The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-11-27
Sir Edward Carson Dis cusses Duty of Neutrals
 at Luncheon
AMERICA WORLDS
 GREATEST NEUTRAL
Says International Law Is Product of Peace, But Since Almost Entire World Is at War It Does
 Not Now Exist

1 London November 26.-Speaking as the i guest of honor at the American Luncheon l club, Sir Edward Carson, former attorney general, discussed the duty of neutrals. :" l Sir Edward expressed the fear that in ternational law had been entirely abol- ished, or at any rate, greatly encroached upon, by the impotence of the neutrals themselves. After acknowledging the in- troductory speech, which praised him as
 an Irishman, Sir Edward said: 'I am proud to be an Irishnan, but at the same time I am not hyphenated Britisher''
 The speaker said he would make no ! startling revelations, for until 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. Discussing neutrality, Sir Edward said America is the greatest neutral at the present moment. When I mention
 America as the greatest neutral, naturally turn to the conduct of neutrals in rela- tion to the mitigation of the horrors of var. And nothing fills me more with dis may when I think of the outcome of the horrible period through which we are passing than the fact--I am not blam- ing anybody, but it is fact-that inter- national law, the product of all the peace
 
 preventing interruption to civilization even in time of hostilities, has, I fear been entirely abolished, or, at any rate, greatly encroached upon by the impo- | tence of the neutrals themselves Sir Edward then explained that conven- tions adopted in times of peace could only be upheld by neutrals. Abolish the power of countries not at war and you abolish international law it. self" the speaker said. This war from the start has shown the inaptitude and powerlessness of neutrals.'
 NEUTRALS POWERLESS Sir Edward said the invasion of Bel gium showed the futility of guarantees, although they were supported by the great powers of Europe and added: "The necessity for the maintenance, the sustaining and supporting of interna- tlonal law and international Jurisprudence becomes more vivid--is more brought home to uswhen we remember that a breach of international law, necessarily in the rules of war, leads to reprisals-and reprisais know limit Therefore, the first breach leads on in the downward
 path almost to it's abrogation. "Just as you may deluge or mystify or Hull into sense of security our own citi- zens by speeches and operations, you will not thereby win a war so in the in leTIldtlolidl sphere you llidy Dy ulplOllatlc notes, numerous and strong, satisfy the 1 consciences of your citizens, but you will
 not by mere note maintain the obliga-
 tions put upon you as parties to interna- tional law, which is to prevent breaches
 of civilization and to mitigate the horrors of war;
 from Baldwin county, where he spent | the future, since if international law proved futile in this conflict no faith
 could be put in future conventions. There could only be one safeguard for peace ! increased armaments and the mainten-
 ance of greater armies than in the past,
 he said.