Evening star., 1922-04-28
ROOT LEADS DRIVE
FOR WORLDLAWS
Hopes international Society
May Gather Material at
Convention Here.

The American Society of Interna-
tional Law, which last night opened
its sixteenth annual meeting at the
the president, Elihu Root. and others,
set to work today, through its COM
mittee for the advancement Of inter-
national law, to discuss the practical
problems to be considered in provid-
ing material upon which the society
hopes nations may later build struc-
ture Of such law.
Mr.. Root, in addressing the commit
tee this morning before it adjourned
to its four subcommittees for work.
asserted that perhaps the time was
not yet opportune to proceed with an
exact statement of the principles OF
international law, but that il any re-
suit was to be achieved there must
be a beginning some time. He hoped
that time had come.
Root Urges ImmedIate Action.
Some preliminary preparations would
be necessary. the eminent jurist said.
pointing to some results of the Wash
ington arms conference, at which he
was an American delegate. as an
example. The work of the society.
said Mr.. Root. might well be toward
formulation of the process" of stat
ing international law. adding that no
When political bodies are ripe for
the final consummation, the speaker
said, they would need some "grist for
the MILL" and he hoped that the
preparation of some grist might be-
gin at quarter before eleven this
morning"
The chairman paid high tribute to
Lord Bryce. former British ambassa-
dor to the United States. declaring
that to the great ambassador largely
belonged the credit for bringing to
the British dominions "the share In
ti6ns they thought they were entitled
to-"
Root Lauds Arms Parley.
Results of the Washington arms
conference were analysed by Elihu
Root, in an address opening the an
nual meeting last night, as consti-
tuting not only a great stride in the
direction Of world peace, but also an
important beginning in the work of
authentic and indisputable code Of in
ternational law.
The former Secretary of State and
delegate to the conference declared
that in its decisions regarding China
and it's agreement for regulation of
SuDlnAIlne anu POISON gas WdT1dTG tHe
conference had made important ad-
vances toward development Of virile
law Of nations.
China. he said. had been brought a
step nearer to full participation In the
benefits Of sovereignty, while the
authority Of the great powers had
been pooled behind an explicit sub
marine law.
Bigger Conference Foreseen.
'The time has not yet come" con-
tinued Mr.. Root. ''when international
affairs are sufficiently settled to make
Immediately practicable general
conference to consider. clarity. ex-
tend and strengthen the law Of ma
ti6ns, but It is already high time for
those who believe in world con-
trolled by law to begin their prepara-
ton for such a, conference. and the
Washington conference on Limitation
Of armament, as a by-product of its
own special work, has contributed
materially toward that preparation"
The conference results also were
discussed at last nights session by
Rear Admiral H. S. Knapp, Z. S. n,
who dealt with the naval problems
involved, and Prof. w. w. Willough-
by. formerly legal adviser to the Chi
. nese government, and Frederick
Moore. foreign councillor to the Japa-
nese ministry of foreign affairs. who
analyzed the far eastern settlements