Daily Kennebec journal., 1921-08-13
Codification of
International Law
Urged by Bryce

Williamstown, Mass, Aug. p
lCodification of international law as
the natural complement and almost
indispensable accompaniment of an
international court OF justice" was
advocated by Viscount James Bryce
in a lecture before the Institute OF
Politics at Williams College tonight
An association should be created by
the civilized states he declared, to
codify and amend the rules of inter
national law. a work in which the
United States by its detachment
from European controversies would
be especially fitted to take a leading
part"
Speaking of the many questions
which arise out of international re-
lations Viscount Bryce said:
ITO deal with these subjects as
we'll as to revise and re-establish
when revised the rules of interna-
tienal law, that were accepted and
usually obeyed before 1914, there
ought to be some organized body
capable of undertaking the work.
Non official associations of jurists
fro mmany countries have for years
past been occupied with it and have
rendered eminent services. Might
not some new association be now
created by the civilized states, in
vested by them with authority to
amend and codify when amended,
those rules which they find best?
The United States by it's detach-
ment from Europe controversies
would be especially fitted to take a
leading part. 1t woulr be premature
to empower them to enact any code
they might prepare. but such a code
might be submitted to the associat-
ed states to be examined by the
lawyers and governments of each, so
that all such portions as were ac-
cepted might be adopted
! ''As diplomacy is the art by which
! international relations are handled
so international law contains the
rules so far as there are any to
which those relations ought to con
! form and by which they may. when
disturbed, be adjusted. 1t is a part
of the machinery which exists for
keeping the peace OF the world,
since it embodie sprincipals by
which states have agreed to be guild =
cd.
! "A rule supported by public opin-
ion and the breach of which exposes
! the offender to a legal or practical
! outlawry may be strong enough to
| have the force of law.
unfortunately, the rules for the
conduct of war are those which are
, most liable to be diSregarded when
! War comes because belligerent
state is tempted to resort to every
measure which promises success, the
prospect of Immediate gains to its
own arms over riding either moral
d considerations or the faith due to
treaties or the fear of the public
opinion of the world.
! We have got to hink more of in
ternatiOnal Jurisprudence in peace
time and turn it to better account
for peace purposes.
The idea of law that is of u
means of preserving order and pro-
tectng the weak by justice to the eX-
tluoiOlI VI NloitHtt HAS DtGU IDe
greatest influence making for the
! proper security of every community.
/ 1T has now to do the like work
! for the commonwealth of all man
! kind, forming and educating a public
opinion of the world which will i'm
pose Il check upon the violent or
aggressive propensities of any one
/ state. The idea of such a public
opinion has lacked body and sub
! stance. Such substance. such a con-
/ crete form, it may find in interna
! tonal law in proportion muy anchor
+ itself to law, law may instruct and
/ steady opinion. The task that now
lies before us is to see whether and
how the Judgment passed by law and
( supported by opinion can be made tc
be enforced between the nations"