Evening star., 1941-09-04
Peace Which Permits
World Court Again
To Function Is Urged
Leagues Former Chief
Of Legal Section
Addresses Session

Hugh McKinnon Wood, former
director of the legal section of the
League of Nations, expressed the
hope here today that the peace
settlement after the present wal
will be such as to enable the Per
manent Court of International JUS
tice commonly called the World
Court to resume its functions.
Addressing a session of the 1nSti-
tute on World Organization al
American University, Mr. Wood saio
the World Court has fulfilled the
expectation that such a tribunal
would prove strong judicial in
stitution and has served the de-
velopment of international law.
Experience does not point to the
desirability of altering the functions
of the Permanent Court" the speak
er declared. In discharging them
the court has no mean contribution
to make toward maintaining the
good understanding among nations
upon which peace depends.
Backs League of Nations.
Arthur Sweetser of the League OF
Nations staff, another speaker today
told the institute that the only hope
of the future was a return to "a
universal agency"
Events now, he said, should be
considered hopeful instead of pessi-
mistic for those who are interested
in the development of international
organizations.
Only through organized interna-
tional cooperation" Mr.. Sweetser
declared. can the world look fol-
ANY kind of permanent peace"
The new universal agency, Mr.
SweetSer said, must be greatly
strengthened over the League. II
must have greater power, response
bility, prestige" he added, land
above all, the support of govern
ments and the public. The govern
ments and the peoples must see that
the prevention of war is their first
and greatest interest and they must
be willing to make limited sacrifices
This means a definite willingness tc
accept limitation of sovereignty OF
each in the interest of all. Govern
ments and peoples must appreciate
that we all live In the same world
and are affected by the same issues
higher authority"
Certain internal improvements
were suggested by Mr.. SweetSer in
the League itself. He suggested re-
placement, perhaps, of the League
Council, which ''outlived its origin,
by an elected executive body of the
Assembly; reconsideration of the
absolute voting equality of states
which does not correspond with
either their degree of interest in
or contributions to the international
community; better representation OF
distant states by minimizing the
handicap of distance through pro-
viding travel expenses for delegates
and a stronger budget through loss
of voting rights for non-payment.
by far the most essential, how
ever" he said, lis an improved gen.
eral atmosphere"
Audience to Ask Questions.
This afternoons sessions of the
institute were to be highlighted by
a general round table discussion on
world affairs sduring which men,
bers OF the audience will be given
an opportunity to ask questions on
subjects of particular interest to
them. DR.. Fritz Kramer of the
Institute of Unification of Law in
Rome, one Of the permanent bodies
of the League of Nations, will pre-
side at the round table, which be-
gins at pm.
At this mornings sessions. DR.
Michael Heilperin of Hamilton Col
lege, former assistant professor at
the Graduate Institute of Interna-
tional Studies at Geneva. continued
his discussion of Economic and
Financial Questions"
DR.. Leon Stenig of the Permanent
Opium Center of the League es-
tablished in Washington yesterday
discussed the Leagues control of
drug traffic and their limitation of
the manufacture of drugs. He said
sellers of opium not only sell the
drug, but also create a demand for
1t among peoples.
DR.. Stenig said the League was
very successful in controlling the
of dangerous drugs
and suggested that the mechanism
developed by the League might be
adapted to the future limitation of
armaments and munitions manu-
facture.
Round-table discussions on narcotic
drugs and economic and financial
nuastio,as a1sp ure~a faaf,yras ~ yae