The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-12-26
S~choolmasters Association
Meets for the 2O7th Time
Prof. Ellery Stowell of Columbia University Delivers
Address on Possibilities of international Law
Followed by Interesting QUESTIONABLE

F~ PDsshNo fuCStiOuos W. H1lRnv JuSt
as well accept the fact that in all the
realm that Is moi distinctly legal SUI
perior force dominates. This 10 a hard
gospel. but II IL the truth.
The Invasion Of Belgium constitutes
the greatest violation of International
law that has ever been perpetrated, and
VIII always go down in history TO the
shame OF Germany. That was not a
political question II was purely legal.
In time, 1t may Justify itself as a cruci-
hxion from which International law will
rise as 1t never could have risen with
out some such incident.
This illustrates that the excessive use
or oc IL a general sentiment
makes law. and not military necessity,
SO called.
The situation between Germany and
England is purely IA political situation
would have continued such. had not
Germany thrown down the gauntlet and
violated the neutrality OF Belgium.
When she did this 1t was Immediately a
question OF good faith on EnRland's
part. Germany a made International
law tremble from its very foundations.
and there was no other course for Eng
land TO take thai that which she did
pursue.
When this violation Of international
law occurred all nations should have
combined against Il. When the United
States failed to do that she thus far
contributed TO the weakening of inter-
national law. On this score there Is no
question that the ideas Of ex-President
Roosevelt are right. II Is the initial
blow which you a to look out for.
II We had made a forceful. vigorous
protest at hat time tho situation In the
world to-day would have been very DIFF
ferent. We are to remember also that
In doing this we should not have been
violating W~ashington's precept that we
must not become involved in European
politics, for this was not a question of
politics but of law.
There are certain forms in internal
tional law which it Is vitality important
to observe. Austria, for example. COM
mitted n fragrant violation Of one of
these forms when she sem her ultima
tum TO Serbia with only a few hours
for reply. but we did almost the same
thing In u wal with Spain. Our case
was not quite so bad. because we had
made 1t clear to Spain that war would
follow unless the reforms asked for In
Cuba were granted.
Another fallacy with regard TO inter-
national law is that II Is not observed.
II you were 10 go into a police court
In New York city. however, you would
hin hat our local laws are not OBJ
served.
Prof. John Bassett Moore has said
that international law Is better observed
on the whole a national law. We
see the one instance Of violation and
not the ninety-nine cases that are set
tied.
international law Is receiving almost
no attention from the average citizen.
but a change is coming. o will And
the reading of 1t a most interesting
hobby. Your prejudice falls away be-
fore the light Of this new science. You
should study H.. talk about II to you
students and your teachers. make II
of good rcpute. This will be extremely
valuable, because the great nations are
going to depend more n more on
democracy. and people are going 10 work
more effectively only as they know more
Of international law"
The discussion which followed Prof.
Stowell's address was remarkable in the
good nature shown. The association
comprises men whose feelings are ex-
treme on both sides involved in the war,
and yet there was the limos courtesy.
Prof. Stowell was particularly deft In
replying without reserve.
The first question was right from the
shoulder: you believe. then. that on
the whole. eX-President Roosevelt Is
right in his criticism OF the Administra-
ton in its foreign policy"
Prof. Stowell was firm in his agree
ment with ex-President Roosevelt. 81
do not know any political error so great
as that OF this Government In not COM
mencing to arm on August 4. 1914" he
| said. we would thus have been In
a position to insist upon the rights of
neutrals. and to my mind there is no
junction That Tins nrnyidad We could
have ended the war long before this.
Had we said with the strength Of might
that the neutrality of small countries
should not be violated. that floating
| mines should not be used, that passen-
ger ships should not be sunk without
the removal of the passengers to a place
of safety, there Is no question that these
violations which have shaken interna-
tional law to its very foundation would
not have occurred.
"There is no reason why peace should
not now be made. England knows that
cannot be quickly beaten,
Germany knows that England cannot
quickly win. but both will be exhausted
after three or four years. We cannot
Intervene, however. because we have not
made ourselves respected"
What do you think Of the cutting OF
the cables between Germany n neu
trail countries"
This Is Il most serious violation OF
international law. Free government In
sists upon the right Of Information.
Here England takes a most unfair adj
vantage. The engines of war are pub
licity, whereby we are led to think that
such and such Is SO finance, and arms.
England, in interfering with means OF
communication. makes II almost impos-
e;hle for one country to be understood
nv another country. She has not only
done this in the matter of the cables,
but as we'll with mail and with couriers.
II there Is one thing international law
needs IT is the right Of free communities
ton.
I'VE have not stood for the things