New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-11-27
Can't Stop Breaches
of Civilization. Says
Sir Edward Carson.
NEUTRALS LET
LAWS LAPSE
Inept and POWerless, He
Asserts-Praise for
WhitlOCk.
fRy Cabs 20 The Tribune. ]

LOndOn, NOV. EO.-cPeohi'6 w
fore an audience of Americans to-
day, Sir Edward Carson, ex-British
Attorney General, laid the response
biity for the lapse of international
law on the neutral nations.
By their failure to follow up the
breaches of the laws of warfare, Sir
Edward said. the whole structure OF
international agreements had been
rendered impotent. and a heavy
charge laid against the future. Mere
protests. he declared, while they
might serve as sop to the con-
sciences Of neutrals, we're futile.
Just as you may delude or mys-
tify or lull into a sense of security"
said Sir Edward, "our own citizens
by speeches and perorations-you
will not thereby win a war--so in
the international sphere you may by
diplomatic notes, numerous and
strong, satisfy the consciences OF
your citizens, but you will not by
mere note maintain the obligations
put upon you as parties to interna-
tional law, which 1, to prevent
breaches Of civilization and TO miti-
gate the horrors of warfare"
The ex-Attorney General spoke as
the guest of the American Luncheon
Club on "The Duty of Neutrals.'
After acknowledging the introduc-
tory speech, which praised him as an
Irishman, Sir Edward said:
81 am proud to be an Irishman,
but at the same time | am not a
hyphenated Britisher."
The speaker said that he would
make no startling revelations, for un-
Ill recently he had been a member Of
the Cabinet-at all events a part OF it,
though just how much Of it he never
quite knew.
Calls Neutrals Impotent.
Discussing neutrality, Sir Edward
said:
America is the greatest neutral al
the present moment. When | mention
America as the greatest neutral
naturally / turn TO tho conduct o.
neutrals in relation to the mitigation
of the horrors of war. And nothing
fills me more with dismay when |
think Of the outcome OF the horrible
period through which we are passing
than the fact-I am not blaming any
body. but il is a fact-that interna-
tional law, the product of all the peace
instincts of all nations, with : view to
preventing interruption to civilization,
even in time Of hostilities, has, -ear,
been entirely abolished, or, at any rate
greatly encroached upon the impotence
of the neutrals themselves"
Sir Edward Carson explained that
conventions adopted in times Of peace
could only be upheld by neutrals.
abolish the power of countries not
at war and you abolish international
law itself" he said. This war from
the start has shown the ineptitude and
powerlessness Of neutrsls."
Sir Edward said the invasion Of Bel
glum showed the futilty of guarantees,
although they were supported by the
great powers of Europe.
Fears Armaments of Future.
The speaker then expressed his fear
for the future. since, If international
law proved futile in this conflict, no
faith could be put in future conven-
tions. There could only be one safe
guard for peaee-increased srmaments
and the maintenance of greater armies
than in the past, he sid.
81 could never get through II ! at
tempted to describe the many dement's
they have conferred on humanity, even
if they have not done all we hoped for
in this terrible struggle. But tneIr
latest one-and not the least-i cali u
mind in the murder of that brave wom-
an in Belgium, Nurse Cavell. Never
will there depart from the minds ol
Englishmcn and Irishmen who under
stand the situation the brave ana hu
mane efforts made BY Brand WhitlocA
and Hugh Gibson, who, indeed; lu-
filled not merely the functions o, rep
masont.tives ua.s OF your great United
S,otss hut showed themselves men who
had engraved in them those great quail
;,ios nGo and feelings Of humanity which.
even @ in times Of war. are implanted by
our great Mixer, of mercy forgiveness
and comfort, developed in them in the
highest degree. We are grateful to
-, America ought TO be proud OF