worlds progress as the great state, and of incalculable value as a pacific barrier between antagonistic races. And yet the small state cannot exist under the rule of force and the survival of the strongest, as it has not the resources for vast military establish ments; it's very existence depends on the Food faith of the great and powerful states in dealing with it. So that either the small state is going to disappear in this conflict, or is to emerge with far greater security than it had before, and with ldStlnB assurances or It's terrltOrlal integrity and the good faith of great states in dealing with it. l do not doubt that the result will be in favor of the small state, and that it will be one of the mos st beneficial results to come out Of the conflict
 Lord Bryce was asked if this would not lead to some itnernationalizlng of trea- ties so that it would become the duty of the great states to uphold treaty ob- 1 lgations toward the small state.
 "Yes. that is what we all desire" that is V hat the article referred to was meant l tn advocate; it is one of the larger re- 1 suits which we may foresee with some l hope of realizaton," said Lord Bryce | This war las increasingly shown the 1 need of an international code under which l treaties are not alone respected by states | party to them, but are part of an inter- ns lionai ccde of honor which all states 1 arc bound to uphold Under such a code any state disregarding a treaty obliga- | tion 1t has solemnly undertaken, offends | not only the other contracting party to l the obligation but also tfe entire inter- l national bond of states leagued to up- | hold the sanctity of International com | pacts And once that principle is firmly | established, as l trust and beIeve it will l be, then 1t follows that some means be found by which the international code | will be made effective through the uni | ver sal moral influence. and if need be | the universal force of the civilized na- | tons of the word.'