Evening star., 1939-10-15

~ AWUvC
While European wars and counter
wars reduce that continent to ruin,
President Roosevelt and Secretary of
State Cordell Hull preach and plead
for q world Of order under interna-
tional law" While the conflicts rage,
they proclaim to the world that the
United States as a neutral is resting its
conduct and asserting its rights squarely,
on the basis of that doctrine. !.
The Roosevelt-Hull policy constitutes
an indirect tribute to a genius -smitten'
little Hollander who 800 years ago laid
the foundations for a lasting system Of
international Jurisprudence. He was
Hugo Grotius, or Hugo de Groot (the
great, the father of international law"
Forty years ago on July 4, 1899, while
an international peace conference met
at The Hague, the United States Am
bassador to Germany, Andrew D. White,
stood before Grotius' tomb and paid
tribute to his genius. He laid upon the
front Of the tomb q silver wreath testi-
flying to the reverence and gratitude
from the United States Of America" for
Grotius' immortal work.
Today bitter controversy RACES over
whether the United States should re-
peal the arms embargo Of the Neutrality
Act and refuse to aid an aggressor ma
ton, even indirectly, or retain the en-
barge and jeopardize the interests of
the other combatants.
1T is the duty Of those who profess
neutrality in . war;" Grotius wrote,
ito do nothing toward increasing the
strength of q party maintaining an un-
lust cause, nor to impede the measures
of a power engaged in a just and right
eous cause. But in doubtful cases. they
(neutrals) ought to shew themselves
impartial to both sides. . ="
Held Treaties Sacred.
The treaty Of Versailles proved pro-
life source of trouble, despite the aban-
donment of reparations and other
changes made before Adolf Hitler as
cended to power in Germany. Grotius,
while admitting the frequent necessity
for modifying treaties, held that they
could not be disregarded utterly. His
thesis sounds much like the United
States firm contention that treaties
are not mere scraps of paper" and
cannot be torn up by unilateral action.
Good faith, either expressed or i'm
piled, must be the foundation Of every
treaty between hostile powers" Grotius
argued.
ITO practice revenge or use violence
in recovering things taken away Will
not be lawful, except where justice IS
denied.
1T is honorable and laudable to main
tain a peace, even after it has been vio-
lated by the other party" the pacifist
scholar held, for killing, under any pre-
text, "is by no means consonant to the
law of charity"
He devoted one immortal chapter
against intransigeant national attitudes,
and entitled it Precautions Against
Rashly Engaging in War, Even Upon
Just Grounds"
The right Of war. he said, does not
authorize q ruler instantly or at all
times to carry his principles into action
and to reduce his theory to practice"
$50 far from this" Grotius said. ut
frequently happens that it is an act OF
greater piety and rectitude to yield a
right than to enforce it. 1t Is
often q duty which we owe to our coun-
try and ourselves to forbear having re-
course to arms.
"As Aristides says, 1t is moral duty
in storm to save the ship by casting
overheard the goods, but not the crew"
OF Undeclared Wars.
OF undeclared wars-"to obtain the
peculiar rights and consequences re-
sulting from the law of nations. a dec
laration of war, by one Of the parties at
least, If not by both, is absolutely requi-
site in all cases." (The United States re-
fused to recognize Manchukuo, seized
from China, in the "Manchurian Incl
dent.")
Civilian populations, Grotius held, may
be dragged into war against their wishes
1t is incumbent upon the militarists to
confine their attacks to the opposing
military forces-in other words, no ci-
william bombings.
Though there may be circumstances
in which absolute justice will not con-
denim the sacrifice Of lives in war, yet
humanity will require that the greatest
precaution should be used against in
volving the innocent in danger, except In
cases Of extreme urgency and utility"
Grotius argued.
'The first object Of q conqueror should
be to avoid committing any act of in
justice"
He was born at Delft on April 10, 1888,
of distinguished Holland family. His
ancestors were only slightly less dis
tinguished than Grotius himself, the
outstanding scholar Of his time. The
child was q prodigy. At he was writ
ing Latin verses Of great merit: at 10
he was studying at university under
famous tutors; ut is he was arguing with
distinction deep questions Of law and
philosophy: at is he was lawyer known
throughout the Dutch states for his
great Learning: at u hs was presented
. King Hsuzy " q France. who called