New-York tribune., 1916-01-17
Present Rules Have Little
Regard for Neuirals,
Says Secretary.
AMERICAS URGED
TO ACT AT ONCE
Institute Committee Suggested
to Adopt Code That Will
Reverse Tradition.
fFrnm Tho Trlhnne Rnreaul

Washington, Jan. l6 Asserting that
ing neutrality is composed Of judicial
decisions and international agreements
(which have given all the advantage TO
the belligerent and have shown little
regard for the rights Of ncutrals," Sec
Tetary Lansing to-day sent to Or.
James Brown Scott, president Of the
newly organized American Institute Of
international Law, q memorandum sug-
gestng study OF neutral rights and
duties, with view 10 drawing up a
Pan-American code more favorable TO
neutrals. The institute is composed Of
five eminent publicists from each Of
the twenty-one American republics.
at would appear" says Mr. Lansng's
communication, that il is time 20 re-
erse this process Of treatment OF the
subject Of neutrality and TO deal with
il from the point Of view Of the neu-
trail"
fhtAiOAkA Alit iIfUlOi dtQuUl lHhhFN iO
mention Of incidents Of the European
war, which affected either the United
States or others Of the American re-
publlcs, 1t is regarded here as being Of
vital significance, especially to the peo-
pies OF the Western Hemisphere.
NeutraIs Should Act Now.
Besides being taken as a frank ex-
preston Of Mr.. Lansing's attitude tow
ard circumstances in which the United
States and other American governments
have occupied difficult positions because
Of the operations of European bellig-
erents, il is also considered as an in
dication Of the feeling on the part Of
the respective American governments
that efforts should be made at once 70
prevent, in case Of another world war,
repetition Of conditions under which
neutral nations have suffered severely.
Mr.. Lansing is one Of the five men,
bers of the institute representing this
country. The other four are Elihu
Root, honorary president; DR.. Scott,
president; Robert Bacon, ex-Ambassa-
dor 10 France. and DR.. Leo ). Rowe. OF
the University Of Pennsylvania. AL
though the constitution of the institute
confines its purposes mainly to devel-
oping international law and populariz-
ing its principles among the peoples OF
the American continent, it has taken
steps which indicate that its activity
will be worldwide.
DR.. Scott announced to-day that cor
responding members have been elected
in most of the European nations. in
GLIDING both belligerents and neu-
trails.
Germany is 10 be represented by
Hamburger and Shucking, Austria-Hun-
gary by Lammasch. Belgium by Alberto
and Rolin, Great Britain by Lawrence,
Holland and Oppenheim, France By
Renault. de Lapradelle and Fauch lie,
Italy by Cattellani and Anzilotti, the
Netherlands by de Louter Norway by
Gram and Hagerup Sweden by kleen
and Russia by Taube.
Present Rules Inadequate.
The full text Of Secretary Lansing's
memorandum follows.
AT the first meeting OF the inst.-
tute had the honor to direct at
tention to the imperfect code Of rules
which define and govern the relations
between beligerents and neutral.
These rules. which have grown up dur
.ng the last l25 years and have been
in some cases differently interpreted
by courts of different countries. have
been frequently found inadequate to
meet new conditions of warfare, and
as a result everv war has changed.
modified or added to the rules, gener-