Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-01-24
BASIS FOR UNION
OF THE AMERICAS
Declaration Prepared by lansing,
Root and Scott and Adopted
by the Convention.
NOT YET OFFICIALLY RATIFIED

WARRINGTON, Jan. 23.---A pam
American Declaration Of the Rights
Of Nations" prepared by Secretary
Lansing. Blihu Root and Dr. James
Brown Scott and adopted in execu-
tive session by the American Insti-
tute of Technical Law at its recent
convention held here under the aus
pices of the Pap-American Scientific
congress, was made public today by
Dr. Scott, president OF the institute.
Although the declaration lacks the for.
NAL ratification OF the twenty-one Amer
ican republics and therefore IL not an
official document. It's trainers believe
that &c correctly sets forth the official
views Of ell the American common
wesiths. Before the institute was called
upon to conelder Il. the declaration was
submitted 70 and approved by the su-
thorities on International law IN the
South American republics. including Am
baasador Huarez and Or. Alojandro Al.
varez Of Chile. II was unanimously
adopted February by the Institute.
whose membership OF los - made no 81
five experts on International law from
each OF the twenty-one American re-
publics.
Embodfes EIementaI Rights.
The declaration. II "a said, embohies
the institutes conception OF only eie-
mental national rights. and will be fur.
Their considered at the next meeting Of
the institute IN Havana nest year. IL
contains five primary sections which
were fashioned with the United states
Declaration OF Independence In mind a.
a model and which read a. follows,
4. Every nation has the right TO exist.
70 protect and to conserve its existence:
but this right neither implies the right
nor justifies the act OF the state 70 pro-
tect itself or 10 conserve It's existence
by the commission OF unlawful acts
against innocent and unoffendina states.
q Every nation has the right To in
dependence in the sense that Il has a
right 20 the pursuit. Of happiness. and is
free TO develop itself without interfer-
once or control from other states. pro-
vided that In so doing II does not inter
fere with or violate the Just rights OF
other states.
All Nations Are Hqual.
.. Every nation IL in law ana before
law the equal OF every other state com.
posing the society OF nations, and All
states have the right 10 claim. and. ae-
couing 70 the Declaration OF Indepen-
dence OF the United States. 20 assume.
among the Powers Of the earth, the SEN
arate and equal station TO which the
laws of nature and Of natures dod en-
titie Thorn.
Every nation has the right OF tar
ritory within defined boundaries ana a.
exercise exclusive jurisdiction over this
territory, and all persons, whether ma
tive or foreign. found therein.
u Every nation entitled 60 4 flrht
~ the law Of nations Is entitled 20 navs
that right respected and protectpd ~ Al,
other nations, for right and duty ara for.
relative, and the right OF one Is the duty
OF all 10 Observe
Within che rreanbie.
The preamble to the resolution emhody.
ing the declaration reads az follows.
whereas. The municipal law OF civil.
lised nations recognizes and protects the
rieht 70 life, the right TO liberty, ID
which the Declaration Of Independence
Of the United States adds the right 10 the
pursuit Of happiness. the right 10 legal
equality. the right TO property, and the
Fitht 20 the enjoyment OF the Aforesaid
rights. creating q duty on the part OF the
citizens or subjects Of each nation 70 OBJ
serve them; and.
Whereas, These fundamental rights.
thus universally recognized, are familiar
TO tho peoples Of ali civilized countries:
and.
whereas. These fundamental rights
can be stated in terms Of international
law and can be applied to the relations
Of tho mernbers Of the society Of nations.
one with another. Just as they have been
applied in tho relations OF citizens OF
subjects 1.-the states forming the Society
OF Nasiohs; and.
Rights that Are Natural.
Whereas. These fundamental rights
Of national Jurisprudence, namely the
right to life. the right TO liberty. the right
10 the pursuit OF happiness. the right "a
equality before the law. the right 20