The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1916-01-24

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ing the greatest international signii,
canoe. The fact that II was framed
by body, whose members represent
the best international law opinion o!
the American countries. is taken as
a significant indication OF Pan
American solidarity.
Although framed by a private
body, tho declaration nevertheless
Is understood to express the attitude
toward international law of the
American continent, inasmuch as Its
trainers are drawn from among the
most eminent authorities on interna-
tional law in their respective coun-
tries. In fact, 1t is said that when
the original draft Of the declaration
was presented to the body in execu,
tive session, with an explanation that
It was founded on the American Dec
laration of Independence, the mem
bers unanimously took the stand
that the principles laid down admit
ted OF no discussion.
M European nation is mentioned
in the declaration. nor does 1t con
tain any reference, direct or irdi'
rect to the incidents which have af
fectcd the North and South American
countries during the present war
Nevertheless it is taken as a pro
nouncelnent of the position of thu
Americas with regard to violation oil
neutral territory and the rights ol
neutral citizens and states. The five
articles, without the preamble and CT
tati0ns OF famous legal decisions, fol
/ low:
| Right to Exist.
|. Every nation has the right tt
exist, to protect and to conserve Its
existence; but this right neither in
plies the right nor justifies the act o.
the state to protect itself or to con
serve its existence by the commits
sion of unlawful acts against limo
cent and unoffending states.
This right is, and is to be under
stood in the sense in which the RICH
to life Is understood in national law
according to which it Is unlawful fol
a human being to take human life
unless it be necessary so to do II
self-defense against an unlawful at
tack threatening the life Of the part
unlawfully attacked.
II. Every nation has the right t
independence in the sense that 1t ha'
n right to the pursuit of happiness
and is free to develop itself withou
interference or control from othe
states. provided that in SO doing |
does not interfere with or violate tn
Just rights of other states.
Equal in Law.
III. Every nation is in law an
before law the equal Of every othe
state composing the society of ma
tions, and all states have the right t
claim. and, according to the Declare
ton of Independence Of the Unite
States, "to assume, among, the pow
ers of the earth, the separate an
equal station to which the laws G
natures Gcd entitle them"
III. Every nation has the right t
territory within defined boundarie
and to exercise exclusive jurisdlctio
over this territory, and all person
whether native or foreign foun
therein.
V. Every nation entitled to
right by the law of nations Is entitie
TO have that right respected and pr
tected by all other nations for rigf
and duty are correlative, and tn
right of one is the duty OF all to oil
serve.
y Root Honorary President.
The institute Is composed OF 10
members. FIVE representatives fro'
the National Society of Internation'
Law which has been founded in eac
of the twenty-one American repul
lies The honorary president is Eth
Root former secretary OF state, an
the president is DR.. James Brow
Scott. Secretary Of State I.ansinI
Robert Bacon, former secretary
state and American ambassador
France, and DR.. Leo S. Rowe, OF tn
: University OF Pennsylvania, are til
other members of the institute frol
: the United States.
DR.. Alexandra Alvarez, forne
I counsellor to the Chilean legation
/. Europe and member Of the Perm'
: nent Court of Arbitration at Tn
: Haugue, Is secretary-general Of til
l institute; and It's treasurer Is ID
! Luis Anderson, OF Costa RIGA, formt
: minister from that country to u
, United States and president Of tt
' Central American Peace Conference
: which met in Washington. In add
3 ton to the officers the executive con
: mittee includes Antonio Sanchez 4
t Bustamente, member of the Cuba
$ Senate, member of the Permanei
: Court OF Arbitration at The Hagr
! and delegate to the Second Haugr
1 Peace Conference. and Joaquin !
1 Casasus, of Mexico, former ambass'
8 dor to the United States, and men
Der Of the Permanent Court of Arb
tratlon at The Hague.
{ Virtually all OF the countries
: Europe, however, also are represen
. ed In the institute, since one or mol
: corresponding members have bee
{ elected in each, including the mo-
: distinguished authorities on intern
: ton law in all Of the nations now
g war. The official recognition O.
i joyed by the Institute Is instanced
s the fact that the Cuban governmei
9 has requested that its next meeting
: January, 1917. be held in Hayan