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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/26023-8.txt b/26023-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..e217059 --- /dev/null +++ b/26023-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,3241 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The League of Nations and its Problems, by +Lassa Oppenheim + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The League of Nations and its Problems + Three Lectures + +Author: Lassa Oppenheim + +Release Date: July 10, 2008 [EBook #26023] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LEAGUE OF NATIONS, ITS PROBLEMS *** + + + + +Produced by Stephen Blundell and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was +produced from images generously made available by The +Internet Archive/Canadian Libraries) + + + + + + + + + + CONTRIBUTIONS TO INTERNATIONAL LAW + AND DIPLOMACY + + Edited by L. OPPENHEIM, M.A., LL.D. + + Membre de l'Institut de Droit International, + Whewell Professor of International Law in the University of Cambridge, + Honorary Member of the Royal Academy of Jurisprudence at Madrid, + Corresponding Member of the American Institute of International Law. + + + THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS + AND ITS PROBLEMS + + + + + CONTRIBUTIONS TO INTERNATIONAL + LAW AND DIPLOMACY. + +Edited by L. OPPENHEIM, M.A., LL.D., Whewell Professor of International +Law in the University of Cambridge. + +A GUIDE TO DIPLOMATIC PRACTICE. By the Right Hon. Sir ERNEST SATOW, +G.C.M.G., LL.D., D.C.L., formerly Envoy Extraordinary and Minister +Plenipotentiary. 2 Volumes. 8vo. 30_s._ net. + +INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS AND THIRD STATES. A Monograph. By RONALD F. +ROXBURGH, of the Middle Temple, Barrister-at-Law; formerly Whewell +International Law Scholar in the University of Cambridge; formerly +Scholar of Trinity College, Cambridge. 8vo. 7_s._ 6_d._ net. + + LONGMANS, GREEN AND CO., + London, New York, Bombay, Calcutta, and Madras. + + + + + THE + LEAGUE OF NATIONS + AND ITS PROBLEMS + + + THREE LECTURES + + + BY + + L. OPPENHEIM, M.A., LL.D. + + WHEWELL PROFESSOR OF INTERNATIONAL LAW IN THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE + MEMBRE DE L'INSTITUT DE DROIT INTERNATIONAL. HONORARY MEMBER OF + THE ROYAL ACADEMY OF JURISPRUDENCE AT MADRID, CORRESPONDING + MEMBER OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF + INTERNATIONAL LAW + + + _Festina lente_ + + + LONGMANS, GREEN AND CO. + 39 PATERNOSTER ROW, LONDON + FOURTH AVENUE & 30TH STREET, NEW YORK, + BOMBAY, CALCUTTA, AND MADRAS. + 1919 + + + + +PREFACE + + +The three lectures collected in this volume were prepared without any +intention of publication. They were delivered for the purpose of drawing +attention to the links which connect the proposal for a League of +Nations with the past, to the difficulties which stand in the way of the +realisation of the proposal, and to some schemes by which these +difficulties might be overcome. When it was suggested that the lectures +should be brought before the public at large by being issued in book +form I hesitated, because I was doubtful whether the academic method +natural to a University lecture would be suitable to a wider public. +After consideration, however, I came to the conclusion that their +publication might be useful, because the lectures attempt to show how +the development initiated by the two Hague Peace Conferences could be +continued by turning the movement for a League of Nations into the road +of progress that these Conferences opened. + +Professional International lawyers do not share the belief that the +outbreak of the World War and its, in many ways, lawless and atrocious +conduct have proved the futility of the work of the Hague Conferences. +Throughout these anxious years we have upheld the opinion that the +progress initiated at the Hague has by no means been swept away by the +attitude of lawlessness deliberately--'because necessity knows no +law'--taken up by Germany, provided only that she should be utterly +defeated, and should be compelled to atone and make ample reparation for +the many cruel wrongs which cry to Heaven. While I am writing these +lines, there is happily no longer any doubt that this condition will be +fulfilled. We therefore believe that, after the map of Europe has been +redrawn by the coming Peace Congress, the third Conference ought to +assemble at the Hague for the purpose of establishing the demanded +League of Nations and supplying it with the rudiments of an +organisation. + +How this could be accomplished in a very simple way the following three +lectures attempt to show. They likewise offer some very slight outlines +of a scheme for setting up International Councils of Conciliation as +well as an International Court of Justice comprising a number of +Benches. I would ask the reader kindly to take these very lightly +outlined schemes for what they are worth. Whatever may be their defects +they indicate a way out of some of the great difficulties which beset +the realisation of the universal demand for International Councils of +Conciliation and an International Court of Justice. + +It is well known that several of the allied Governments have appointed +Committees to study the problem of a League of Nations and to prepare a +scheme which could be put before the coming Peace Congress. But unless +all, or at any rate all the more important, neutral States are +represented, it will be impossible for an all-embracing League of +Nations to be created by that Congress; although a scheme could well be +adopted which would keep the door open for all civilised States. +However, until all these States have actually been received within the +charmed circle, the League will not be complete nor its aims fully +realised. Whatever the coming Peace Congress may be able to achieve with +regard to a scheme for the establishment of the League of Nations, +another--the third--Hague Peace Conference will be needed to set it +going. + + L. OPPENHEIM. + + P.S.--While this Preface and volume were going through the Press, + Austria-Hungary and Germany surrendered, and unprecedented + revolutions broke out which swept the Hapsburg, the Hohenzollern, + and all the other German dynasties away. No one can foresee what + will be the ultimate fate and condition of those two once mighty + empires. It is obvious that, had the first and second lectures been + delivered after these stirring events took place, some of the views + to be found therein expressed would have been modified or + differently expressed. I may ask the reader kindly to keep this in + mind while reading the following pages. However, the general bearing + of the arguments, and the proposals for the organisation of the + League of Nations and the establishment of an International Court of + Justice and International Councils of Conciliation, are in no way + influenced by these later events. + + + + +CONTENTS + + + PAGE + + FIRST LECTURE: THE AIMS OF THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS 1 + + I. The purpose of the three Lectures is to draw attention to + the links which connect the proposed League of Nations with + the past, to the difficulties involved in the proposal, and to + the way in which they can be overcome 4 + + II. The conception of a League of Nations is not new, but is + as old as International Law, because any kind of International + Law and some kind of a League of Nations are interdependent and + correlative 6 + + III. During antiquity no International Law in the modern + sense of the term was possible, because the common interests + which could force a number of independent States into a + Community of States were lacking 6 + + IV. But during the second part of the Middle Ages matters + began to change. During the fifteenth, sixteenth and + seventeenth centuries an International Law, and with it a kind + of League of Nations, became a necessity and therefore grew by + custom. At the same time arose the first schemes for a League + of Nations guaranteeing permanent peace, namely those of Pierre + Dubois (1305), Antoine Marini (1461), Sully (1603), and Emeric + Crucée (1623). Hugo Grotius' immortal work on 'The Law of War + and Peace' (1625) 7 + + V. The League of Nations thus evolved by custom could not + undertake to prevent war; the conditions prevailing up to the + outbreak of the French Revolution made it impossible; it was + only during the nineteenth century that the principle of + nationality made growth 9 + + VI. The outbreak of the present World War is epoch-making + because it is at bottom a fight between the principle of + democratic and constitutional government and the principle of + militarism and autocratic government. The three new points in + the present demand for a League of Nations 11 + + VII. How and why the peremptory demand for a new League of + Nations arose, and its connection with so-called + Internationalism 11 + + VIII. The League of Nations now aimed at is not really a + League of Nations but of States. The ideal of the national + State 13 + + IX. The two reasons why the establishment of a new League of + Nations is conditioned by the utter defeat of the Central + Powers 15 + + X. Why--in a sense--the new League of Nations may be said to + have already started its career 16 + + XI. The impossibility of the demand that the new League of + Nations should create a Federal World State 18 + + XII. The demand for an International Army and Navy 20 + + XIII. The new League of Nations cannot give itself a + constitution of a state-like character, but only one _sui + generis_ on very simple lines 22 + + XIV. The three aims of the new League of Nations, and the + four problems to be faced and solved in order to make possible + the realisation of these aims 23 + + + SECOND LECTURE: ORGANISATION AND LEGISLATION + OF THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS 25 + + I. The Community of civilised States, the at present + existing League of Nations, is a community without any + organisation, although there are plenty of legal rules for the + intercourse of the several States one with another 28 + + II. The position of the Great Powers within the Community of + States is a mere political fact not based on Law 29 + + III. The pacifistic demand or a Federal World State in order + to make the abolition of war a possibility 31 + + IV. Every attempt at organising the desired new League of + Nations must start from, and keep intact, the independence and + equality of the several States, with the consequence that the + establishment of a central political authority above the + sovereign States is an impossibility 32 + + V. The development of an organisation of the Community of + States began before the outbreak of the World War and is to be + found in the establishment of the Permanent Court of + Arbitration at the Hague by the First Hague Peace Conference of + 1899. But more steps will be necessary to turn the hitherto + unorganised Community of States into an organised League of + Nations 34 + + VI. The organisation of the desired new League of Nations + should start from the beginning made by the Hague Peace + Conferences, and the League should therefore include all the + independent civilised States 35 + + VII. The objection to the reception of the Central Powers, + and of Germany especially, into the League 36 + + VIII. The objection to the reception of the minor + transoceanic States into the League 38 + + IX. The seven principles which ought to be accepted with + regard to the organisation of the new League of Nations 39 + + X. The organisation of the League of Nations is not an end in + itself but only a means of attaining three objects, the first + of which is International Legislation. The meaning of the term + 'International Legislation' in contradistinction to Municipal + Legislation. International Legislation in the past and in the + future 41 + + XI. The difficulty in the way of International Legislation on + account of the language question 43 + + XII. The difficulty created by the conflicting national + interests of the several States 44 + + XIII. The difficulty caused by the fact that International + Statutes cannot be created by a majority vote of the States. + The difference between universal and general International Law + offers a way out 44 + + XIV. The difficulty created by the fact that there are as yet + no universally recognised rules concerning interpretation and + construction of International Statutes and ordinary + Conventions. The notorious Article 23(h) of the Hague + Regulations concerning Land Warfare 45 + + _Appendix_: Correspondence with the Foreign Office respecting + the Interpretation of Article 23(h) of the Hague Regulations + concerning Land Warfare 48 + + + THIRD LECTURE: ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE AND + MEDIATION WITHIN THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS 57 + + I. Administration of Justice within the League is a question + of International Courts, but it is incorrect to assert that + International Legislation necessitates the existence of + International Courts 60 + + II. The Permanent Court of Arbitration created by the First + Hague Peace Conference 61 + + III. The difficulties connected with International + Administration of Justice by International Courts 62 + + IV. The necessity for a Court of Appeal above the + International Court of First Instance 63 + + V. The difficulties connected with the setting up and manning + of International Courts of Justice 64 + + VI. Details of a scheme which recommends itself because it + distinguishes between the Court as a whole and the several + Benches which would be called upon to decide the cases 65 + + VII. The advantages of the recommended scheme 67 + + VIII. A necessary provision for so-called complex cases of + dispute 68 + + IX. A necessary provision with regard to the notorious clause + _rebus sic stantibus_ 69 + + X. The two starting points for a satisfactory proposal + concerning International Mediation by International Councils of + Conciliation. Article 8 of the Hague Convention concerning + Pacific Settlement of International Disputes. The Permanent + International Commissions of the Bryan Peace Treaties 70 + + XI. Details of a scheme which recommends itself for the + establishment of International Councils of Conciliation 72 + + XII. The question of disarmament 74 + + XIII. The assertion that States renounce their sovereignty by + entering into the League 75 + + XIV. Conclusion: Can it be expected that, in case of a great + conflict of interests, all the members of the League will + faithfully carry out their engagements? 78 + + + ALPHABETICAL INDEX 81 + + + + +FIRST LECTURE + +THE AIMS OF THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS + + +SYNOPSIS + + I. The purpose of the three Lectures is to draw attention to the + links which connect the proposed League of Nations with the past, to + the difficulties involved in the proposal, and to the way in which + they can be overcome. + + II. The conception of a League of Nations is not new, but is as old + as International Law, because any kind of International Law and some + kind of a League of Nations are interdependent and correlative. + + III. During antiquity no International Law in the modern sense of + the term was possible, because the common interests which could + force a number of independent States into a community of States were + lacking. + + IV. But during the second part of the Middle Ages matters began to + change. During the fifteenth, sixteenth, and seventeenth centuries + an International Law, and with it a kind of League of Nations, + became a necessity and therefore grew by custom. At the same time + arose the first schemes for a League of Nations guaranteeing + permanent peace, namely those of Pierre Dubois (1305), Antoine + Marini (1461), Sully (1603), and Emeric Crucée (1623). Hugo Grotius' + immortal work on 'The Law of War and Peace' (1625). + + V. The League of Nations thus evolved by custom could not undertake + to prevent wars; the conditions prevailing up to the outbreak of the + French Revolution made it impossible; it was only during the + nineteenth century that the principle of nationality made growth. + + VI. The outbreak of the present World War is epoch-making because it + is at bottom a fight between the principle of democratic and + constitutional government and the principle of militarism and + autocratic government. The three new points in the present demand + for a League of Nations. + + VII. How and why the peremptory demand for a new League of Nations + arose, and its connection with so-called Internationalism. + + VIII. The League of Nations now aimed at is not really a League of + Nations but of States. The ideal of the National State. + + IX. The two reasons why the establishment of a new League of Nations + is conditioned by the utter defeat of the Central Powers. + + X. Why--in a sense--the new League of Nations may be said to have + already started its career. + + XI. The impossibility of the demand that the new League of Nations + should create a Federal World State. + + XII. The demand for an International Army and Navy. + + XIII. The new League of Nations cannot give itself a constitution of + a state-like character, but only one _sui generis_ on very simple + lines. + + XIV. The three aims of the new League of Nations, and the four + problems to be faced and solved in order to make possible the + realisation of these aims. + + +THE LECTURE + +I. Dr. Whewell, the founder of the Chair of International Law which I +have the honour to occupy in this University, laid the injunction upon +every holder of the Chair that he should 'make it his aim,' in all parts +of his treatment of the subject, 'to lay down such rules and suggest +such measures as may tend to diminish the evils of war and finally to +extinguish war between nations.' It is to comply with the spirit, if not +with the letter, of this injunction that I have announced the series of +three lectures on a League of Nations. The present is the first, and in +it I propose to treat of the Aims of the League. But, before I enter +into a discussion of these aims, I should like to point out that I have +no intention of dealing with the question whether or no a League of +Nations should be founded at all. To my mind, and probably to the minds +of most of you here, this question has been satisfactorily answered by +the leading politicians of all parties and all countries since +ex-President Taft put it soon after the outbreak of the World War; it +suffices to mention Earl Grey in Great Britain and President Wilson in +America. In giving these lectures I propose to draw your attention, on +the one hand, to the links which connect the proposal for a League of +Nations with the past, and, on the other hand, to the difficulties with +which the realisation of the proposal must necessarily be attended; and +also to the ways in which, in my opinion, these difficulties can be +overcome. + +There is an old adage which says _Natura non facit saltus_, Nature takes +no leaps. Everything in Nature develops gradually, step by step, and +organically. It is, at any rate as a rule, the same with History. +History in most cases takes no leaps, but if exceptionally History does +take a leap, there is great danger of a bad slip backwards following. We +must be on our guard lest the proposed League of Nations should take a +leap in the dark, and the realisation of proposals be attempted which +are so daring and so entirely out of keeping with the historical +development of International Law and the growth of the Society of +Nations, that there would be great danger of the whole scheme collapsing +and the whole movement coming to naught. + +The movement for a League of Nations is sound, for its purpose is to +secure a more lasting peace amongst the nations of the world than has +hitherto prevailed. But a number of schemes to realise this purpose +have been published which in my opinion go much too far because they +comprise proposals which are not realisable in our days. You know that +not only an International Court of Justice and an International Council +of Conciliation have been proposed, but also some kind of International +Government, some kind of International Parliament, an International +Executive, and even an International Army and Navy--a so-called +International Police--by the help of which the International Government +could guarantee the condition of permanent peace in the world. + +II. You believe no doubt, because nearly everyone believes it, that the +conception of a League of Nations is something quite new. Yet this is +not the case, although there is something new in the present conception, +something which did not exist previously. The conception of a League of +Nations is very old, is indeed as old as modern International Law, +namely about four hundred years. International Law could not have come +into existence without at the same time calling into existence a League +of Nations. _Any kind of an International Law and some kind or other of +a League of Nations are interdependent and correlative._ This assertion +possibly surprises you, and I must therefore say a few words concerning +the origin of modern International Law in order to make matters clear. + +III. In ancient times no International Law in the modern sense of the +term existed. It is true there existed rules of religion and of law +concerning international relations, and ambassadors and heralds were +everywhere considered sacrosanct. But these rules were not rules of an +_International_ Law, they were either religious rules or rules which +were part of the Municipal Law of the several States. For instance: the +Romans had very detailed rules concerning their relations with other +States in time of peace and war; but these were rules of Roman law, not +rules of the law of other countries, and certainly not _international_ +rules. + +Now what was the reason that antiquity did not know of any International +Law? + +The reason was that between the several independent States of antiquity +no such intimate intercourse arose and no such common views existed as +to necessitate a law between them. Only between the several city States +of ancient Greece arose some kind of what we should now call +'International Law,' because these city States formed a Community +fostered by the same language, the same civilisation, the same religion, +the same general ideas, and by constant commercial and other +intercourse. On the other hand, the Roman Empire was a world empire, it +gradually absorbed all the independent nations in the West. And when the +Roman Empire fell to pieces in consequence of the migration of the +peoples, the old civilisation came to an end, international commerce and +intercourse ceased almost entirely, and it was not till towards the end +of the Middle Ages that matters began to change. + +IV. During the second part of the Middle Ages more and more independent +States arose on the European continent, and during the fifteenth and +sixteenth centuries the necessity for a Law of Nations made itself felt. +A multitude of Sovereign States had now established themselves which, +although they were absolutely independent of one another, were knitted +together by constant commercial and other intercourse, by a common +religion, and by the same moral principles. Gradually and almost +unconsciously the conviction had grown upon these independent States +that, in spite of everything which separated them, they formed a +Community the intercourse of which was ruled by certain legal +principles. International Law grew out of custom because it was a +necessity according to the well-known rule _ubi societas ibi jus_, where +there is a community of interests there must be law. The several +independent States had thus gradually and unconsciously formed +themselves into a Society, the afterwards so-called Family of Nations, +or, in other words, a League of Nations. + +And no sooner had this League of Nations come into existence--and even +some time before that date--than a number of schemes for the +establishment of eternal peace made their appearance. + +The first of these schemes was that of the French lawyer _Pierre +Dubois_, who, as early as 1305, in his work 'De recuperatione terre +sancte,' proposed an alliance between all Christian Powers for the +purpose of the maintenance of peace and the establishment of a permanent +Court of Arbitration for the settlement of differences between members +of the alliance. + +Another was that of _Antoine Marini_, the Chancellor of Podiebrad, King +of Bohemia, who adopted the scheme in 1461. This scheme proposed the +foundation of a Federal State to comprise all the existing Christian +States and the establishment of a permanent Congress to be seated at +Basle in Switzerland, this Congress to be the highest organ of the +Federation. + +A third scheme was that of _Sully_, adopted by Henri IV of France, +which, in 1603, proposed the division of Europe into fifteen States and +the linking together of these into a Federation with a General Council +as its highest organ. + +And a fourth scheme was that of _Emeric Crucée_, who, in 1623, proposed +the establishment of a Union consisting not only of the Christian States +but of all States of the world, with a General Council seated at Venice. + +And since that time many other schemes of similar kind have made their +appearance, the enumeration and discussion of which is outside our +present purpose. So much is certain that all these schemes were Utopian. +Nevertheless, a League of Nations having once come into existence, +International Law grew more and more, and when in 1625 Hugo Grotius +published his immortal work on 'The Law of War and Peace,' the system of +International Law offered in his work conquered the world and became the +basis of all following development. + +V. However, although a League of Nations must be said to have been in +existence for about 400 years, because no International Law would have +been possible without it, this League of Nations could not, and was not +intended to, prevent war between its members. I say: it could not +prevent war. Why not? It could not prevent war on account of the +conditions which prevailed within the international society from the +Middle Ages till, say, the outbreak of the present war. These conditions +are intimately connected with the growth of the several States of +Europe. + +Whereas the family, the tribe, and the race are natural products, the +nation as well as the State are products of historical development. All +nations are blends of more or less different races, and all States were +originally founded on force: strong rulers subjected neighbouring tribes +and peoples to their sway and thus formed coherent nations. Most of the +States in Europe are the product of the activity of strong dynasties +which through war and conquest, and through marriage and purchase, +united under one sovereign the lands which form the States and the +peoples which form the nations. Up to the time of the French Revolution, +throughout the sixteenth, seventeenth, and eighteenth centuries, all +wars were either wars of religion, or dynastic wars fought for the +increase of the territory under the sway of the dynasties concerned, or +so-called colonial wars fought for the acquisition of transoceanic +colonies. It was not till the nineteenth century that wars for the +purpose of national unity broke out, and dynastic wars began gradually +to disappear. During the nineteenth century the nations, so to say, +found themselves; some kind of constitutional government was everywhere +introduced; and democracy became the ideal, although it was by no means +everywhere realised. + +VI. It is for this reason that the outbreak of the present war is +epoch-making, because it has become apparent that, whatever may be the +war aims of the belligerents, at bottom this World War is a fight +between the ideal of democracy and constitutional government on the one +hand, and autocratic government and militarism on the other. Everywhere +the conviction has become prevalent that things cannot remain as they +were before the outbreak of the present war, and therefore the demand +for a League of Nations, or--I had better say--for a new League of +Nations to take the place of that which has been in existence for about +400 years, has arisen. + +Now what is new in the desired new League of Nations? + +Firstly, this new League would be founded upon a solemn treaty, whereas +the League of Nations hitherto was only based upon custom. + +Secondly, for the purpose of making war rarer or of abolishing it +altogether, this new League of Nations would enact the rule that no +State is allowed to resort to arms without previously having submitted +the dispute to an International Court or a Council of Conciliation. + +Thirdly, this new League of Nations would be compelled to create some +kind of organisation for itself, because otherwise it could not realise +its purpose to make war rarer or abolish it altogether. + +VII. The demand for a new League of Nations is universal, for it is +made, not only everywhere in the allied countries, but in the countries +of the Central Powers, and it will surely be realised when the war is +over, at any rate to a certain extent. It is for this reason that the +present World War has not only not destroyed so-called Internationalism, +but has done more for it than many years of peace could have done. + +What is Internationalism? + +Internationalism is the conviction that all the civilised States form +one Community throughout the world in spite of the various factors which +separate the nations from one another; the conviction that the interests +of all the nations and States are indissolubly interknitted, and that, +therefore, the Family of Nations must establish international +institutions for the purpose of guaranteeing a more general and a more +lasting peace than existed in former times. Internationalism had made +great strides during the second part of the nineteenth century on +account of the enormous development of international commerce and +international communication favoured by railways, the steamship, the +telegraph, and a great many scientific discoveries and technical +inventions. But what a disturbing and destroying factor war really is, +had not become fully apparent till the present war, because this is a +_world_ war which interferes almost as much with the welfare of neutrals +as with the welfare of belligerents. It has become apparent during the +present war that the discoveries and developments of science and +technology, which had done so much during the second half of the +nineteenth century for the material welfare of the human race during +peace, were likewise at the disposal of belligerents for an enormous, +and hitherto unthought-of, destruction of life and wealth. It is for +this reason that in the camp of friend and foe, among neutrals as well +as among belligerents, the conviction has become universal that the +conditions of international life prevailing before the outbreak of the +World War must be altered; that international institutions must be +established which will make the outbreak of war, if not impossible, at +any rate only an exceptional possibility. The demand for a new League of +Nations has thus arisen and peremptorily requires fulfilment. + +VIII. However, in considering the demand for a new League of Nations, it +is necessary to avoid confusing nations with States. It should always be +remembered that, when we speak of a League of Nations, we do not really +mean a League of Nations but a League of States. It is true that there +are many States in existence which in the main are made up of one +nation, although fractions of other nations may be comprised in them. +But it is equally true that there are some States in existence which +include members of several nations. Take as an example Switzerland +which, although only a very small State, nevertheless comprises three +national elements, namely German, French, and Italian. Another example +is the British Empire, which is a world empire and comprises a number of +different nations. + +That leads me to the question: What is a nation? + +A nation must not be confounded with a race. A nation is a product of +historical development, whereas a race is a product of natural growth. +One speaks of a nation when a complex body of human beings is united by +living in the same land, by the same language, the same literature, the +same historical traditions, and the same general views of life. All +nations are a mixture of several diverse racial elements which in the +course of historical development have to a certain extent been united by +force of circumstances. The Swiss as a people are politically a nation, +although the component parts of the population of Switzerland are of +different national characters and even speak different languages. +Historical development in general, and in many cases force in +particular, have played a great part in the blending of diverse racial +elements into nations; just as they have played a great part in the +building up of States. The demand that every nation should have a +separate State of its own--the ideal of the so-called national +State--appears very late in history; it is a product of the last two +centuries, and it was not till the second half of the nineteenth century +that the so-called principle of nationality made its appearance and +gained great influence. It may well be doubted whether each nation, be +it ever so small, will succeed in establishing a separate State of its +own, although where national consciousness becomes overwhelmingly +strong, it will probably in every case succeed in time either in +establishing a State of its own, or at any rate in gaining autonomy. Be +that as it may, it is a question for the future; so much is certain, +what is intended now to be realised, is not a League of Nations, but a +League of States, although it is called a League of Nations. + +IX. However, no League of Nations is possible unless the Central Powers, +and Germany in especial, are utterly defeated during the World War, and +that for two reasons. + +One reason is that a great alteration of the map of Europe is an +absolutely necessary condition for the satisfactory working of a League +of Nations. Unless an independent Poland be established; unless the +problem of Alsace-Lorraine be solved; unless the Trentino be handed over +to Italy; unless the Yugo-Slavs be united with Servia; unless the +Czecho-Slovaks be freed from the Austrian yoke; and unless the problem +of Turkey and the Turkish Straits be solved, no lasting peace can be +expected in Europe, even if a League of Nations be established. + +The other reason is that, unless Germany be utterly defeated, the spirit +of militarism, which is not compatible with a League of Nations, will +remain a menace to the world. + +What is militarism? It is that conception of the State which bases the +power of the State, its influence, its progress, and its development +exclusively on military force. The consequence is that war becomes part +of the settled policy of a militarist State; the acquisition of further +territory and population by conquest is continually before the eyes of +such a Government; and the condition of peace is only a shorter or +longer interval between periods of war. A military State submits to +International Law only so long as it serves its interests, but violates +International Law, and particularly International Law concerning war, +wherever and whenever this law stands in the way of its military aims. +The whole history of Prussia exemplifies this. Now in a League of +Nations peace must be the normal condition. If war occurs at all within +such a League, it can only be an exceptional phase and must be only for +the purpose of re-establishing peace. It is true a League of Nations +will not be able entirely to dispense with military force, yet such +force appears only in the background as an _ultima ratio_ to be applied +against such Power as refuses to submit its disagreements with other +members of the League either to an International Court of Justice or an +International Council of Conciliation. + +X. Be that as it may, in a sense the League of Nations has already +started its career, because twenty-five States are united on the one +side and are fighting this war in vindication of International Law. +These States are--I enumerate them chronologically as they entered into +the war:--Russia (the Bolsheviks have made peace, but in fact one may +still enumerate Russia as a belligerent), France, Belgium, Great +Britain, Servia, Montenegro, Japan, San Marino, Portugal, Italy, +Roumania, the United States, Cuba, Panama, Greece, Siam, Liberia, China, +Brazil, Ecuador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Haiti, Honduras. +Besides these twenty-five States which are at war with the Central +Powers, the following four States, without having declared war, have +broken off diplomatic relations with Germany, namely: Bolivia, San +Domingo, Peru, Uruguay. + +Now there may be said to be about fifty civilised States in existence. +Of these, as I have just pointed out, twenty-five are fighting against +the Central Powers, four have broken off relations with Germany, the +Central Powers themselves are four in number, with the consequence that +thirty-three of the fifty States are implicated in the war. Only the +seventeen remaining States are neutral, namely: Sweden, Norway, Denmark, +Holland, Luxemburg, Switzerland, Spain, Lichtenstein, and Monaco in +Europe; Mexico, Salvador, Colombia, Venezuela, Chile, Argentina, and +Paraguay in America; and Persia in Asia. + +It may be taken for granted that all the neutral States, and all the +States fighting on the side of the Allies, and also the four States +which, although they are not fighting on the side of the Allies, have +broken off relations with Germany, are prepared to enter into a League +of Nations. + +But what about the Central Powers, and Germany in especial? I shall +discuss in my next lecture the question whether the Central Powers are +to become members of the League. To-day it must suffice to say that, +when once utterly defeated, they will be only too glad to be received as +members. On the other hand, if they were excluded, the world would again +be divided into two rival camps, just as before the war the Triple +Alliance was faced by the Entente. No disarmament would be possible, and +with regard to every other matter progress would be equally impossible. +Therefore the Central Powers must become members of a League of Nations +for such a League to be of any great use, which postulates as a _sine +qua non_ that Germany must be utterly defeated in the present war. If +she were victorious, or if peace were concluded with an undefeated +Germany, the world would not be ripe for a League of Nations because +militarism would not have been exterminated. + +XI. I have hitherto discussed the League of Nations only in a general +way, without mentioning that there is no unanimity concerning its aims +or concerning the details of its organisation. Many people think that it +would be possible to do away with war for ever, and they therefore +demand a World State, a Federal State comprising all the single States +of the world on the pattern of the United States of America. And for +this reason the demand is raised not only for an International Court and +for an International Council of Conciliation, but also for an +International Government, an International Parliament, and an +International Army and Navy,--a so-called International Police. + +I believe that these demands go much too far and are impossible of +realisation. A Federal State comprising all the single States of the +whole civilised world is a Utopia, and an International Army and Navy +would be a danger to the peace of the world. + +Why is a World State not possible, at any rate not in our time? + +No one has ever thought that a World State in the form of one single +State with one single Government would be possible. Those who plead for +a World State plead for it in the form of a Federal State comprising all +the single States of the world on the pattern of the United States of +America. But even this modified ideal is not, in my opinion, realisable +at present. Why not? To realise this ideal there would be required a +Federal Government, and a Federal Parliament; and the Federal Government +would have to possess strong powers to enforce its demands. A powerless +Federal Government would be worse than no government at all. But how is +it possible to establish at present a powerful Federal Government over +the whole world? How is it possible to establish a Federal World +Parliament? + +Constitutional Government within the several States has to grapple with +many difficulties, and these difficulties would be more numerous, +greater, and much more complicated within a Federal World State. We need +democracy and constitutional Government in every single State, and this +can only be realised by party Government and elections of Parliament at +short intervals. The waves of party strife rise high within the several +States; no sooner is one party in, than the other party looks out for an +opening into which a wedge can be pushed to turn the Government out. In +normal times this works on the whole quite well within the borders of +the several States, because the interests concerned are not so widely +opposed to one another that the several parties cannot alternatively +govern. But when it comes to applying the same system of Government to a +Federal World State, the interests at stake are too divergent. The East +and the West, the South and the North, the interests of maritime States +and land-locked States, the ideals and interests of industrial and +agricultural States, and many other contrasts, are too great for it to +be possible to govern a Federal World State by the same institutions as +a State of ordinary size and composition. + +The British World Empire may be taken as an example to show that it is +impossible for one single central Government to govern a number of +States with somewhat divergent interests. We all know that the British +Empire comprising the United Kingdom and the so-called independent +dominions, namely Canada, Newfoundland, Australia, New Zealand, and +South Africa, is kept together not really by the powers of the British +Government but by the good will of the component parts. The Government +of the United Kingdom could not keep the Empire together by force, could +not compel by force one of the independent dominions to submit to a +demand, in case it refused to comply. The interests of the several +component parts of the British Empire are so divergent that no central +Government could keep them together against their will. Now what applies +to the British Empire, which is to a great extent bound together by the +same language, the same literature, and the same Law, would apply much +more to a Federal State comprising the whole of the world: such a +Federal State, so far as we can see, is impossible. + +XII. But what about an International Army and Navy? + +It is hardly worth while to say much about them. Those who propose the +establishment of an International Army and Navy presuppose that the +national armies and navies would be abolished so that the world +Government would have the power, with the help of the International Army +and Navy, at any moment to crush any attempt of a recalcitrant member of +the Federal World State to avoid its duties. This International Army and +Navy would be the most powerful instrument of force which the world has +ever seen, because every attempt to resist it would be futile. And the +Commander of the International Army and the Commander of the +International Navy would be men holding in their hands the greatest +power that can be imagined. + +The old question therefore arises: _Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?_ +which I should like here to translate freely by: Who will keep in order +those who are to keep the world in order? A League of Nations which can +only be kept together by a powerful International Army and Navy, is a +contradiction in itself; for the independence and equality of the member +States of the League would soon disappear. It is a fact--I make this +statement although I am sure it will be violently contradicted--that, +just as hitherto, so within a League of Nations some kind of Balance of +Power only can guarantee the independence and equality of the smaller +States. For the Community of Power, on which the League of Nations must +rest, would at once disappear if one or two members of the League became +so powerful that they could disregard the combined power of the other +members. Every scheme of this movement must therefore see to it that no +member of the League is more armed than is necessary considering the +extent of its territory and other factors concerned. But be that as it +may, an International Army and Navy is practically impossible, just as a +Federal World State is impossible. + +XIII. Yet while a Federal World State is impossible, a League of Nations +is not, provided such league gives itself a constitution, not of a +state-like character, but one _sui generis_. What can be done is this: +the hitherto unorganised Family of Nations can organise itself on simple +lines so as to secure, on the one hand, the absolute independence of +every State, and, on the other hand, the peaceful co-existence of all +the States. + +It is possible, in my opinion, to establish an International Court of +Justice before which the several States engage to appear in case a +conflict arises between two or more of them which can be judicially +settled, that is, can be settled by a rule of law. There is as little +reason why two or more States should go to war on account of a conflict +which can be settled upon the basis of law, as there is for two private +individuals to resort to arms in case of a dispute between them which +can be decided by a Court of Law. + +Again, although there will frequently arise between States conflicts of +a political character which cannot be settled on the basis of a rule of +law, there is no reason why, when the States in conflict cannot settle +them by diplomatic negotiation, they should resort to arms, before +bringing the conflict before some Council of Conciliation and giving the +latter an opportunity of investigating the matter and proposing a fair +compromise. + +Under modern conditions of civilisation the whole world suffers in case +war breaks out between even only two States, and for this reason it is +advisable that the rest of the world should unite and oppose such State +as would resort to arms without having submitted its case to an +International Court of Justice or an International Council of +Conciliation. + +XIV. In my opinion the aims of a League of Nations should therefore be +three: + +The first aim should be to prevent the outbreak of war altogether on +account of so-called judicial disputes, that is disputes which can be +settled on the basis of a rule of law. For this reason the League should +stipulate that every State must submit all judicial disputes without +exception to an International Court of Justice and must abide by the +judgment of such Court. + +The second aim should be to prevent the sudden outbreak of war on +account of a political dispute and to insist on an opportunity for +mediation. For this reason the League should stipulate that every State, +previous to resorting to arms over a political dispute, must submit it +to an International Council of Conciliation and must at any rate listen +to the advice of such Council. + +The third aim should be to provide a sanction for the enforcement of the +two rules just mentioned. For this reason the League should stipulate +that all the member States of the League must unite their economic, +military, and naval forces against such member or members as would +resort to arms either on account of a judicial dispute which ought to +have been settled by an International Court of Justice, or on account of +a political dispute without previously having submitted it to an +International Council of Conciliation and listened to the latter's +advice. + +These should be, in my opinion, the three aims of a League of Nations +and the three rules necessary for the realisation of these aims. +However, it is not so easy to realise them, and it is therefore +necessary to face and solve four problems: There is, firstly, the +problem of the Organisation of the League; secondly, the problem of +Legislation within the League; thirdly, the problem of Administration of +Justice within the League; and fourthly, the problem of Mediation within +the League--four problems which I shall discuss in the two following +lectures. + +I have only named three aims and four problems because I have in my mind +those aims which are the nearest and those problems which are the most +pressing and the most urgent. The range of vision of the League of +Nations, when once established, will no doubt gradually become wider and +wider; new aims will arise and new problems will demand solution, but +all such possible future aims and future problems are outside the scope +of these lectures. + + + + +SECOND LECTURE + +ORGANISATION AND LEGISLATION OF THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS + + +SYNOPSIS + + I. The Community of civilised States, the at present existing League + of Nations, is a community without any organisation, although there + are plenty of legal rules for the intercourse of the several States + one with another. + + II. The position of the Great Powers within the Community of States + is a mere political fact not based on Law. + + III. The pacifistic demand for a Federal World State in order to + make the abolition of war a possibility. + + IV. Every attempt at organising the desired new League of Nations + must start from, and keep intact, the independence and equality of + the several States, with the consequence that the establishment of a + central political authority above the sovereign States is an + impossibility. + + V. The development of an organisation of the Community of States + began before the outbreak of the World War and is to be found in the + establishment of the Permanent Court of Arbitration at the Hague by + the First Hague Peace Conference of 1899. But more steps will be + necessary to turn the hitherto unorganised Community of States into + an organised League of Nations. + + VI. The organisation of the desired new League of Nations should + start from the beginning made by the Hague Peace Conferences, and + the League should therefore include all the independent civilised + States. + + VII. The objection to the reception of the Central Powers, and of + Germany especially, into the League. + + VIII. The objection to the reception of the minor transoceanic + States into the League. + + IX. The seven principles which ought to be accepted with regard to + the organisation of the new League of Nations. + + X. The organisation of the League of Nations is not an end in itself + but only a means of attaining three objects, the first of which is + International Legislation. The meaning of the term 'International + Legislation' in contradistinction to Municipal Legislation. + International Legislation in the past and in the future. + + XI. The difficulty in the way of International Legislation on + account of the language question. + + XII. The difficulty created by the conflicting national interests of + the several States. + + XIII. The difficulty caused by the fact that International Statutes + cannot be created by a majority vote of the States. The difference + between universal and general International Law offers a way out. + + XIV. The difficulty created by the fact that there are as yet no + universally recognised rules concerning interpretation and + construction of International Statutes and ordinary conventions. The + notorious Article 23(h) of the Hague Regulations concerning Land + Warfare. + + +THE LECTURE + + +I. In my first lecture on the League of Nations I recommended the +following three rules to be laid down by a League of Nations: + +Firstly, every State must submit all judicial disputes to an +International Court of Justice and must abide by the judgment of such +Court. + +Secondly, every State previous to resorting to arms, must submit every +political and non-judicial dispute to an International Council of +Conciliation and must at any rate listen to the advice of such Council. + +Thirdly, the member States must unite their forces against such State or +States as should resort to arms without previously having submitted the +matter in dispute to an International Court of Justice or to an +International Council of Conciliation. + +And I added that these three rules cannot create a satisfactory +condition of affairs unless four problems are faced and solved, namely: +The Organisation of the League, Legislation by the League, +Administration of Justice and Mediation within the League. My lecture +to-day will deal with two of these problems, namely the Organisation and +the Legislation of the League. + +Let us first consider the Organisation of the League. Hitherto the body +of civilised States which form the Family of Nations and which, as I +pointed out in my first lecture, is really a League of Nations evolved +by custom, has been an unorganised Community. This means that, although +there are plenty of legal rules for the intercourse of the several +States one with another, the Community of civilised States does not +possess any permanently established organs or agents for the conduct of +its common affairs. At present these affairs, if they are peaceably +settled, are either settled by ordinary diplomatic negotiation or, if +the matter is pressing and of the greatest importance, by temporarily +convened International Conferences or Congresses. + +II. It is true there are the so-called Great Powers which are the +leaders of the Family of Nations, and it is therefore asserted by some +authorities that the Community of States has acquired a certain amount +of organisation because the Great Powers are the legally recognised +superiors of the minor States. + +But is this assertion correct? The Great Powers, are they really the +legally recognised superiors of the minor States? + +I deny it. A Great Power is any large-sized State possessing a large +population which gains such economic, military, and naval strength that +its political influence must be reckoned with by all the other Powers. +At the time of the outbreak of the World War eight States had to be +considered as Great Powers, namely Great Britain, Austria-Hungary, +France, Germany, Italy, Russia, the United States of America, and Japan. +But it is very probable that the end of the World War will see the +number of Great Powers reduced to six. The collapse and break up of +Russia has surely for the present eliminated her from the number of +Great Powers. And it is quite certain that Austria-Hungary will not +emerge from the struggle as a Great Power, if she emerges from it as a +whole at all. History teaches that the number of the Great Powers is by +no means stable, and changes occasionally take place. Look at the +condition of affairs during the nineteenth century. Whereas at the time +of the Vienna Congress in 1815 eight States, namely Great Britain, +Austria, France, Portugal, Prussia, Spain, Sweden, and Russia were still +considered Great Powers, their number soon decreased to five, because +Portugal, Spain, and Sweden ceased to be Great Powers. On the other +hand, Italy joined the number of the Great Powers after her unification +in 1860; the United States of America joined the Great Powers after the +American Civil War in 1865; and Japan emerged as a Great Power from her +war with China in 1895. + +Be that as it may, so much is certain, a State is a Great Power not by +law but only by its political influence. The Great Powers are the +leaders of the Family of Nations because their political influence is +so great. Their political and economic influence is in the long run +irresistible; therefore all arrangements made by the Great Powers +naturally in most cases gain, either at once or in time, the consent of +the minor States. It may be said that the Great Powers exercise a kind +of political hegemony within the Family of Nations. Yet this hegemony is +not based on law, it is simply a political fact, and it is certainly not +a consequence of an organisation of the Family of Nations. + +III. The demand for a proper organisation of the Community of States +had, up to the outbreak of the World War, been raised exclusively on the +part of the so-called Pacifists in order to make the abolition of war a +possibility. It is a common assertion on the part of the Pacifists that +War cannot die out so long as there is no Central Political Authority in +existence above the several States which could compel them to bring +their disputes before an International Court and also compel them to +carry out the judgments of such a Court. For this reason many Pacifists +aim at such an organisation of the Community of States as would bring +all the civilised States of the world within the bonds of a federation. +They demand a World Federation of all the civilised States, or at any +rate a federation of the States of Europe, on the model of the United +States of America. + +If such a Federal World State were practically possible, there would be +no objection to it, although International Law as such would cease to +exist and be replaced by the Constitutional Law of this Federal World +State. But in my first lecture I pointed out that such a Federal World +State is practically impossible. And it is not even desirable. + +The development of mankind would seem in the main to be indissolubly +connected with the national development of the peoples. Most peoples +possessing a strong national consciousness desire an independent State +in which they can live according to their own ideals. They want to be +their own masters, and not to be part and parcel of a Federal World +State to which they would have to surrender a great part of their +independence. Moreover--as I likewise pointed out in my first lecture +(pp. 18-20)--it would be impossible to establish a strong Government and +a strong Parliament in a Federal World State. + +However this may be, it is not at all certain that war would altogether +disappear in a Federal World State. The history of Federal States +teaches that wars do occasionally break out between their member States. +Think of the war between the Roman Catholic and the Protestant member +States of the Swiss Confederation in 1847, of the war in 1863 between +the Northern and the Southern member States within the Federation which +is called the United States of America, and of the war between Prussia +and Austria within the German Confederation in 1866. + +IV. But what kind of organisation of the League of Nations is possible +if we reject the idea of a Federal State? + +Neither I, nor anyone else who does not like to build castles in the +air, can answer this question directly by making a detailed proposal. It +is at present quite impossible to work out a practical scheme according +to which a more detailed organisation of the League of Nations could be +realised. But so much is certain that every attempt at organising this +League must start from, and must keep intact, the independence and the +equality of all civilised States. It is for this reason that a Central +Political Authority above the sovereign States can never be thought of. +Every attempt to organise a League of Nations on the model of a Federal +State is futile. If a detailed organisation of the League should ever +come, it will be one _sui generis_, one absolutely of its own kind; such +as has never been seen before. And it is at present quite impossible to +map out a detailed plan of such an organisation although, as I shall +have to show you later, the first step towards an organisation has +already been made, and further steps towards the ideal can be taken. The +reason that it is at present impossible is that the growth and the final +shape of the organisation of the League of Nations will, and must, go +hand in hand with the progress of International Law. But the progress of +International Law is conditioned by the growth, the strengthening, and +the deepening of international economic and other interests, and of +international morality. It is a matter of course that this progress can +only be realised very slowly, for there is concerned a process of +development through many generations and perhaps through centuries, a +development whose end no one can foresee. It is sufficient for us to +state that the development had already begun before the World War, and +to try to foster it, as far as is in our power, after the conclusion of +peace. + +V. I said that this development has begun. Where is this beginning of +the development to be found? + +It is to be found in the establishment of the Permanent Court of +Arbitration at the Hague and the Office therewith connected. The +Permanent Court of Arbitration is not an institution of the several +States, but an institution of the Community of States in +contradistinction to its several members. Had the International Prize +Court agreed upon by the Second Hague Peace Conference of 1907 been +established, there would have come into existence another institution of +the Community of States. + +But the establishment of International Courts would not justify the +assertion that thereby the Community of States has turned from an +unorganised community into an organised community. To reach this goal +another step is required, namely an agreement amongst the Powers, +according to which the Hague Peace Conferences would be made a permanent +institution which periodically, within fixed intervals, assemble without +being convened by one Power or another. If this were done, we could say +that the hitherto unorganised Community of States had turned into an +organised League of Nations, for by such periodically assembling Hague +Peace Conferences there would be established an organ for the conduct +of all such international matters as require international legislation +or other international action. + +However that may be, the organisation created by the fact that the Hague +Peace Conferences periodically assembled, would only be an immature one; +more steps would be necessary in order that the organisation of the +Community of States might become more perfect and more efficient. Yet +progress would be slow, for every attempt at a progressive step meets +with opposition, and it would be only when the _international_ interests +of the civilised States become victorious over their particular +_national_ interests that the Community of States would gradually +receive a more perfect organisation. + +VI. There is no doubt that the experiences of mankind during the World +War have been quickening development more than could have been expected +in normal times. The universal demand for a new League of Nations +accepting the principles that every judicial dispute amongst nations +must be settled by International Courts and that every political dispute +must, before the parties resort to arms, be brought before a Council of +Conciliation, demonstrates clearly that the Community of States must now +deliberately give itself some kind of organisation, because without it +the principles just mentioned cannot be realised. + +Now a number of schemes for the organisation of a new League of Nations +have been made public. They all agree upon the three aims of the League +and the three rules for the realisation of these aims which I mentioned +in my first lecture, namely compulsory settlement of all judicial +disputes by International Courts of Justice, compulsory mediation in +cases of political disputes by an International Council of Conciliation, +and the duty of the members of the League to turn against any one member +which should resort to arms in violation of the principles laid down by +the League. However, these schemes differ very much with regard to the +_organisation_ of the League. I cannot now discuss the various schemes +in detail. It must suffice to say that some of them embody proposals for +a more or less state-like organisation and are therefore not acceptable +to those who share my opinion that any state-like organisation of the +League is practically impossible. But though some of the schemes, as for +instance that of Lord Bryce and that of Sir Willoughby Dickinson, avoid +this mistake, none of them take as their starting point that which I +consider to be the right one, namely the beginning made at the two Hague +Peace Conferences. _In my opinion the organisation of a new League of +Nations should start from the beginning made by the two Hague Peace +Conferences._ + +VII. However, there is much objection to this, because it would +necessitate the admission into the new League of all those States which +took part in the Second Hague Peace Conference, including, of course, +the Central Powers. The objections to such a wide range of the League +are two-fold. + +In the first instance, the admission of the Central Powers, and +especially of Germany, into the League is deprecated. By her attack on +Belgium at the outbreak of the war, and by her general conduct of the +war, Germany has deliberately taken up an attitude which proves that, +when her military interests are concerned, she does not consider herself +bound by any treaty, by any rule of law, or by any principle of +humanity. How can we expect that she will carry out the engagements into +which she might enter by becoming a member of the League of Nations? + +My answer is that, provided she be utterly defeated and no peace of +compromise be made with her, militarism in Germany will be doomed, the +reparation to be exacted from her for the many cruel wrongs must lead to +a change of Constitution and Government, and this change of Constitution +and Government will make Germany a more acceptable member of a new +League of Nations. The utter defeat of Germany is a necessary +preliminary condition to the possibility of her entrance into a League +of Nations. Those who speak of the foundation of a League of Nations as +a means of ending the World War by a peace of compromise with Germany +are mistaken. The necessary presuppositions of such a League are +entirely incompatible with an unbroken Prussian militarism. + +But while her utter defeat is the necessary preliminary condition to her +entrance into a League of Nations, the inclusion of Germany in the +League, after her utter defeat, is likewise a necessity. The reason is +that, as I pointed out in my first lecture (p. 17), in case the Central +Powers were excluded from the League, they would enter into a League of +their own, and the world would then be divided into two rival camps, in +the same way as before the war the Triple Alliance was faced by the +Entente. _The world would be proved not ripe for a new League of Nations +if peace were concluded with an undefeated Germany; and the League would +miss its purpose if to a defeated and repenting Germany entrance into it +were refused._ + +VIII. In the second instance, the entrance of the great number of minor +transoceanic States into the League is deprecated because these States +would claim an equal vote with the European Powers and thereby obstruct +progress within the League. + +It is asserted that some of the minor transatlantic States made the +discussions at the Hague Conferences futile by their claim to an equal +vote. Now it is true that some of these States have to a certain extent +impeded the work of the Hague Conferences, but some of the minor States +of Europe, and even some of the Great Powers, have done likewise. The +Community of States consisting of sovereign States does not possess any +means of compelling a minority of States to fall in with the views of +the majority, but I shall show you very soon, when I approach the +problem of International Legislation, that International Legislation of +a kind is possible in spite of this fact. And so much is certain that +the minimum of organisation of the new League which is now necessary, +cannot be considered to be endangered by the admittance of the minor +transoceanic States into the League. Progress will in any case be slow, +and perfect unanimity among the Powers will in any and every case only +be possible where the _international_ interests of all the Powers compel +them to put aside their real or imaginary particular _national_ +interests. + +IX. For these reasons I take it for granted that the organisation of a +new League of Nations should start from the beginning made by the Hague +Peace Conferences. Therefore the following seven principles ought to be +accepted: + + First principle: The League of Nations is composed of all civilised + States which recognise one another's external and internal + independence and absolute equality before International Law. + + Second principle: The chief organ of the League is the Peace + Conference at the Hague. The Peace Conferences meet + periodically--say every two or three years--without being convened + by any special Power. Their task is the gradual codification of + International Law and the agreement upon such International + Conventions as are from time to time necessitated by new + circumstances and conditions. + + Third principle: A permanent Council of the Conference is to be + created, the members of which are to be resident at the Hague and + are to conduct all the current business of the League of Nations. + This current business comprises: The preparation of the meetings of + the Peace Conference; the conduct of communications with the several + members of the League with regard to the preparation of the work of + the Peace Conferences; and all other matters of international + interest which the Conference from time to time hands over to the + Council. + + Fourth principle: Every recognised sovereign State has a right to + take part in the Peace Conferences. + + Fifth principle: Resolutions of the Conference can come into force + only in so far as they become ratified by the several States + concerned. On the other hand, every State agrees once for all + faithfully to carry out those resolutions which have been ratified + by it. + + Sixth principle: Every State that takes part in the Peace + Conferences is bound only by such resolutions of the Conferences as + it expressly agrees to and ratifies. Resolutions of a majority only + bind the majority. On the other hand, no State has a right to demand + that only such resolutions as it agrees to shall be adopted. + + Seventh principle: All members of the League of Nations agree once + for all to submit all judicial disputes to International Courts + which are to be set up, and to abide by their judgments. They + likewise agree to submit, previous to resorting to arms, all + non-judicial disputes to International Councils of Conciliation + which are to be set up. And they all agree to unite their economic, + military, and naval forces against any one or more States which + resort to arms without submitting their disputes to International + Courts of Justice or International Councils of Conciliation. + +You will have noticed that my proposals do not comprise the creation of +an International Government, an International Executive, an +International Parliament, and an International Army and Navy which would +serve as an International Police Force. No one can look into the future +and say what it will bring, but it is certain that for the present, and +for some generations to come, all attempts at creating an International +Government are not only futile but dangerous; because it is almost +certain that a League of Nations comprising an International Executive, +an International Parliament, and an International Army and Navy would +soon collapse. + +X. However this may be, and whatever may be the details of the +organisation of the League, such necessary organisation is not an end in +itself but a means of attaining three objects, namely: International +Legislation, International Administration of Justice, and International +Mediation. I shall discuss International Administration of Justice and +International Mediation in my next lecture, to-day I will only draw your +attention to International Legislation. + +In using the term 'International Legislation,' it must be understood +that 'legislation' is here to be understood in a figurative sense only. +When we speak of legislation in everyday language, we mean that process +of parliamentary activity by which Municipal Statutes are called into +existence. Municipal Legislation presupposes a sovereign power, which +prescribes rules of conduct to its subjects. It is obvious that within +the Community of States no such kind of legislation can take place. +Rules of conduct for the members of the League of Nations can only be +created by an agreement amongst those members. Whereas Municipal +Statutes contain the rules of conduct set by an authority sovereign over +its subjects, International Statutes--if I may be allowed to use that +term--contain rules of conduct which the members of the Community of +States have agreed to set for themselves. International Statutes are +created by the so-called Law-making Treaties of the Powers. But in one +point Municipal Legislation and the Law-making Treaties of the Powers +resemble one another very closely:--both intend to create law, and for +this reason it is permissible to use the term 'International +Legislation' figuratively for the conclusion of such international +treaties as contain rules of International Law. + +Now it would be very misleading to believe that no International +Legislation has taken place in the past. The fact is that, from the +Vienna Congress of 1815 onwards, agreements have been arrived at upon a +number of rules of International Law. However, such agreements have only +occurred occasionally, because the Community of civilised States has not +hitherto possessed a permanently established organ for legislating. Much +of the legislation which has taken place in the past was only a +by-product of Congresses or Conferences which had assembled for other +purposes. On the other hand, when legislation on a certain subject was +considered pressing, a Congress or Conference was convened for that +very purpose. It will be only when the Hague Peace Conferences have +become permanently established that an organ of the League of Nations +for legislating internationally will be at hand. And a wide field is +open for such legislation. The bulk of International Law in its present +state is--if I may say so--a book law, it is customary law which is only +to be found in text-books of International Law; it is, as regards many +points, controversial; it has many gaps; and it is in many ways +uncertain. International Legislation will be able gradually to create +international statutes which will turn this book law into firm, clear, +and authoritative statutory law. + +XI. But you must not imagine that International Legislation is an easy +matter. It is in fact full of difficulties of all kinds. I will only +mention four: + +There is, firstly, the language question. Since it is impossible to +draft International Statutes in all languages, it is absolutely +necessary to agree upon one language, and this language at present is, +as you all know, French. Yet, difficult as the language question is, it +is not insurmountable. It is hardly greater than the difficulty which +arises when two States, which speak different languages, have to agree +upon an ordinary convention. One point, however, must be specially +observed, and that is: when any question of the interpretation of an +International Statute occurs, it is the French text of the statute which +is authoritative, and not the text of the translation into other +languages. + +XII. Another difficulty with regard to International Legislation is the +conflicting _national_ interests of the different States. As +International Statutes are only possible when the several States come to +an agreement, it will often not be possible to legislate internationally +on a given matter, because the interests of the different States will be +so conflicting that an agreement cannot be arrived at. On the other +hand, as time goes on the international interests of the several States +frequently become so powerful that these Governments are quite ready to +brush aside their particular interests, and to agree upon a compromise +which makes International Legislation concerning the matter in question +possible. + +XIII. A third difficulty with regard to International Legislation is of +quite a particular kind. It arises from the fact that International +Statutes cannot be created by a vote of the majority of States, but only +by a unanimous vote of all the members of the Community of civilised +States. + +This difficulty, however, can be overcome by dropping the contention +that no legislation of any kind can be proceeded with unless every +member of the League of Nations agrees to it. It is a well-known fact +that a distinction has to be made between _universal_ International Law, +that is, rules to which every civilised State agrees, and _general_ +International Law, that is, rules to which only the greater number of +States agree. Now it is quite certain that no universal International +Law can be created by legislation to which not every member of the +League of Nations has agreed. Nothing, however, ought to prevent those +States which are ready to agree to certain new rules of International +Law, from legislating _for their own number_ on a certain matter. If +such legislation is really of value, the time will come when the +dissenting States will gradually accede. The Second Hague Peace +Conference acted on this principle, for a good many of its Conventions +were only agreed upon by the greater number, and not by all, of the +participating States. + +XIV. A fourth difficulty with regard to International Legislation is the +difficulty of the interpretation of, and the construction to be put +upon, International Statutes as well as ordinary international +conventions. We do not as yet possess universally recognised rules of +International Law concerning such interpretation and construction. Each +nation applies to International Statutes those rules of interpretation +and construction which are valid for the interpretation and construction +of their Municipal Statutes. + +Many international disputes have been due in the past to this difficulty +of interpretation and construction. A notorious example is that of the +interpretation of Article 23(h) of the Hague Regulations of 1907 +concerning Land Warfare, which lays down the rule that it is forbidden +'to declare abolished, suspended, or inadmissible in a Court of Law the +rights and actions of the nationals of the hostile party.' + +Germany and other continental States interpret this article to mean that +the Municipal Law of a State is not allowed to declare that the +outbreak of war suspends or avoids contracts with alien enemies, or +that war prevents alien enemies from bringing an action in the Courts. + +On the other hand, England and the United States of America interpret +this article to mean merely that the _occupant of enemy territory_ is +prohibited from declaring abolished, suspended, or inadmissible in a +Court of Law the rights and actions of the nationals of the hostile +party. + +What is the cause of this divergent interpretation of an article, the +literal meaning of which seems to be quite clear? The divergence is due +to the different mode of interpretation of statutes resorted to by +continental Courts, on the one hand, and, on the other hand, by British +and American Courts. + +Continental Courts take into consideration not only the literal meaning +of a clause of a statute, but also the intention of the legislator as +evidenced by--what I should like to call--the history of the clause. +They look for the intention of the draftsman, they search the +Parliamentary proceedings concerning the clause, and they interpret and +construe the clause with regard to the intention of the draftsman as +well as to the proceedings in Parliament. + +Now Article 23(h) of the Hague Regulations was inserted on the motion of +the German delegates to the Second Hague Peace Conference, and there is +no doubt that the German delegates intended by its insertion to prevent +the Municipal Law of belligerents from possessing a rule according to +which the outbreak of war suspends or avoids contracts with alien +enemies, and prohibits alien enemies from bringing an action in the +Courts. It is for this reason that Germany and other continental States +interpret Article 23(h) according to the intention of the German +delegates. + +On the other hand, in interpreting and construing a clause of a statute, +British and American Courts refuse to take into consideration the +intention of the draftsman, Parliamentary discussions concerning the +clause, and the like. They only take into consideration the literal +meaning of the clause as it stands in the statute of which it is a part. +Now Article 23(h) is a clause in the Convention concerning the Laws and +Customs of War on Land. It is one of several paragraphs of Article 23 +which comprises the prohibition of a number of acts by the armed forces +of belligerents in warfare on land, such as the employment of poison or +poisoned arms, and the like. The British and American delegates, +believing that it only concerned an act on the part of belligerent +forces occupying enemy territory, therefore consented to the insertion +of Article 23(h), and our Court of Appeal--in the case of Porter _v._ +Freundenberg (1915)--held that Article 23(h) is to be interpreted in +that sense.[1] + +Be that as it may, the difficulty of interpretation and construction of +international treaties will exist so long as no International Statute +has been agreed upon which lays down detailed rules concerning +interpretation and construction, or so long as International Courts have +not developed such rules in practice. But the problem of International +Courts is itself a very difficult one; it will be the subject of my +third lecture which will deal with Administration of Justice and +Mediation within the League of Nations. + +[1] By a letter of February 28, 1911, I drew the attention of the +Foreign Office to the interpretation of Article 23(h) which generally +prevailed on the Continent. This letter and the answer I received were +privately printed, and copies were distributed amongst those members and +associates of the Institute of International Law who attended the +meeting at Madrid. Since French, German, and Italian International Law +Journals published translations, but the original of the correspondence +was never published in this country, I think it advisable to append it +to this lecture. + + +APPENDIX + +CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE FOREIGN OFFICE RESPECTING THE INTERPRETATION OF +ARTICLE 23(h) OF THE HAGUE REGULATIONS CONCERNING LAND WARFARE + + +LETTER FROM THE PRESENT WRITER TO THE FOREIGN OFFICE. + + WHEWELL HOUSE, CAMBRIDGE, + _28th February, 1911_. + + TO + THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE + FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS. + +SIR,-- + +I venture to bring the following matter before your consideration:-- + +In the course of my recent studies I have been dealing with the laws and +usages of war on land, and I have had to consider the interpretation of +Article 23(h) of the Regulations attached to the Convention of 1907 +relating to the Laws and Customs of war on land. I find that the +interpretation prevailing among all continental and some English and +American authorities is contrary to the old English rule, and I would +respectfully ask to be informed of the view which His Majesty's +Government place upon the article in question. + +To give some idea as to how an interpretation of Article 23(h) contrary +to the old English rule prevails generally, I will quote a number of +French, German, English, and American writers, the works of whom I have +at hand in my library, and I will also quote the German _Weissbuch_ +concerning the results of the second Hague Conference of 1907. + +Bonfils, _Manuel de droit international public_, 5th ed. by Fauchille, +1908, discusses, on page 651, the doctrine which denies to an enemy +subject any _persona standi in judicio_, but adds:--'... Article 23(h) +décide qu'il est interdit de déclarer éteints, suspendus ou non +recevables en justice, les droits et actions des nationaux de la partie +adverse.' + +Politis, Professor of International Law in the University of Poitiers +(France), in his report to the Institute of International Law, Session +of Paris (1910), concerning _Effets de la Guerre sur les Obligations +Internationales et les Contrats privés_, page 18, says: + +'Un point hors de doute, c'est, que la guerre ne peut, ni par elle-même +ni par la volonté des belligérants, affecter la validité ou l'exécution +des contrats antérieurs. Cette règle fait désormais partie du droit +positif. L'article 23(h) du nouveau Règlement de la Haye interdit +formellement aux belligérants "de déclarer éteints, suspendus ou non +recevables en justice les droits et actions des nationaux de la partie +adverse." + +'Cette formule condamne d'anciens usages conservés encore, en partie, +dans certains pays. Elle proscrit d'abord tous les moyens--annulation ou +confiscation--par lesquels on chercherait à atteindre, dans leur +existence, les droits nés avant la guerre. Elle exclut, en second lieu, +l'ancienne pratique qui interdisait aux particuliers ennemis l'accès des +tribunaux. Elle prohibe, enfin, toutes les mesures législatives ou +autres tendant à entraver au cours de la guerre l'exécution ou les +effets utiles des obligations privées, notamment le cours des intérêts. + +'Il y a là progrès incontestable. Et l'on doit être reconnaissant à la +délégation allemande à la 2e Conférence de la paix de l'avoir provoqué. + +'L'accueil empressé et unanime qu'a reçu cette heureuse initiative +permet d'espérer que de nouveaux progrès pourront être réalisés dans cet +ordre d'idées. + +'On doit souhaiter que la disposition de l'article 23(h), étrangère à +l'hypothèse de l'occupation du territoire ennemi, soit distraite du +règlement de 1907 (comme les articles 57 à 60 l'ont été du Règlement de +1899) pour être mieux placée dans une convention nouvelle, où d'autres +textes viendraient la compléter.' + +Ullmann, _Völkerrecht_, 2nd ed. 1908, p. 474, says:-- + +'Auch der Rechtsverkehr wird durch den Ausbruch des Krieges nicht +unterbrochen oder gehemmt. Die nach Landesrecht frueher uebliche +zeitweise Aufhebung der Klagbarkeit vom Schuldverbindlichkeiten des +Staates oder eines Angehörigen gegen Angehörige des Feindes ist durch +Artikel 23(h) untersagt.' + +Wehberg, _Das Beuterecht im Land- und Seekriege_, 1909, pp. 5 and 6 +says:-- + +'Article 46 Absatz 2 bestimmt:--"Das Privateigentum darf nicht +eingezogen werden." In konsequenter Durchführung dieses Satzes bestimmt +der auf deutschen Antrag 1907 hinzugefügte Article 23(h):--"Untersagt +ist die Aufhebung oder zeitweilige Ausserkraftsetzung der Rechte und +Forderungen von Angehoerigen der Gegenpartei oder der Ausschliessung +ihrer Klagbarkeit."' + +Whittuck, _International Documents_, London 1908, Introduction p. xxvii, +says--'In Article 23(h) it is prohibited to declare abolished, suspended +or inadmissible in a court of law the rights and actions of the +nationals of the other belligerent which is a development of the +principle that the private property of the subjects of a belligerent is +not subject to confiscation. This new prohibition if accepted by this +country would necessitate some changes in our municipal law.' + +Holland, _The Laws of War on Land_, 1908, says on p. 5 that:--'Article +23(h) seems to require the Signatory Powers to the convention concerned +to legislate for the abolition of an enemy's disability to sustain a +_persona standi in judicio_.' (See also Holland, _loco citato_, p. 44, +where he expresses his doubts concerning the interpretation of Article +23(h).) + +Bordwell, _The Law of War between Belligerents_, Chicago 1908, +recognises on page 210 the fact that according to Article 23(h) an alien +enemy must now be allowed to sue in the courts of a belligerent, and + +Gregory, Professor in the University of Iowa, who reviews Bordwell's +work in the _American Journal of International Law_, Volume 3 (1909), +page 788, takes up the same standpoint. + +The only author who interprets Article 23(h) in a different way is +General Davis, who in his _Elements of International Law_, 3rd edition +1908, page 578, note 1, says:-- + +'It is more than probable that this humane and commendable purpose would +fail of accomplishment if a military commander conceived it to be within +his authority to suspend or nullify their operation, or to regard their +application in certain cases as a matter falling within his +administrative discretion. Especially is this true where a military +officer refuses to receive well grounded complaints, or declines to +receive demands for redress, in respect to the acts or conduct of the +troops under his command, from persons subject to the jurisdiction of +the enemy who find themselves, for the time being, in the territory +which he holds in military occupation. To provide against such a +contingency it was deemed wise to add an appropriate declaratory clause +to the prohibition of Article 23.' + +It is very unfortunate that the book of General Davis is not at all +known on the Continent, and that therefore none of the continental +authors have any knowledge of the fact that a divergent interpretation +from their own of Article 23(h) is being preferred by an American +author. + +It is likewise very unfortunate that neither the English Bluebook on the +Second Hague Peace Conference (see Parliamentary Papers, Miscellaneous +No. 4, 1907, page 104) nor the official minutes of the proceedings of +the Conference, edited by the Dutch Government, give any such +information concerning the construction of Article 23(h) as could assist +a jurist in forming an opinion regarding the correct interpretation. + +It is, however, of importance to take notice of the fact that Article +23(h) is an addition to Article 23 which was made on the proposition of +Germany, and that Germany prefers an interpretation of Article 23(h) +which would seem to coincide with the interpretation preferred by all +the continental writers. This becomes clearly apparent from the German +_Weissbuch ueber die Ergebnisse der im Jahre 1907 in Haag abgehaltenen +Friedensconferenz_, which contains on page 7 the following:-- + +'Der Artikel 23 hat gleichfalls auf deutschen Antrag zwei wichtige +Zusätze erhalten. Durch den ersten wird der Grundsatz der +Unverletzlichkeit des Privateigenthumes auch auf dem Gebiete der +Forderungsrechte anerkannt. Nach der Gesetzgebung einzelner Staaten soll +nämlich der Krieg die Folge haben, dass die Schuldverbindlichkeiten des +Staates oder seiner Angehörigen gegen Angehörige des Feindes aufgehoben +oder zeitweilig ausser Kraft gesetzt oder wenigstens von der +Klagbarkeit ausgeschlossen werden. Solche Vorschriften werden nun durch +den Artikel 23 Abs. 1 unter h für unzulässig erklärt.' + +However this may be, the details given above show sufficiently that a +divergent interpretation of Article 23(h) from the old English rule is +prevalent on the Continent, and is to some extent also accepted by +English and American Authorities, and it is for this reason that I would +ask whether His Majesty's Government consider that the old English rule +is no longer in force. + + I have, &c., + + (Signed) L. OPPENHEIM. + + +LETTER FROM THE FOREIGN OFFICE TO THE PRESENT WRITER. + + FOREIGN OFFICE, + _March 27, 1911_. + +SIR,-- + +I am directed by Secretary Sir E. Grey to thank you for your letter of +February 28th, and for drawing his attention to the misconceptions which +appear to prevail so largely among the continental writers on +international law with regard to the purport and effect of Article 23(h) +of the Convention of October 18th, 1907, respecting the laws and customs +of war on land. + +It seems very strange that jurists of the standing of those from whose +writings you quote could have attributed to the article in question the +meaning and effect they have given it if they had studied the general +scheme of the instrument in which it finds a place. + +The provision is inserted at the end of an article dealing with the +prohibited modes of warfare. It forms part of Chapter I. of Section II. +of the Regulations annexed to the Convention. The title of Chapter I. is +'Means of injuring the enemy, sieges and bombardment': and if the +article itself is examined it will be seen to deal with such matters as +employing poison or poisoned weapons, refusing quarter, use of treachery +and the unnecessary destruction of private property. Similarly the +following articles (24 to 28) all deal with the restrictions which the +nations felt it incumbent upon them from a sense of humanity to place +upon the conduct of their armed forces in the actual prosecution of +military operations. + +The Regulation in which these articles figure is itself merely an annex +to the Convention which alone forms the contractual obligation between +the parties, and the engagement which the parties to the Convention have +undertaken is (Article 1) to 'issue instructions to their armed land +forces in conformity with the Regulations respecting the Law and Customs +of war on land.' + +This makes it abundantly clear that the purpose and scope of the +Regulations is limited to the proceedings of the armies in the field; +those armies are under the orders of the commanders, and the Governments +are bound to issue instructions to those commanders to act in accordance +with the Regulations. That is all. There is nothing in the Convention or +in the Regulations dealing with the rights or the status of the +non-combatant individuals, whether of enemy nationality or domiciled in +enemy territory. They are, of course, if inhabitants of the theatre of +war, affected by the provisions of the Regulations because they are +individuals who are affected by the military operations, and in a sense +a regulation which forbids a military commander from poisoning a well +gives a non-combatant inhabitant a right or a quasi-right not to have +his well poisoned, but his rights against his neighbours, his relations +with private individuals, whether of his own or of enemy nationality, +remain untouched by this series of rules for the conduct of warfare on +land. + +Turning now to the actual wording of Article 23(h) it will be seen that +it begins with the wording 'to declare.' It is particularly forbidden +'to _declare_ abolished, &c.' This wording necessarily contemplates the +issue of some proclamation or notification purporting to abrogate or to +change rights previously existing and which would otherwise have +continued to exist, and in view of Article I of the Convention this +hypothetical proclamation must have been one which it was assumed the +commander of the army would issue; consequently, stated broadly, the +effect of Article 23(h) is that a commander in the field is forbidden to +attempt to terrorise the inhabitants of the theatre of war by depriving +them of existing opportunities of obtaining relief to which they are +entitled in respect of private claims. + +Sir E. Grey is much obliged to you for calling his attention to the +extract which you quote from the German White Book. This extract may be +translated as follows:--'Article 23 has also received on German +proposal two weighty additions. By the first the fundamental principle +of the inviolability of private property in the domain of legal claims +is recognised. According to the legislation of individual states, war +has the result of extinguishing or temporarily suspending, or at least +of suppressing the liability of the state or its nationals to be sued by +nationals of the enemy. These prescriptions have now been declared +inadmissible by Article 23(h).' + +The original form of the addition to Article 23 which the German +delegates proposed was as follows: 'de déclarer éteintes, suspendues ou +non recevables les réclamations privées de ressortissants de la Partie +adverse' (see procès-verbal of the 2nd meeting of the 1st sub-Committee +of the 2nd Committee, 10th July, 1907). + +There is nothing to show that any explanation was vouchsafed to the +effect that the proposed addition to the article was intended to mean +more than its wording necessarily implied, though there is a statement +by one of the German delegates in the procès-verbal of the 1st meeting +of the 1st sub-Committee of the 2nd Committee, on July 3rd, which in all +probability must have referred to this particular amendment, though the +procès-verbal does not render it at all clear; nor is the statement +itself free from ambiguity. An amendment was suggested and accepted at +the second meeting to add the words 'en justice' after 'non recevables,' +and in this form the sub-article was considered by an examining +committee, was accepted and incorporated in Article 23, and brought +before and accepted by the Conference in its 4th Plenary Sitting on the +17th August, 1907. + +The subsequent alteration in the wording must have been made by the +Drafting Committee, but cannot have been considered to affect the +substance of the provision, as in the 10th Plenary Sitting on October +17th, 1907, the reporter of the Drafting Committee, in dealing with the +verbal amendments made in this Convention, merely said, 'En ce qui +concerne le règlement lui-même, je n'appellerai pas votre attention sur +les différentes modifications de style sans importance que nous y avons +introduites.' + +Nor is there anything to indicate any such far-reaching interpretation +as the German White Book suggests in the report which accompanied the +draft text of the Convention when it was brought before the Plenary +Sitting of the Conference (Annex A. to 4th Plenary Sitting). It merely +states that the addition is regarded as embodying in very happy terms a +consequence of the principles accepted in 1899. + +The result appears to Sir E. Grey to be that neither the wording nor the +context nor the circumstances attending the introduction of the +provision which now figures as Article 23(h) support the interpretation +which the writers you quote place upon it and which the German White +Book endorses. + +Sir E. Grey notices that, in the extract you quote, Monsieur Politis, +after placing his own interpretation upon the article, remarks that it +is quite foreign to the hypothesis of the occupation of territory and +ought to be removed from the Regulations and turned into a Convention by +itself. If this interpretation were correct, this remark of Monsieur +Politis is certainly true: but the fact that the provision appears where +it does should have suggested to Monsieur Politis that it does not bear +the interpretation he puts upon it. + +Nor does it appear to Sir E. Grey that the provision conflicts with the +principle of the English common law that an enemy subject is not +entitled to bring an action in the courts to sustain a contract, +commerce with enemy subjects being illegal. + +That principle operates automatically on the outbreak of war, it +requires no declaration by the Government, still less by a commander in +the field, to bring it into operation. It is a principle which applies +equally whether the war is being waged on land or sea, and which is +applied in all the courts and not merely in those within the field of +the operations of the military commanders. + +The whole question of the effect of war upon the commerce of private +persons may require reconsideration in the future; the old rules may be +scarcely consistent with the requirements or the conditions of modern +commerce; but a modification of those rules is not one to which His +Majesty's Government could be a party except after careful enquiry and +consideration, and, when made at all, it must be done by a convention +that applies to war both on land and sea. + +They certainly have not become parties to any such modification by +agreeing to a convention which relates only to the instructions they are +to give the commanders of their armed forces, and which is limited to +war on land. + + I am, &c., + + (Signed) F. A. CAMPBELL. + + + + +THIRD LECTURE + +ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE AND MEDIATION WITHIN THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS + + +SYNOPSIS + + I. Administration of Justice within the League is a question of + International Courts, but it is incorrect to assert that + International Legislation necessitates the existence of + International Courts. + + II. The Permanent Court of Arbitration created by the First Hague + Peace Conference. + + III. The difficulties connected with International Administration of + Justice by International Courts. + + IV. The necessity for a Court of Appeal above the International + Court of First Instance. + + V. The difficulties connected with the setting up of International + Courts of Justice. + + VI. Details of a scheme which recommends itself because it + distinguishes between the Court as a whole and the several Benches + which would be called upon to decide the cases. + + VII. The advantages of the recommended scheme. + + VIII. A necessary provision for so-called complex cases of dispute. + + IX. A necessary provision with regard to the notorious clause _rebus + sic stantibus_. + + X. The two starting points for a satisfactory proposal concerning + International Mediation by International Councils of Conciliation. + Article 8 of the Hague Convention concerning Pacific Settlement of + International disputes. The Permanent International Commissions of + the Bryan Peace Treaties. + + XI. Details of a scheme which recommends itself for the + establishment of International Councils of Conciliation. + + XII. The question of disarmament. + + XIII. The assertion that States renounce their sovereignty by + entering into the League. + + XIV. Conclusion: Can it be expected that, in case of a great + conflict of interests, all the members of the League will faithfully + carry out their engagements? + + +THE LECTURE + +I. My last lecture dealt with the organisation of a League of Nations +and International Legislation by the League. To-day I want to draw your +attention to International Administration of Justice and International +Mediation within the League. + +I begin with International Administration of Justice which, of course, +is a question of International Courts of Justice. Hitherto, although +International Legislation has been to some extent in existence, no +International Courts have been established before which States in +dispute have been compelled to appear. Now there is no doubt that +International Legislation loses in value if there are no arrangements +for International Administration of Justice by independent and permanent +International Courts. Yet it is incorrect to assert, although it is +frequently done, that one may not speak of legislation and a law created +by legislation without the existence of Courts to administer such law. + +Why is this assertion incorrect? Because the function of Courts is to +decide _controversial_ questions of law or of fact in case the +respective parties cannot agree concerning them. However, in most cases +the law is not in jeopardy, and its commands are carried out by those +concerned without any necessity for a Court to declare the law. Modern +International Law has been in existence for several hundred years, and +its commands have in most cases been complied with in the absence of +International Courts. On the other hand, there is no doubt that, if +controversies arise about a question of law or a question of fact, the +authority of the law can be successfully vindicated only by the verdict +of a Court. And it is for this reason that no highly developed Community +can exist for long without Courts of Justice. + +II. The Community of civilised States did not, until the end of the +nineteenth century, possess any permanent institution which made the +administration of international justice possible. When States were in +conflict and, instead of having recourse to arms, resolved to have the +dispute peaceably settled by an award, in every case they agreed upon +so-called arbitration, and they nominated one or more arbitrators, whom +they asked to give a verdict. For this reason, it was an epoch-making +step forward when the First Peace Conference of 1899 agreed upon the +institution of a Permanent Court of Arbitration, and a code of rules for +the procedure before this Court. Although the term 'Permanent Court of +Arbitration,' as applied to the institution established by the First +Hague Peace Conference, is only a euphemism, since actually the Court +concerned is not a permanent one and the members of the Court have in +every case to be nominated by the parties, there is in existence, +firstly, a permanent panel of persons from which the arbitrators may be +selected; secondly, a permanent office at the Hague; and, thirdly, a +code of procedure before the Court. Thereby an institution has been +established which is always at hand in case the parties in conflict +want to make use of it; whereas in former times parties in conflict had +to negotiate a long time in order to set up the machinery for +arbitration. And the short time of twenty years has fully justified the +expectations aroused by the institution of the Permanent Court of +Arbitration, for a good number of cases have been brought before it and +settled to the satisfaction of the parties concerned. + +And the Second Hague Peace Conference of 1907 contemplated further steps +by agreeing upon a treaty concerning the establishment of an +International Court of Appeal in Prize Cases, and upon a draft treaty +concerning a really Permanent International Court of Justice side by +side with the existing Court of Arbitration. Although neither of these +contemplated International Courts has been established, there is no +doubt that, if after the present war a League of Nations becomes a +reality, one or more International Courts of Justice will surely be +established, although the existing Permanent Court of Arbitration may +remain in being. + +III. But just as regards International Legislation, I must warn you not +to imagine that International Administration of Justice by International +Courts is an easy matter. It is in fact full of difficulties of many +kinds. + +The peculiar character of International Law; the rivalry between the +different schools of international jurists, namely the Naturalists, +Positivists, and Grotians; the question of language; the peculiarities +of the systems of law of the different States, of their constitutions, +and many other difficulties, entail the danger that International Courts +may become the arena of national jealousies, of empty talk, and of +political intrigues, instead of being pillars of international justice. + +Everything depends upon what principles will guide the States in their +selection of the individuals whom they appoint as members of +International Courts. Not diplomatists, not politicians, but only men +ought to be appointed who have had a training in law in general, and in +International Law in particular; men who are linguists, knowing, at any +rate, the French language besides their own; men who possess +independence of character and are free from national prejudices of every +kind. There is no doubt that, under present conditions and circumstances +of international life, the institution of International Courts +represents an unheard of experiment. There is, however, likewise no +doubt that _now_ is the time for the experiment to be made, and I +believe that the experiment will be successful, provided the several +States are careful in the appointment of the judges. + +IV. And it must be emphasised that an International Court of Appeal +above the one or several International Courts is a necessity. Just as +Municipal Courts of Justice, so International Courts of Justice are not +infallible. If the States are to be compelled to have their judicial +disputes settled by International Administration of Justice, there must +be a possibility of bringing an appeal from lower International Courts +to a Higher Court. It is only in this way that in time a body of +International Case Law can grow up, which will be equivalent in its +influence upon the practice of the States to the municipal case law of +the different States. + +V. I have hitherto considered in a general way only the difficulties of +International Administration of Justice; I have not touched upon the +particular difficulties connected with the setting up and manning of +International Courts. If the several States could easily agree upon, +say, five qualified men as judges of a Court of First Instance, and +upon, say, seven qualified men as judges of a Court of Appeal, there +would be no difficulty whatever in setting up these two Courts. And +perhaps some generations hence the time may come when such an agreement +will be possible. In our time it cannot be expected, and here therefore +lies the great difficulty in the way of setting up and manning +International Courts of Justice; because there is no doubt that each +State will claim the right to appoint at least one man of its own choice +to sit as judge in the International Court or Courts. And since there +are about fifty or more civilised independent States in existence, the +International Court would comprise fifty or more members. + +Now why would the several States claim a right to appoint at least one +man of their own choice as judge? They would do this because they desire +to have a representative of their own general legal views in the Court. +It is a well-known fact that not only the legal systems which prevail in +the several States differ, but also that there are differences +concerning the fundamental conceptions of justice, law, procedure, and +evidence. Each State fears that an International Court will create a +practice fundamentally divergent from its general legal views, unless +there is at least one representative of its own general legal views +sitting in the Court. + +I think that in spite of everything the difficulty is not insurmountable +provided a scheme for an International Court which follows closely the +model of Municipal Courts is not insisted upon. Just as the organisation +of a League of Nations cannot follow the model of the organisation of a +State, so the attempt to set up an International Court must not aim at +following closely the model of Municipal Courts. What is required is an +institution which secures the settlement of judicial international +disputes by giving judgments on the basis of law. I think this demand +can be satisfied by a scheme which would meet both the claim of each +State to nominate one judge and the necessity not to overcrowd the Bench +which decides each dispute. + +VI. The scheme which I should like to recommend is one which +distinguishes between the Court as a whole and the several Benches which +would be called upon to decide the several cases. It is as follows: + +The Court as a whole to consist of as many judges as there are members +of the League, each member to appoint one judge and one deputy judge who +would take the place of the judge in case of illness or death or other +cause of absence. The President, the Vice-President, and, say, twelve or +fourteen members to constitute the Permanent Bench of the Court and +therefore to be resident the whole year round at the Hague. Half of the +members of this Permanent Bench of the Court to be appointed by the +Great Powers--each Great Power to appoint one--and the other half of the +members to be appointed by the minor Powers. Perhaps the Scandinavian +Powers might agree upon the nomination of one member; Holland and Spain +and Portugal upon another; Belgium, Switzerland, and Luxemburg upon a +third; the Balkan States upon a fourth; Argentina, Brazil, and Chile +upon a fifth; and so on. Anyhow, some arrangement would have to be made +according to which the minor Powers unite upon the appointment of half +the number of the Permanent Bench. + +If a judicial dispute arises between two States, the case to go in the +first instance before a Bench comprising the two judges appointed by the +two States in dispute and a President who, as each case arises, is to be +selected by the Permanent Bench of the Court from the members of this +Bench. This Court of First Instance having given its judgment, each +party to have a right of appeal. The appeal to go before the Permanent +Bench at the Hague, which is to give judgment with a quorum of six +judges with the addition of those judges who served as the Bench of +First Instance. The right of appeal to exist only on questions of law +and not on questions of fact. + +Decisions of the Appeal Court to be binding precedents for itself and +for any Courts of First Instance. But should the Appeal Court desire to +go back on a former decision of law, this to be possible only at a +meeting of the Court comprising at least twelve members of the Permanent +Bench. + +VII. The proposal which I have just sketched, and which will need to be +worked out in detail if it is to be realised, offers the following +advantages: + +Every case would in the first instance be decided by a small Bench which +would enjoy the confidence of both parties because they would have their +own judge in the Court. This point is of particular importance with +regard to the mode of taking evidence and making clear the facts; but is +likewise of importance on account of the divergence of fundamental legal +views and the like. + +Since the Court of Appeal would only decide points of law, the facts as +elucidated by the Bench of First Instance would remain settled. But the +existence of the Court of Appeal would enable the parties to re-argue +questions of law with all details. The fact that six of the Bench which +serves as a Court of Appeal are members of the Permanent Bench would +guarantee a thorough reconsideration of the points of law concerned, and +likewise the maintenance and sequence of tradition in International +Administration of Justice. + +Again, the fact that the Court of Appeal is to comprise, besides six +members of the Permanent Bench, those three judges who sat as the Bench +of First Instance would guarantee that the judges appointed by the +States in dispute could again bring into play any particular views of +law they may hold. + +VIII. This is the outline of my scheme for the establishment and manning +of the International Court of Justice. But before I leave the subject, I +must say a few words concerning two important points which almost all +other schemes for the establishment of an International Court overlook. +Firstly, the necessity to make provision for what I should like to call +complex cases of dispute; namely, cases which are justiciable but in +which, besides the question of law, there is at the same time involved a +vital political principle or claim. Take the case of a South American +State entering into an agreement with a non-American State to lease to +it a coaling station: this case is justiciable, but besides the question +of law there is a political claim involved in it, namely, the Monroe +doctrine of the United States. Unless provision be made for the +settlement of such complex cases, the League of Nations will not be a +success, for it might well happen that a case touches vital political +interests in such a way as not to permit a State to have it settled by a +mere juristic decision. + +Now my proposal to meet such complex cases is that when a party objects +to a settlement of a case on mere juristic principles, although the +other party maintains that it is a justiciable case, the Bench which is +to serve as Bench of First Instance shall investigate the matter with +regard to the question whether the case is more political than legal in +nature. If the Court decides the question in the negative, then the same +Court shall give judgment on the dispute; but, if the Court decides the +question in the affirmative, then the case shall be referred by the +Court to the International Council of Conciliation. Whatever the +decision of the Bench of First Instance may be, each party shall have +the right of appeal to the Permanent Bench which serves as the Court of +Appeal. + +IX. The other point which I desire to mention before I leave the subject +of International Administration of Justice concerns the notorious +principle _conventio omnis intelligitur rebus sic stantibus_. You know +that almost all publicists and also almost all Governments assert the +existence of a customary rule according to which a vital change of +circumstances after ratification of a treaty may be of such a kind as to +justify a party in demanding to be released either from the whole treaty +or from certain obligations stipulated in it. But the meaning of the +term 'vital change of circumstances' is elastic, and there is therefore +great danger that the principle _conventio omnis intelligitur rebus sic +stantibus_ will be abused for the purpose of hiding the violation of +treaties behind the shield of law. This danger will remain so long as +there is no International Court in existence which, on the motion of one +of the contracting parties, could set aside the treaty obligation whose +fulfilment has become so oppressive that in justice the obliged party +might ask to be released. Now, as the League of Nations is to set up an +International Court of Justice, my proposal is that the Court should be +declared competent to give judgment on the claim of a party to a treaty +to be released from its obligations on account of vital change of +circumstances. Of course the case would go before that Bench of the +Court which is to serve as the Court of First Instance, and an appeal +would lie to the Permanent Bench which serves as the Court of Appeal. + +X. Having given you the outlines of a scheme concerning International +Administration of Justice, I now turn to International Mediation by +International Councils of Conciliation. + +For a satisfactory proposal concerning International Councils of +Conciliation two starting points offer themselves. One starting point is +the special form of mediation recommended by Article 8 of the Hague +Convention concerning the pacific settlement of international disputes. +The following is the text of this Article 8: + + 'The Signatory Powers are agreed in recommending the application, + when circumstances allow, of special mediation in the following + form:-- + + 'In case of a serious difference endangering peace, the contending + States choose respectively a Power, to which they intrust the + mission of entering into direct communication with the Power chosen + on the other side, with the object of preventing the rupture of + pacific relations. + + 'For the period of this mandate, the term of which, in default of + agreement to the contrary, cannot exceed thirty days, the States at + variance cease from all direct communication on the subject of the + dispute, which is regarded as referred exclusively to the mediating + Powers. These Powers shall use their best efforts to settle the + dispute. + + 'In case of a definite rupture of pacific relations, these Powers + remain jointly charged with the task of taking advantage of any + opportunity to restore peace.' + +The second starting point is supplied by the Permanent International +Commissions of the so-called Bryan Peace Treaties concluded in 1913-14 +by the United States of America with a number of other States. These +peace treaties are not in every point identical, but of interest to us +here are the clauses according to which Permanent International +Commissions are set up to serve as Councils of Conciliation. The +following is the text of the three articles concerned of the treaty +between the United States and Great Britain of September 15, 1914: + + Art. I. 'The High Contracting Parties agree that all disputes + between them, of every nature whatsoever, other than disputes the + settlement of which is provided for and in fact achieved under + existing agreements between the High Contracting Parties, shall, + when diplomatic methods of adjustment have failed, be referred for + investigation and report to a permanent International Commission, to + be constituted in the manner prescribed in the next succeeding + article; and they agree not to declare war or begin hostilities + during such investigation and before the report is submitted.' + + Art. II. 'The International Commission shall be composed of five + members, to be appointed as follows: One member shall be chosen from + each country, by the Government thereof; one member shall be chosen + by each Government from some third country; the fifth member shall + be chosen by common agreement between the two Governments, it being + understood that he shall not be a citizen of either country. The + expenses of the Commission shall be paid by the two Governments in + equal proportions.' + + 'The International Commission shall be appointed within six months + after the exchange of the ratifications of this treaty; and + vacancies shall be filled according to the manner of the original + appointment.' + + Art. III. 'In case the High Contracting Parties shall have failed to + adjust a dispute by diplomatic methods, they shall at once refer it + to the International Commission for investigation and report. The + International Commission may, however, spontaneously by unanimous + agreement offer its services to that effect, and in such case it + shall notify both Governments and request their co-operation in the + investigation.' + +Keeping in view the special form of mediation recommended by Article 8 +of the Hague Convention concerning the Pacific Settlement of +International Disputes and the stipulations of the Bryan Peace Treaties +concerning Permanent International Commissions, we can reach a +satisfactory solution of the problem of International Mediation if we +take into consideration the two reasons why a League of Nations must +stipulate the compulsion of its members to bring non-justiciable +disputes before a Council of Conciliation previous to resorting to +hostilities. These reasons are, firstly, that war in future shall not be +declared without a previous attempt to have the dispute peaceably +settled, and, secondly, that war in future shall not break out like a +bolt from the blue. + +XI. My proposal concerning International Councils of Conciliation is the +following: + +Every member of the League shall appoint for a term of years--say five +or ten--two conciliators and two deputy conciliators from among their +own subjects, and one conciliator and one deputy conciliator from among +the subjects of some other State. Now when a non-justiciable dispute +arises between two States which has not been settled by diplomatic +means, the three conciliators of each party in dispute shall meet to +investigate the matter, to report thereon, and to propose, if possible, +a settlement. + +According to this proposal there would be in existence a number of +Councils of Conciliation equal to half the number of the members of the +League. Whenever a dispute arises, the Permanent Council of +Conciliation--with which I shall deal presently--shall appoint a +Chairman from amongst its own members. The Council thus constituted +shall investigate the case, report on it, send a copy to each party in +dispute and to the Permanent Council of Conciliation. + +The _Permanent_ Council of Conciliation should be a _small_ Council to +be established by each of the Great Powers appointing one conciliator +and one deputy conciliator for a period of--say--five or ten years. The +reason why only the Great Powers should be represented in the Permanent +Council of Conciliation at the Hague is that naturally, in case coercion +is to be resorted to against a State which begins war without having +previously submitted the dispute to a Council of Conciliation, the Great +Powers will be chiefly concerned. This Permanent Council of Conciliation +would have to watch the political life of the members of the League and +communicate with all the Governments of the members in case the peace of +the world were endangered by the attitude of one of the members; for +instance by one or more of the members arming excessively. The Council +would likewise be competent to draw the attention of States involved in +a dispute to the fact that they ought to bring it before either the +International Court of Justice or their special Council of Conciliation. + +This proposal of mine concerning mediation within the League of Nations +is, of course, sketchy and would need working out in detail if one were +thinking of preparing a full plan for its realisation. However that may +be, my proposal concerning a number of Councils of Conciliation has the +advantage that non-justiciable disputes would in each case be +investigated and reported on by conciliators who have once for all been +appointed by the States in dispute and who therefore possess their +confidence. On the other hand, the proposed Permanent Council of +Conciliation would guarantee to the Great Powers that important +influence which is due to them on account of the fact that they would be +chiefly concerned in case economic, military, or naval measures had to +be resorted to against a recalcitrant member of the League. + +XII. Having discussed International Mediation by International Councils +of Conciliation, I must now turn to two questions which I have hitherto +purposely omitted, although in the eyes of many people they stand in the +forefront of interest, namely, firstly, _disarmament_ as a consequence +of the peaceable settlement of disputes by an International Court of +Justice and International Councils of Conciliation, and, secondly, the +question of the _surrender of sovereignty_ which it is asserted is +involved by the entrance of any State into the proposed League of +Nations. + +Now as regards disarmament, I have deliberately abstained from +mentioning it hitherto, although it is certainly a question of the +greatest importance. The reason for my abstention is a very simple one. +I have always maintained that disarmament can neither diminish the +number of wars nor abolish war altogether, but that, if the number of +wars diminishes or if war be abolished altogether, disarmament will +follow. There is no doubt that when once the new League of Nations is in +being, war will occur much more rarely than hitherto. For this reason +disarmament will _ipso facto_ follow the establishment of a League of +Nations, and the details of such disarmament are matters which will soon +be solved when once the new League has become a reality. Yet I must +emphasise the fact that disarmament is not identical with the total +abolition of armies and navies. The possibility must always be kept in +view that one or more members of the League will be recalcitrant, and +that then the other members must unite their forces against them. And +there must likewise be kept in view the possibility of a war between two +members of the League on account of a political dispute in which +mediation by the International Councils of Conciliation was +unsuccessful. Be that as it may, it is certain that in time disarmament +can take place to a very great extent, and it is quite probable that +large standing armies based on conscription might everywhere be +abolished and be replaced by militia. + +XIII. Let me now turn to the question of sovereignty. Is the assertion +really true that States renounce their sovereignty by entering into the +League? The answer depends entirely upon the conception of sovereignty +with which one starts. If sovereignty were absolutely unfettered liberty +of action, a loss of sovereignty would certainly be involved by +membership of the League, because every member submits to the +obligation never to resort to arms on account of a judicial dispute, and +in case of a political dispute to resort to arms only after having given +an opportunity of mediation to an International Council of Conciliation. +But in fact sovereignty does not mean absolutely boundless liberty of +action; and moreover sovereignty has at no time been a conception upon +the contents of which there has been general agreement. + +The term 'sovereignty' was introduced into political science by Bodin in +his celebrated work 'De la République,' which appeared in 1577. Before +that time, the word _souverain_ was used in France for any political or +other authority which was not subordinate to any higher authority; for +instance, the highest Courts were called _cours souveraines_. Now Bodin +gave quite a new meaning to the old term. Being under the influence and +in favour of the policy of centralisation initiated by Louis XI of +France (1461-1483), the founder of French absolutism, Bodin defines +sovereignty as the 'absolute and perpetual power within a State.' +However, even Bodin was far from considering sovereignty to give +absolutely unfettered freedom of action, for he conceded that +sovereignty was restricted by the commandments of God and by the rules +of the Law of Nature. Be that as it may, this conception of sovereignty +once introduced was universally accepted; but at the same time the +meaning of the term became immediately a bone of contention between the +schools of publicists. And it is to be taken into consideration that the +science of politics has learnt to distinguish between sovereignty of +the State and sovereignty of the agents who exercise the sovereign +powers of the State. According to the modern view sovereignty is a +natural attribute of every independent State as a State; and neither the +monarch, nor Parliament, nor the people can possess any sovereignty of +their own. The sovereignty of a monarch, or of a Parliament, or of the +whole people is not an original attribute of their own, but derives from +the sovereignty of the State which is governed by them. It is outside +the scope of this lecture to give you a history of the conception of +sovereignty, it suffices to state the undeniable fact that from the time +when the term was first introduced into political science until the +present day there has never been unanimity with regard to its meaning, +except that it is a synonym for independence of all earthly authority. + +Now, do you believe that the independence of a State is really infringed +because it agrees never to make war on account of a judicial dispute, +and in case of a political dispute not to resort to arms before having +given opportunity of mediation to International Councils of +Conciliation? Independence is not boundless liberty of a State to do +what it likes, without any restriction whatever. The mere fact that +there is an International Law in existence restricts the unbounded +liberty of action of every civilised State, because every State is +prohibited from interfering with the affairs of every other State. The +fact is that the independence of every State finds its limitation in the +independence of every other State. And it is generally admitted that a +State can through conventions--such as a treaty of alliance or of +neutrality or others--enter into many obligations which more or less +restrict its liberty of action. Independence is a question of degree, +and, therefore, it is also a question of degree whether or no the +independence of a State is vitally encroached upon by a certain +restriction. In my opinion the independence of a State is as little +infringed by an agreement to submit all its judicial disputes to the +judgment of a Court and not to resort to arms for a settlement, as the +liberty of a citizen is infringed because in a modern State he can no +longer resort to arms on account of a dispute with a fellow citizen but +must submit it to the judgment of the Court. + +And even if it were otherwise, if the entrance of a State into the new +League of Nations did involve an infringement of its sovereignty and +independence, humanity need not grieve over it. The Prussian conception +of the State as an end in itself and of the authority of the State as +something above everything else and divine--a conception which found +support in the philosophy of Hegel and his followers--is adverse to the +ideal of democracy and constitutional government. Just as Henri IV of +France said 'La France vaut bien une messe,' we may well say 'La paix du +monde vaut bien la perte de l'indépendance de l'état.' + +XIV. I have come to the end of this course of lectures, but before we +part I should like, in conclusion, to touch upon a question which has +frequently been put with regard to the proposal of a new League of +Nations:--Can it really be expected that, in case of a great conflict of +interests, all the members of the League will faithfully carry out their +engagements? Will the new League stand the strain of such conflicts as +shake the very existence of States and Nations? Will the League really +stand the test of History? + +History teaches that many a State has entered into engagements with the +intention of faithfully carrying them out, but, when a grave conflict +arose, matters assumed a different aspect, with the consequence that the +engagements remained unfulfilled. Will it be different in the future? +Can the Powers which enter into the League of Nations trust to the +security which it promises? Can they be prepared to disarm, although +there is no guarantee that, when grave conflicts of vital interests +arise, all the members of the League will faithfully stand by their +engagements? + +These are questions which it is difficult to answer because no one can +look into the future. We can only say that, if really constitutional and +democratic government all the world over makes international politics +honest and reliable and excludes secret treaties, all the chances are +that the members of the League will see that their true interests and +their lasting welfare are intimately connected with the necessity of +fulfilling the obligations to which they have submitted by their +entrance into the League. The upheaval created by the present World War, +the many millions of lives sacrificed, and the enormous economic losses +suffered during these years of war, not only by the belligerents but +also by all neutrals, will be remembered for many generations to come. +It would therefore seem to be certain that, while the memory of these +losses in lives and wealth lasts, all the members of the League will +faithfully carry out the obligations connected with the membership of +the League into which they enter for the purpose of avoiding such a +disaster as, like a bolt from the blue, fell upon mankind by the +outbreak of the present war. On the other hand, I will not deny that no +one can guarantee the future; that conflicts may arise which will shake +the foundations of the League of Nations; that the League may fall to +pieces; and that a disaster like the present may again visit mankind. +Our generation can only do its best for the future, and it must be left +to succeeding generations to perpetuate the work initiated by us. + + + + +INDEX + + + Administration of Justice by International Courts, difficulties of, 62; + maintenance of tradition of, 67; + permanent institution for the, 61. + + Aims of the League of Nations defined, 23, 28, 35-36. + + Article 8 of the Hague Convention concerning the Pacific Settlement of + International Disputes, 70. + + Article 23(h) of the Hague Regulations concerning Land Warfare, 45-55; + controversy respecting interpretation of, 45; + correspondence respecting, with Foreign Office, 48-55. + + Autocratic Government, 11. + + + Belgium, 37, 66. + + Bodin, 76. + + Bonfils on Article 23(h) of the Hague Regulations concerning Land + Warfare, 49. + + Bordwell on Article 23(h) of the Hague Regulations concerning Land + Warfare, 50. + + British Empire, 13, 20. + + Bryan Peace Treaties, 71. + + Bryce, Lord, scheme of, 36. + + + Central Powers, the, are they to become members of the League of + Nations? 17, 36; + necessity for utter defeat of, 15, 37. + + Colonies, wars for the acquisition of, 10. + + Complex cases of dispute, how to settle, 68. + + Congress of Vienna, 30, 42. + + Constitutional Government, 10, 11; + necessity for, 19. + + Court of Appeal, International, 66, 67, 69; + manning of, 64. + + Court of Arbitration, establishment of International, 61. + + Court of First Instance, International, 64; + manning of, 66. + + Crucée, Emeric, 9. + + + Davis, General, on Article 23(h) of the Hague Regulations concerning + Land Warfare, 51. + + Democracy, 10, 11. + + Dickinson, scheme of Sir Willoughby, 36. + + Disarmament, 21, 74. + + Dubois, Pierre, 8. + + Dynastic wars, 10. + + + Engagements of the members of the League of Nations, security for + fulfilment of, 79. + + Equality, of States, 33, 39; + of the votes at Hague Peace Conferences, 38. + + + Family, the, a product of natural development, 10. + + Family of Nations, political hegemony of the Great Powers within the, 31. + + Federal World State, A, 18-20; + demanded by Pacifists, 31; + why not possible, 19. + + Foreign Office, letter of, to Professor Oppenheim concerning Article + 23(h), 52-55. + + + German Confederation, civil war within the, 32. + + German Weissbuch on Article 23(h) of the Hague Regulations concerning + Land Warfare, 51, 54, 55. + + Germany, is she to become a member of the League of Nations? 17, 36; + necessity for the utter defeat of, 15, 37. + + Great Powers, 30, 66; + power and influence of the, 29-31. + + Greece, city States of ancient, 7. + + Gregory on Article 23(h) of the Hague Regulations concerning Land + Warfare, 50. + + Grey, Earl, 5, 52, 53, 55. + + Grotians, the School of, 62. + + Grotius, Hugo, 9. + + + Hague Convention concerning the Pacific Settlement of International + Disputes, Article 8 of, 70. + + Hague Peace Conferences, 34; + method of legislating by, 45; + the work of, obstructed by some States, 38; + standing council of, proposed, 39; + starting point of organisation of League of Nations by, 36, 39; + votes of States of equal value at, 38. + + Hague Regulations concerning Land Warfare, controversy respecting + interpretation of Article 23(h) of, 45. + + Henry IV of France, 9, 78. + + Holland, Professor, on Article 23(h) of the Hague Regulations concerning + Land Warfare, 50. + + + Independence of States, what it is, 33, 77. + + International Army and Navy, why impossible, 6, 18, 20-22, 41. + + International Case Law, 64. + + International Council of Conciliation, 28, 40, 69; + scheme for the establishment of, 72-74; + starting points for, 70. + + International Court of Appeal, 66, 67; + a necessity, 63; + manning of, 64. + + International Court of First Instance, 64; + manning of proposed bench to serve as, 64. + + International Court of Justice, 18, 28, 65-68; + manning of, 65; + proposed permanent bench of, 65, 66; + proposed special benches of, for different cases, 66. + + International Courts, claims of all States in manning of, 64; + difficulties of manning of, 65; + precedents of, 64. + + International Executive, why impossible, 19, 41. + + International Government, why impossible, 19. + + International Law, a book law at present, 43; + and League of Nations interdependent, 6, 33; + complied with often without Courts, 60; + grew by custom during Middle Ages, 8; + not in being in antiquity, 6; + progress of, 33, 35, 38; + universal and general, difference between, 44. + + International Legislation, 38, 41-48; + a by-product only in the past, 42; + difficulties of, created by conflicting interests of States, 44; + difficulties of, created by different methods of interpretation and + construction, 45; + difficulties of, created by the fact that a majority vote cannot + create a statute, 44; + difficulties of, created by the language question, 43; + meaning of the term, 41; + possible even without International Courts, 42, 60; + possible only by agreement of all the States, 42; + wide field open for, 43. + + International Statutes, cannot be created by majority vote, 44; + interpretation and construction of, 45; + what are? 42. + + Internationalism, growth of, 12. + + + Law-making treaties, what are? 42. + + 'La France vaut bien une messe,' 78. + + League of Nations, 3, 8; + aims defined, 23, 28, 35-36; + and International Law interdependent, 6; + career in a sense started already, 8, 16; + conception of, very old, 6; + demand for, universal, 11; + impossibility of state-like organisation of, 36; + no unanimity concerning its aims or organisation, 18; + organisation of, demanded, 31; + problems connected with, 24, 28; + seven principles of, which ought to be adopted, 39-41; + so-called, but League of States is meant, 13; + starting point of organisation of, 33, 36, 39; + constitution _sui generis_ of, a necessity, 22, 33; + what is new in the now desired, 11; + when it would be an organised community, 11, 34. + + + Marini, Antoine, 8. + + Mediation, International. _See_ International Council of Conciliation. + + Militarism, conception of, 15; + Prussian, 16. + + + Nation, the, a product of historical development, 10, 14; + conception of, 13, 14; + not to be confounded with race, 13-14. + + Nations, not to be confounded with States, 13, 14. + + Nationality, principle of, 14, 32. + + 'Natura non facit saltus,' 5. + + Naturalists, the School of, 62. + + + Oppenheim, letter of Foreign Office concerning Article 23(h) of the + Hague Regulations to Professor, 52-55. + + + Pacifists, 31. + + Parliament, International, why impossible, 18, 19. + + Permanent Court of Arbitration, International, 34; + establishment of, by the First Peace Conference, 61. + + Permanent International Commissions of the Bryan Peace Treaties, 71. + + Podiebrad, 8. + + Police, International, 6, 41. + + Politis on Article 23(h) of the Hague Regulations concerning Land + Warfare, 49, 55. + + Porter _v._ Freundenberg, case of, 47. + + Positivists, the School of, 62. + + Precedents of International Courts, 66. + + Principle of Nationality, 14, 32. + + Prize Court, International, proposed by Second Peace Conference, 34. + + + Quis custodiet ipsos custodes? 21. + + + Race, a product of natural development, 10; + not to be confounded with Nation, 13, 14. + + Rebus sic stantibus, proposal for dealing with the clause, 69. + + Religion, wars of, 10. + + + Sovereignty, conception of, 75; + not surrendered by entrance into the League of Nations, 74, 75, 78. + + State, ideal of the national, 14. + + States of the World, the 25 Allied belligerent and the 17 neutral, 16-17. + + Statutes, difference between International and Municipal, 42. + + Sully, 9. + + Swiss Confederation, civil war within the, 32. + + Switzerland, 13. + + + Taft, Ex-President, 5. + + Transoceanic States, entrance into League of Nations of, 38. + + Tribe, the, a product of natural development, 10. + + + Ubi societas ibi jus, 8. + + Ullmann, on Article 23(h) of the Hague Regulations concerning Land + Warfare, 50. + + United States, civil war in the, 32. + + + Vienna Congress, the, 30, 42. + + Votes, equality of, at Hague Peace Conferences, 38. + + + Wars for national unity, 10. + + Wehberg on Article 23(h) of the Hague Regulations concerning Land + Warfare, 50. + + Whewell, Dr., 4. + + Whittuck on Article 23(h) of the Hague Regulations concerning Land + Warfare, 50. + + Wilson, President, 5. + + World Federation, a demand of Pacifists, 31. + + + + + AT THE BALLANTYNE PRESS + PRINTED BY SPOTTISWOODE, BALLANTYNE AND CO. LTD. + COLCHESTER, LONDON AND ETON, ENGLAND + + + + +Transcriber's Note: + + Minor typographical errors have been corrected without note. Variant + spellings have been retained. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The League of Nations and its Problems + Three Lectures + +Author: Lassa Oppenheim + +Release Date: July 10, 2008 [EBook #26023] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LEAGUE OF NATIONS, ITS PROBLEMS *** + + + + +Produced by Stephen Blundell and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was +produced from images generously made available by The +Internet Archive/Canadian Libraries) + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<p class="center"><big>CONTRIBUTIONS TO INTERNATIONAL LAW +AND DIPLOMACY</big></p> + +<p class="center">Edited by <span class="smcap">L. Oppenheim</span>, M.A., LL.D.</p> + +<p class="p1"><small>Membre de l'Institut de Droit International,<br /> +Whewell Professor of International Law in the University of Cambridge,<br /> +Honorary Member of the Royal Academy of Jurisprudence at Madrid,<br /> +Corresponding Member of the American Institute of International Law.</small></p> + +<h1><small>THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS<br /> +AND ITS PROBLEMS</small></h1> + +<hr /> +<div class="bk1"><p class="center"><b>CONTRIBUTIONS TO INTERNATIONAL<br /> +LAW AND DIPLOMACY.</b></p> + +<p class="p2">Edited by <span class="smcap">L. Oppenheim</span>, M.A., LL.D., +Whewell Professor of International Law in +the University of Cambridge.</p> + +<p class="p2">A GUIDE TO DIPLOMATIC PRACTICE. +By the Right Hon. Sir <span class="smcap">Ernest Satow</span>, +G.C.M.G., LL.D., D.C.L., formerly +Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary. +2 Volumes. 8vo. 30<i>s.</i> net.</p> + +<p class="p2">INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS AND +THIRD STATES. A Monograph. By +<span class="smcap">Ronald F. Roxburgh</span>, of the Middle +Temple, Barrister-at-Law; formerly Whewell +International Law Scholar in the +University of Cambridge; formerly Scholar +of Trinity College, Cambridge. 8vo. 7<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> +net.</p> + +<p class="center">LONGMANS, GREEN AND CO.,<br /> +London, New York, Bombay, Calcutta, and Madras.</p></div> + +<hr /> + +<h1>THE<br /> +<big>LEAGUE OF NATIONS</big><br /> +AND ITS PROBLEMS</h1> + +<p class="p3">THREE LECTURES</p> + +<h2><span class="fsm">BY</span><br /> +L. OPPENHEIM, M.A., LL.D.</h2> + +<p class="p1"><small>WHEWELL PROFESSOR OF INTERNATIONAL LAW IN THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE<br /> +MEMBRE DE L'INSTITUT DE DROIT INTERNATIONAL. HONORARY MEMBER OF<br /> +THE ROYAL ACADEMY OF JURISPRUDENCE AT MADRID, CORRESPONDING<br /> +MEMBER OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF<br /> +INTERNATIONAL LAW</small></p> + +<p class="p1"><i><span class="sp1">Festina lente</span></i></p> + +<p class="center">LONGMANS, GREEN AND CO.<br /> +<small>39 PATERNOSTER ROW, LONDON</small><br /> +<span class="fsxs">FOURTH AVENUE & 30<span class="smcap">TH</span> STREET, NEW YORK,<br /> +BOMBAY, CALCUTTA, AND MADRAS.</span><br /> +<small>1919</small><br /></p> + +<hr /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_v" id="Page_v">[v]</a></span></p> +<h2>PREFACE</h2> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> three lectures collected in this volume were +prepared without any intention of publication. +They were delivered for the purpose of drawing +attention to the links which connect the proposal +for a League of Nations with the past, to the difficulties +which stand in the way of the realisation +of the proposal, and to some schemes by which +these difficulties might be overcome. When it +was suggested that the lectures should be brought +before the public at large by being issued in book +form I hesitated, because I was doubtful whether +the academic method natural to a University lecture +would be suitable to a wider public. After consideration, +however, I came to the conclusion that +their publication might be useful, because the +lectures attempt to show how the development +initiated by the two Hague Peace Conferences could +be continued by turning the movement for a League +of Nations into the road of progress that these +Conferences opened.</p> + +<p>Professional International lawyers do not share +the belief that the outbreak of the World War and +its, in many ways, lawless and atrocious conduct +have proved the futility of the work of the Hague +Conferences. Throughout these anxious years we +have upheld the opinion that the progress initiated<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_vi" id="Page_vi">[vi]</a></span> +at the Hague has by no means been swept away +by the attitude of lawlessness deliberately—'because +necessity knows no law'—taken up by Germany, +provided only that she should be utterly defeated, +and should be compelled to atone and make ample +reparation for the many cruel wrongs which cry +to Heaven. While I am writing these lines, there +is happily no longer any doubt that this condition +will be fulfilled. We therefore believe that, after +the map of Europe has been redrawn by the +coming Peace Congress, the third Conference ought +to assemble at the Hague for the purpose of +establishing the demanded League of Nations and +supplying it with the rudiments of an organisation.</p> + +<p>How this could be accomplished in a very simple +way the following three lectures attempt to show. +They likewise offer some very slight outlines of a +scheme for setting up International Councils of +Conciliation as well as an International Court of +Justice comprising a number of Benches. I would +ask the reader kindly to take these very lightly +outlined schemes for what they are worth. Whatever +may be their defects they indicate a way out +of some of the great difficulties which beset the +realisation of the universal demand for International +Councils of Conciliation and an International Court +of Justice.</p> + +<p>It is well known that several of the allied Governments +have appointed Committees to study the +problem of a League of Nations and to prepare a +scheme which could be put before the coming Peace +Congress. But unless all, or at any rate all the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_vii" id="Page_vii">[vii]</a></span> +more important, neutral States are represented, +it will be impossible for an all-embracing League +of Nations to be created by that Congress; although +a scheme could well be adopted which would keep +the door open for all civilised States. However, +until all these States have actually been received +within the charmed circle, the League will not be +complete nor its aims fully realised. Whatever +the coming Peace Congress may be able to achieve +with regard to a scheme for the establishment of +the League of Nations, another—the third—Hague +Peace Conference will be needed to set it going.</p> + +<p class="author">L. OPPENHEIM.</p> + +<p><small>P.S.—While this Preface and volume were going through +the Press, Austria-Hungary and Germany surrendered, and +unprecedented revolutions broke out which swept the +Hapsburg, the Hohenzollern, and all the other German +dynasties away. No one can foresee what will be the +ultimate fate and condition of those two once mighty +empires. It is obvious that, had the first and second +lectures been delivered after these stirring events took place, +some of the views to be found therein expressed would +have been modified or differently expressed. I may ask +the reader kindly to keep this in mind while reading the +following pages. However, the general bearing of the arguments, +and the proposals for the organisation of the League +of Nations and the establishment of an International Court +of Justice and International Councils of Conciliation, are +in no way influenced by these later events.</small></p> + +<hr /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_viii" id="Page_viii">[viii]</a></span></p> +<h2>CONTENTS</h2> + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary=""> + +<tr class="tr1"><td class="td1"><big>FIRST LECTURE: THE AIMS OF THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS</big></td><td class="td2"><small>PAGE</small><br /><a href="#Page_1">1</a></td></tr> + +<tr class="tr2"><td class="td1">I. The purpose of the three Lectures is to draw attention to +the links which connect the proposed League of Nations with +the past, to the difficulties involved in the proposal, and to the +way in which they can be overcome</td><td class="td2"><a href="#Page_4">4</a></td></tr> + +<tr class="tr2"><td class="td1">II. The conception of a League of Nations is not new, but is +as old as International Law, because any kind of International +Law and some kind of a League of Nations are interdependent +and correlative</td><td class="td2"><a href="#Page_6">6</a></td></tr> + +<tr class="tr2"><td class="td1">III. During antiquity no International Law in the modern +sense of the term was possible, because the common interests +which could force a number of independent States into a Community +of States were lacking</td><td class="td2"><a href="#Page_6">6</a></td></tr> + +<tr class="tr2"><td class="td1">IV. But during the second part of the Middle Ages matters +began to change. During the fifteenth, sixteenth and +seventeenth centuries an International Law, and with it a +kind of League of Nations, became a necessity and therefore +grew by custom. At the same time arose the first schemes for +a League of Nations guaranteeing permanent peace, namely +those of Pierre Dubois (1305), Antoine Marini (1461), Sully +(1603), and Emeric Crucée (1623). Hugo Grotius' immortal +work on 'The Law of War and Peace' (1625)</td><td class="td2"><a href="#Page_7">7</a></td></tr> + +<tr class="tr2"><td class="td1">V. The League of Nations thus evolved by custom could not +undertake to prevent war; the conditions prevailing up to the +outbreak of the French Revolution made it impossible; it +was only during the nineteenth century that the principle +of nationality made growth</td><td class="td2"><a href="#Page_9">9</a></td></tr> + +<tr class="tr2"><td class="td1"><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_ix" id="Page_ix">[ix]</a></span>VI. The outbreak of the present World War is epoch-making +because it is at bottom a fight between the principle of democratic +and constitutional government and the principle of +militarism and autocratic government. The three new points +in the present demand for a League of Nations</td><td class="td2"><a href="#Page_11">11</a></td></tr> + +<tr class="tr2"><td class="td1">VII. How and why the peremptory demand for a new +League of Nations arose, and its connection with so-called +Internationalism</td><td class="td2"><a href="#Page_11">11</a></td></tr> + +<tr class="tr2"><td class="td1">VIII. The League of Nations now aimed at is not really a +League of Nations but of States. The ideal of the national +State</td><td class="td2"><a href="#Page_13">13</a></td></tr> + +<tr class="tr2"><td class="td1">IX. The two reasons why the establishment of a new League +of Nations is conditioned by the utter defeat of the Central +Powers</td><td class="td2"><a href="#Page_15">15</a></td></tr> + +<tr class="tr2"><td class="td1">X. Why—in a sense—the new League of Nations may be +said to have already started its career</td><td class="td2"><a href="#Page_16">16</a></td></tr> + +<tr class="tr2"><td class="td1">XI. The impossibility of the demand that the new League +of Nations should create a Federal World State</td><td class="td2"><a href="#Page_18">18</a></td></tr> + +<tr class="tr2"><td class="td1">XII. The demand for an International Army and Navy</td><td class="td2"><a href="#Page_20">20</a></td></tr> + +<tr class="tr2"><td class="td1">XIII. The new League of Nations cannot give itself a constitution +of a state-like character, but only one <i>sui generis</i> +on very simple lines</td><td class="td2"><a href="#Page_22">22</a></td></tr> + +<tr class="tr2"><td class="td1">XIV. The three aims of the new League of Nations, and the +four problems to be faced and solved in order to make possible +the realisation of these aims</td><td class="td2"><a href="#Page_23">23</a></td></tr> + +<tr class="tr1"><td class="td1"><big>SECOND LECTURE: ORGANISATION AND LEGISLATION OF THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS</big></td><td class="td2"><a href="#Page_25">25</a></td></tr> + +<tr class="tr2"><td class="td1">I. The Community of civilised States, the at present existing +League of Nations, is a community without any organisation, +although there are plenty of legal rules for the intercourse +of the several States one with another</td><td class="td2"><a href="#Page_28">28</a></td></tr> + +<tr class="tr2"><td class="td1">II. The position of the Great Powers within the Community +of States is a mere political fact not based on Law</td><td class="td2"><a href="#Page_29">29</a></td></tr> + +<tr class="tr2"><td class="td1"><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_x" id="Page_x">[x]</a></span>III. The pacifistic demand or a Federal World State in +order to make the abolition of war a possibility</td><td class="td2"><a href="#Page_31">31</a></td></tr> + +<tr class="tr2"><td class="td1">IV. Every attempt at organising the desired new League +of Nations must start from, and keep intact, the independence +and equality of the several States, with the consequence that +the establishment of a central political authority above the +sovereign States is an impossibility</td><td class="td2"><a href="#Page_32">32</a></td></tr> + +<tr class="tr2"><td class="td1">V. The development of an organisation of the Community of +States began before the outbreak of the World War and is to be +found in the establishment of the Permanent Court of Arbitration +at the Hague by the First Hague Peace Conference of 1899. +But more steps will be necessary to turn the hitherto unorganised +Community of States into an organised League of +Nations</td><td class="td2"><a href="#Page_34">34</a></td></tr> + +<tr class="tr2"><td class="td1">VI. The organisation of the desired new League of Nations +should start from the beginning made by the Hague Peace +Conferences, and the League should therefore include all the +independent civilised States</td><td class="td2"><a href="#Page_35">35</a></td></tr> + +<tr class="tr2"><td class="td1">VII. The objection to the reception of the Central Powers, +and of Germany especially, into the League</td><td class="td2"><a href="#Page_36">36</a></td></tr> + +<tr class="tr2"><td class="td1">VIII. The objection to the reception of the minor transoceanic +States into the League</td><td class="td2"><a href="#Page_38">38</a></td></tr> + +<tr class="tr2"><td class="td1">IX. The seven principles which ought to be accepted with +regard to the organisation of the new League of Nations</td><td class="td2"><a href="#Page_39">39</a></td></tr> + +<tr class="tr2"><td class="td1">X. The organisation of the League of Nations is not an end +in itself but only a means of attaining three objects, the first of +which is International Legislation. The meaning of the term +'International Legislation' in contradistinction to Municipal +Legislation. International Legislation in the past and in the +future</td><td class="td2"><a href="#Page_41">41</a></td></tr> + +<tr class="tr2"><td class="td1">XI. The difficulty in the way of International Legislation +on account of the language question</td><td class="td2"><a href="#Page_43">43</a></td></tr> + +<tr class="tr2"><td class="td1">XII. The difficulty created by the conflicting national +interests of the several States</td><td class="td2"><a href="#Page_44">44</a></td></tr> + +<tr class="tr2"><td class="td1"><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_xi" id="Page_xi">[xi]</a></span>XIII. The difficulty caused by the fact that International +Statutes cannot be created by a majority vote of the States. +The difference between universal and general International +Law offers a way out</td><td class="td2"><a href="#Page_44">44</a></td></tr> + +<tr class="tr2"><td class="td1">XIV. The difficulty created by the fact that there are as +yet no universally recognised rules concerning interpretation +and construction of International Statutes and ordinary Conventions. +The notorious Article 23(h) of the Hague Regulations +concerning Land Warfare</td><td class="td2"><a href="#Page_45">45</a></td></tr> + +<tr class="tr2"><td class="td1"><i>Appendix</i>: Correspondence with the Foreign Office respecting +the Interpretation of Article 23(h) of the Hague +Regulations concerning Land Warfare</td><td class="td2"><a href="#Page_48">48</a></td></tr> + +<tr class="tr1"><td class="td1"><big>THIRD LECTURE: ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE AND MEDIATION WITHIN THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS</big></td><td class="td2"><a href="#Page_57">57</a></td></tr> + +<tr class="tr2"><td class="td1">I. Administration of Justice within the League is a question +of International Courts, but it is incorrect to assert that International +Legislation necessitates the existence of International +Courts</td><td class="td2"><a href="#Page_60">60</a></td></tr> + +<tr class="tr2"><td class="td1">II. The Permanent Court of Arbitration created by the +First Hague Peace Conference</td><td class="td2"><a href="#Page_61">61</a></td></tr> + +<tr class="tr2"><td class="td1">III. The difficulties connected with International Administration +of Justice by International Courts</td><td class="td2"><a href="#Page_62">62</a></td></tr> + +<tr class="tr2"><td class="td1">IV. The necessity for a Court of Appeal above the International +Court of First Instance</td><td class="td2"><a href="#Page_63">63</a></td></tr> + +<tr class="tr2"><td class="td1">V. The difficulties connected with the setting up and +manning of International Courts of Justice</td><td class="td2"><a href="#Page_64">64</a></td></tr> + +<tr class="tr2"><td class="td1">VI. Details of a scheme which recommends itself because +it distinguishes between the Court as a whole and the several +Benches which would be called upon to decide the cases</td><td class="td2"><a href="#Page_65">65</a></td></tr> + +<tr class="tr2"><td class="td1">VII. The advantages of the recommended scheme</td><td class="td2"><a href="#Page_67">67</a></td></tr> + +<tr class="tr2"><td class="td1">VIII. A necessary provision for so-called complex cases of +dispute</td><td class="td2"><a href="#Page_68">68</a></td></tr> + +<tr class="tr2"><td class="td1">IX. A necessary provision with regard to the notorious +clause <i>rebus sic stantibus</i></td><td class="td2"><a href="#Page_69">69</a><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_xii" id="Page_xii">[xii]</a></span></td></tr> + +<tr class="tr2"><td class="td1">X. The two starting points for a satisfactory proposal +concerning International Mediation by International Councils +of Conciliation. Article 8 of the Hague Convention concerning +Pacific Settlement of International Disputes. The +Permanent International Commissions of the Bryan Peace +Treaties</td><td class="td2"><a href="#Page_70">70</a></td></tr> + +<tr class="tr2"><td class="td1">XI. Details of a scheme which recommends itself for the +establishment of International Councils of Conciliation</td><td class="td2"><a href="#Page_72">72</a></td></tr> + +<tr class="tr2"><td class="td1">XII. The question of disarmament</td><td class="td2"><a href="#Page_74">74</a></td></tr> + +<tr class="tr2"><td class="td1">XIII. The assertion that States renounce their sovereignty +by entering into the League</td><td class="td2"><a href="#Page_75">75</a></td></tr> + +<tr class="tr2"><td class="td1">XIV. Conclusion: Can it be expected that, in case of a +great conflict of interests, all the members of the League will +faithfully carry out their engagements?</td><td class="td2"><a href="#Page_78">78</a></td></tr> + +<tr class="tr1"><td class="td1"><span class="smcap">Alphabetical Index</span></td><td class="td2"><a href="#Page_81">81</a></td></tr> +</table></div> + +<hr /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[1]</a></span></p> +<h2><span class="smcap">First Lecture</span><br /> +THE AIMS OF THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS</h2> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[3]</a></span></p> +<h3>SYNOPSIS</h3> + +<div class="fss"><p>I. The purpose of the three Lectures is to draw attention to the +links which connect the proposed League of Nations with the past, +to the difficulties involved in the proposal, and to the way in which +they can be overcome.</p> + +<p>II. The conception of a League of Nations is not new, but is +as old as International Law, because any kind of International +Law and some kind of a League of Nations are interdependent +and correlative.</p> + +<p>III. During antiquity no International Law in the modern sense +of the term was possible, because the common interests which could +force a number of independent States into a community of States +were lacking.</p> + +<p>IV. But during the second part of the Middle Ages matters +began to change. During the fifteenth, sixteenth, and seventeenth +centuries an International Law, and with it a kind of League +of Nations, became a necessity and therefore grew by custom. At +the same time arose the first schemes for a League of Nations +guaranteeing permanent peace, namely those of Pierre Dubois +(1305), Antoine Marini (1461), Sully (1603), and Emeric Crucée +(1623). Hugo Grotius' immortal work on 'The Law of War and +Peace' (1625).</p> + +<p>V. The League of Nations thus evolved by custom could not +undertake to prevent wars; the conditions prevailing up to the outbreak +of the French Revolution made it impossible; it was only +during the nineteenth century that the principle of nationality +made growth.</p> + +<p>VI. The outbreak of the present World War is epoch-making +because it is at bottom a fight between the principle of democratic +and constitutional government and the principle of militarism and +autocratic government. The three new points in the present demand +for a League of Nations.</p> + +<p>VII. How and why the peremptory demand for a new League +of Nations arose, and its connection with so-called Internationalism.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[4]</a></span></p> + +<p>VIII. The League of Nations now aimed at is not really a League +of Nations but of States. The ideal of the National State.</p> + +<p>IX. The two reasons why the establishment of a new League +of Nations is conditioned by the utter defeat of the Central Powers.</p> + +<p>X. Why—in a sense—the new League of Nations may be said +to have already started its career.</p> + +<p>XI. The impossibility of the demand that the new League of +Nations should create a Federal World State.</p> + +<p>XII. The demand for an International Army and Navy.</p> + +<p>XIII. The new League of Nations cannot give itself a constitution +of a state-like character, but only one <i>sui generis</i> on very simple +lines.</p> + +<p>XIV. The three aims of the new League of Nations, and the +four problems to be faced and solved in order to make possible the +realisation of these aims.</p></div> + +<h3>THE LECTURE</h3> + +<p>I. Dr. Whewell, the founder of the Chair of International +Law which I have the honour to occupy +in this University, laid the injunction upon every +holder of the Chair that he should 'make it his +aim,' in all parts of his treatment of the subject, +'to lay down such rules and suggest such measures +as may tend to diminish the evils of war and finally +to extinguish war between nations.' It is to comply +with the spirit, if not with the letter, of this injunction +that I have announced the series of three +lectures on a League of Nations. The present is +the first, and in it I propose to treat of the Aims +of the League. But, before I enter into a discussion +of these aims, I should like to point out that I have +no intention of dealing with the question whether +or no a League of Nations should be founded at +all. To my mind, and probably to the minds of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[5]</a></span> +most of you here, this question has been satisfactorily +answered by the leading politicians of all +parties and all countries since ex-President Taft +put it soon after the outbreak of the World War; +it suffices to mention Earl Grey in Great Britain +and President Wilson in America. In giving these +lectures I propose to draw your attention, on the +one hand, to the links which connect the proposal +for a League of Nations with the past, and, on the +other hand, to the difficulties with which the realisation +of the proposal must necessarily be attended; +and also to the ways in which, in my opinion, these +difficulties can be overcome.</p> + +<p>There is an old adage which says <i>Natura non +facit saltus</i>, Nature takes no leaps. Everything in +Nature develops gradually, step by step, and +organically. It is, at any rate as a rule, the same +with History. History in most cases takes no leaps, +but if exceptionally History does take a leap, there +is great danger of a bad slip backwards following. +We must be on our guard lest the proposed League +of Nations should take a leap in the dark, and +the realisation of proposals be attempted which +are so daring and so entirely out of keeping with +the historical development of International Law +and the growth of the Society of Nations, that there +would be great danger of the whole scheme collapsing +and the whole movement coming to naught.</p> + +<p>The movement for a League of Nations is sound, +for its purpose is to secure a more lasting peace +amongst the nations of the world than has hitherto +prevailed. But a number of schemes to realise this<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[6]</a></span> +purpose have been published which in my opinion +go much too far because they comprise proposals +which are not realisable in our days. You know +that not only an International Court of Justice +and an International Council of Conciliation have +been proposed, but also some kind of International +Government, some kind of International Parliament, +an International Executive, and even an +International Army and Navy—a so-called International +Police—by the help of which the International +Government could guarantee the condition +of permanent peace in the world.</p> + +<p>II. You believe no doubt, because nearly everyone +believes it, that the conception of a League of +Nations is something quite new. Yet this is not +the case, although there is something new in the +present conception, something which did not exist +previously. The conception of a League of Nations +is very old, is indeed as old as modern International +Law, namely about four hundred years. International +Law could not have come into existence +without at the same time calling into existence a +League of Nations. <i>Any kind of an International +Law and some kind or other of a League of Nations +are interdependent and correlative.</i> This assertion +possibly surprises you, and I must therefore say a +few words concerning the origin of modern International +Law in order to make matters clear.</p> + +<p>III. In ancient times no International Law in +the modern sense of the term existed. It is true +there existed rules of religion and of law concerning +international relations, and ambassadors and heralds<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[7]</a></span> +were everywhere considered sacrosanct. But these +rules were not rules of an <i>International</i> Law, they +were either religious rules or rules which were part +of the Municipal Law of the several States. For +instance: the Romans had very detailed rules +concerning their relations with other States in time +of peace and war; but these were rules of Roman +law, not rules of the law of other countries, and +certainly not <i>international</i> rules.</p> + +<p>Now what was the reason that antiquity did not +know of any International Law?</p> + +<p>The reason was that between the several independent +States of antiquity no such intimate intercourse +arose and no such common views existed as +to necessitate a law between them. Only between +the several city States of ancient Greece arose some +kind of what we should now call 'International +Law,' because these city States formed a Community +fostered by the same language, the same civilisation, +the same religion, the same general ideas, and by +constant commercial and other intercourse. On +the other hand, the Roman Empire was a world +empire, it gradually absorbed all the independent +nations in the West. And when the Roman Empire +fell to pieces in consequence of the migration of the +peoples, the old civilisation came to an end, international +commerce and intercourse ceased almost +entirely, and it was not till towards the end of the +Middle Ages that matters began to change.</p> + +<p>IV. During the second part of the Middle Ages +more and more independent States arose on the +European continent, and during the fifteenth and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[8]</a></span> +sixteenth centuries the necessity for a Law of Nations +made itself felt. A multitude of Sovereign States +had now established themselves which, although +they were absolutely independent of one another, +were knitted together by constant commercial and +other intercourse, by a common religion, and by +the same moral principles. Gradually and almost +unconsciously the conviction had grown upon these +independent States that, in spite of everything +which separated them, they formed a Community +the intercourse of which was ruled by certain legal +principles. International Law grew out of custom +because it was a necessity according to the well-known +rule <i>ubi societas ibi jus</i>, where there is a +community of interests there must be law. The +several independent States had thus gradually and +unconsciously formed themselves into a Society, +the afterwards so-called Family of Nations, or, in +other words, a League of Nations.</p> + +<p>And no sooner had this League of Nations come +into existence—and even some time before that +date—than a number of schemes for the establishment +of eternal peace made their appearance.</p> + +<p>The first of these schemes was that of the French +lawyer <i>Pierre Dubois</i>, who, as early as 1305, in his +work 'De recuperatione terre sancte,' proposed an +alliance between all Christian Powers for the purpose +of the maintenance of peace and the establishment +of a permanent Court of Arbitration for the settlement +of differences between members of the alliance.</p> + +<p>Another was that of <i>Antoine Marini</i>, the Chancellor +of Podiebrad, King of Bohemia, who adopted the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span> +scheme in 1461. This scheme proposed the foundation +of a Federal State to comprise all the existing +Christian States and the establishment of a permanent +Congress to be seated at Basle in Switzerland, this +Congress to be the highest organ of the Federation.</p> + +<p>A third scheme was that of <i>Sully</i>, adopted by +Henri IV of France, which, in 1603, proposed the +division of Europe into fifteen States and the linking +together of these into a Federation with a General +Council as its highest organ.</p> + +<p>And a fourth scheme was that of <i>Emeric Crucée</i>, +who, in 1623, proposed the establishment of a Union +consisting not only of the Christian States but of +all States of the world, with a General Council seated +at Venice.</p> + +<p>And since that time many other schemes of similar +kind have made their appearance, the enumeration +and discussion of which is outside our present purpose. +So much is certain that all these schemes +were Utopian. Nevertheless, a League of Nations +having once come into existence, International Law +grew more and more, and when in 1625 Hugo Grotius +published his immortal work on 'The Law of War +and Peace,' the system of International Law offered +in his work conquered the world and became the +basis of all following development.</p> + +<p>V. However, although a League of Nations must +be said to have been in existence for about 400 +years, because no International Law would have +been possible without it, this League of Nations +could not, and was not intended to, prevent war +between its members. I say: it could not prevent<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span> +war. Why not? It could not prevent war on +account of the conditions which prevailed within +the international society from the Middle Ages till, +say, the outbreak of the present war. These conditions +are intimately connected with the growth +of the several States of Europe.</p> + +<p>Whereas the family, the tribe, and the race are +natural products, the nation as well as the State are +products of historical development. All nations are +blends of more or less different races, and all States +were originally founded on force: strong rulers +subjected neighbouring tribes and peoples to their +sway and thus formed coherent nations. Most +of the States in Europe are the product of the +activity of strong dynasties which through war +and conquest, and through marriage and purchase, +united under one sovereign the lands which form +the States and the peoples which form the nations. +Up to the time of the French Revolution, throughout +the sixteenth, seventeenth, and eighteenth +centuries, all wars were either wars of religion, or +dynastic wars fought for the increase of the territory +under the sway of the dynasties concerned, or so-called +colonial wars fought for the acquisition of +transoceanic colonies. It was not till the nineteenth +century that wars for the purpose of national +unity broke out, and dynastic wars began gradually +to disappear. During the nineteenth century the +nations, so to say, found themselves; some kind of +constitutional government was everywhere introduced; +and democracy became the ideal, although +it was by no means everywhere realised.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span></p> + +<p>VI. It is for this reason that the outbreak of the +present war is epoch-making, because it has become +apparent that, whatever may be the war aims of +the belligerents, at bottom this World War is a +fight between the ideal of democracy and constitutional +government on the one hand, and autocratic +government and militarism on the other. +Everywhere the conviction has become prevalent +that things cannot remain as they were before the +outbreak of the present war, and therefore the +demand for a League of Nations, or—I had better +say—for a new League of Nations to take the place +of that which has been in existence for about 400 +years, has arisen.</p> + +<p>Now what is new in the desired new League of +Nations?</p> + +<p>Firstly, this new League would be founded upon +a solemn treaty, whereas the League of Nations +hitherto was only based upon custom.</p> + +<p>Secondly, for the purpose of making war rarer +or of abolishing it altogether, this new League +of Nations would enact the rule that no State is +allowed to resort to arms without previously having +submitted the dispute to an International Court or +a Council of Conciliation.</p> + +<p>Thirdly, this new League of Nations would be +compelled to create some kind of organisation for +itself, because otherwise it could not realise its +purpose to make war rarer or abolish it altogether.</p> + +<p>VII. The demand for a new League of Nations +is universal, for it is made, not only everywhere +in the allied countries, but in the countries of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span> +Central Powers, and it will surely be realised when +the war is over, at any rate to a certain extent. It +is for this reason that the present World War has +not only not destroyed so-called Internationalism, +but has done more for it than many years of peace +could have done.</p> + +<p>What is Internationalism?</p> + +<p>Internationalism is the conviction that all the +civilised States form one Community throughout +the world in spite of the various factors which +separate the nations from one another; the conviction +that the interests of all the nations and States +are indissolubly interknitted, and that, therefore, +the Family of Nations must establish international +institutions for the purpose of guaranteeing a more +general and a more lasting peace than existed in +former times. Internationalism had made great +strides during the second part of the nineteenth +century on account of the enormous development +of international commerce and international communication +favoured by railways, the steamship, +the telegraph, and a great many scientific discoveries +and technical inventions. But what a disturbing +and destroying factor war really is, had not become +fully apparent till the present war, because this is a +<i>world</i> war which interferes almost as much with the +welfare of neutrals as with the welfare of belligerents. +It has become apparent during the present war that +the discoveries and developments of science and +technology, which had done so much during the +second half of the nineteenth century for the material +welfare of the human race during peace, were likewise<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span> +at the disposal of belligerents for an enormous, +and hitherto unthought-of, destruction of life and +wealth. It is for this reason that in the camp of +friend and foe, among neutrals as well as among +belligerents, the conviction has become universal +that the conditions of international life prevailing +before the outbreak of the World War must be +altered; that international institutions must be +established which will make the outbreak of war, +if not impossible, at any rate only an exceptional +possibility. The demand for a new League of +Nations has thus arisen and peremptorily requires +fulfilment.</p> + +<p>VIII. However, in considering the demand for +a new League of Nations, it is necessary to avoid +confusing nations with States. It should always +be remembered that, when we speak of a League of +Nations, we do not really mean a League of Nations +but a League of States. It is true that there are +many States in existence which in the main are +made up of one nation, although fractions of other +nations may be comprised in them. But it is equally +true that there are some States in existence which +include members of several nations. Take as an +example Switzerland which, although only a very +small State, nevertheless comprises three national +elements, namely German, French, and Italian. +Another example is the British Empire, which is a +world empire and comprises a number of different +nations.</p> + +<p>That leads me to the question: What is a nation?</p> + +<p>A nation must not be confounded with a race.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span> +A nation is a product of historical development, +whereas a race is a product of natural growth. One +speaks of a nation when a complex body of human +beings is united by living in the same land, by +the same language, the same literature, the same +historical traditions, and the same general views of +life. All nations are a mixture of several diverse +racial elements which in the course of historical +development have to a certain extent been united +by force of circumstances. The Swiss as a people +are politically a nation, although the component +parts of the population of Switzerland are of different +national characters and even speak different +languages. Historical development in general, and +in many cases force in particular, have played a +great part in the blending of diverse racial elements +into nations; just as they have played a great part +in the building up of States. The demand that +every nation should have a separate State of its +own—the ideal of the so-called national State—appears +very late in history; it is a product of the +last two centuries, and it was not till the second half +of the nineteenth century that the so-called principle +of nationality made its appearance and gained great +influence. It may well be doubted whether each +nation, be it ever so small, will succeed in establishing +a separate State of its own, although where +national consciousness becomes overwhelmingly +strong, it will probably in every case succeed in +time either in establishing a State of its own, or at +any rate in gaining autonomy. Be that as it may, +it is a question for the future; so much is certain,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span> +what is intended now to be realised, is not a League +of Nations, but a League of States, although it is +called a League of Nations.</p> + +<p>IX. However, no League of Nations is possible +unless the Central Powers, and Germany in especial, +are utterly defeated during the World War, and +that for two reasons.</p> + +<p>One reason is that a great alteration of the map +of Europe is an absolutely necessary condition for +the satisfactory working of a League of Nations. +Unless an independent Poland be established; unless +the problem of Alsace-Lorraine be solved; unless +the Trentino be handed over to Italy; unless the +Yugo-Slavs be united with Servia; unless the +Czecho-Slovaks be freed from the Austrian yoke; +and unless the problem of Turkey and the Turkish +Straits be solved, no lasting peace can be expected +in Europe, even if a League of Nations be established.</p> + +<p>The other reason is that, unless Germany be +utterly defeated, the spirit of militarism, which is +not compatible with a League of Nations, will remain +a menace to the world.</p> + +<p>What is militarism? It is that conception of the +State which bases the power of the State, its influence, +its progress, and its development exclusively on +military force. The consequence is that war becomes +part of the settled policy of a militarist State; the +acquisition of further territory and population by +conquest is continually before the eyes of such a +Government; and the condition of peace is only a +shorter or longer interval between periods of war.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span> +A military State submits to International Law only +so long as it serves its interests, but violates International +Law, and particularly International Law +concerning war, wherever and whenever this law +stands in the way of its military aims. The whole +history of Prussia exemplifies this. Now in a League +of Nations peace must be the normal condition. +If war occurs at all within such a League, it can +only be an exceptional phase and must be only for +the purpose of re-establishing peace. It is true a +League of Nations will not be able entirely to dispense +with military force, yet such force appears +only in the background as an <i>ultima ratio</i> to be applied +against such Power as refuses to submit its +disagreements with other members of the League +either to an International Court of Justice or an +International Council of Conciliation.</p> + +<p>X. Be that as it may, in a sense the League of +Nations has already started its career, because +twenty-five States are united on the one side and +are fighting this war in vindication of International +Law. These States are—I enumerate them chronologically +as they entered into the war:—Russia +(the Bolsheviks have made peace, but in fact one +may still enumerate Russia as a belligerent), France, +Belgium, Great Britain, Servia, Montenegro, Japan, +San Marino, Portugal, Italy, Roumania, the United +States, Cuba, Panama, Greece, Siam, Liberia, China, +Brazil, Ecuador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, +Haiti, Honduras. Besides these twenty-five States +which are at war with the Central Powers, the following +four States, without having declared war, have<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span> +broken off diplomatic relations with Germany, +namely: Bolivia, San Domingo, Peru, Uruguay.</p> + +<p>Now there may be said to be about fifty civilised +States in existence. Of these, as I have just pointed +out, twenty-five are fighting against the Central +Powers, four have broken off relations with Germany, +the Central Powers themselves are four in number, +with the consequence that thirty-three of the fifty +States are implicated in the war. Only the seventeen +remaining States are neutral, namely: Sweden, +Norway, Denmark, Holland, Luxemburg, Switzerland, +Spain, Lichtenstein, and Monaco in Europe; +Mexico, Salvador, Colombia, Venezuela, Chile, +Argentina, and Paraguay in America; and Persia +in Asia.</p> + +<p>It may be taken for granted that all the neutral +States, and all the States fighting on the side of +the Allies, and also the four States which, although +they are not fighting on the side of the Allies, have +broken off relations with Germany, are prepared +to enter into a League of Nations.</p> + +<p>But what about the Central Powers, and Germany +in especial? I shall discuss in my next lecture the +question whether the Central Powers are to become +members of the League. To-day it must suffice to +say that, when once utterly defeated, they will be +only too glad to be received as members. On the +other hand, if they were excluded, the world would +again be divided into two rival camps, just as before +the war the Triple Alliance was faced by the Entente. +No disarmament would be possible, and with regard +to every other matter progress would be equally<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span> +impossible. Therefore the Central Powers must +become members of a League of Nations for such +a League to be of any great use, which postulates +as a <i>sine qua non</i> that Germany must be utterly +defeated in the present war. If she were victorious, +or if peace were concluded with an undefeated +Germany, the world would not be ripe for a League +of Nations because militarism would not have been +exterminated.</p> + +<p>XI. I have hitherto discussed the League of +Nations only in a general way, without mentioning +that there is no unanimity concerning its aims or +concerning the details of its organisation. Many +people think that it would be possible to do away +with war for ever, and they therefore demand a +World State, a Federal State comprising all the +single States of the world on the pattern of the +United States of America. And for this reason the +demand is raised not only for an International Court +and for an International Council of Conciliation, +but also for an International Government, an International +Parliament, and an International Army +and Navy,—a so-called International Police.</p> + +<p>I believe that these demands go much too far +and are impossible of realisation. A Federal State +comprising all the single States of the whole civilised +world is a Utopia, and an International Army and +Navy would be a danger to the peace of the world.</p> + +<p>Why is a World State not possible, at any rate +not in our time?</p> + +<p>No one has ever thought that a World State in +the form of one single State with one single Government<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span> +would be possible. Those who plead for a +World State plead for it in the form of a Federal +State comprising all the single States of the world +on the pattern of the United States of America. +But even this modified ideal is not, in my opinion, +realisable at present. Why not? To realise this +ideal there would be required a Federal Government, +and a Federal Parliament; and the Federal Government +would have to possess strong powers to enforce +its demands. A powerless Federal Government +would be worse than no government at all. But +how is it possible to establish at present a powerful +Federal Government over the whole world? How is +it possible to establish a Federal World Parliament?</p> + +<p>Constitutional Government within the several +States has to grapple with many difficulties, and +these difficulties would be more numerous, greater, +and much more complicated within a Federal World +State. We need democracy and constitutional +Government in every single State, and this can only +be realised by party Government and elections of +Parliament at short intervals. The waves of party +strife rise high within the several States; no sooner +is one party in, than the other party looks out for +an opening into which a wedge can be pushed to +turn the Government out. In normal times this +works on the whole quite well within the borders +of the several States, because the interests concerned +are not so widely opposed to one another +that the several parties cannot alternatively govern. +But when it comes to applying the same system of +Government to a Federal World State, the interests<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span> +at stake are too divergent. The East and the West, +the South and the North, the interests of maritime +States and land-locked States, the ideals and interests +of industrial and agricultural States, and many other +contrasts, are too great for it to be possible to govern +a Federal World State by the same institutions as a +State of ordinary size and composition.</p> + +<p>The British World Empire may be taken as an +example to show that it is impossible for one single +central Government to govern a number of States +with somewhat divergent interests. We all know +that the British Empire comprising the United +Kingdom and the so-called independent dominions, +namely Canada, Newfoundland, Australia, New +Zealand, and South Africa, is kept together not +really by the powers of the British Government +but by the good will of the component parts. The +Government of the United Kingdom could not +keep the Empire together by force, could not compel +by force one of the independent dominions to submit +to a demand, in case it refused to comply. The +interests of the several component parts of the +British Empire are so divergent that no central +Government could keep them together against their +will. Now what applies to the British Empire, which +is to a great extent bound together by the same +language, the same literature, and the same Law, +would apply much more to a Federal State comprising +the whole of the world: such a Federal State, so +far as we can see, is impossible.</p> + +<p>XII. But what about an International Army and +Navy?<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span></p> + +<p>It is hardly worth while to say much about them. +Those who propose the establishment of an International +Army and Navy presuppose that the +national armies and navies would be abolished so +that the world Government would have the power, +with the help of the International Army and Navy, +at any moment to crush any attempt of a recalcitrant +member of the Federal World State to avoid its +duties. This International Army and Navy would +be the most powerful instrument of force which the +world has ever seen, because every attempt to resist +it would be futile. And the Commander of the +International Army and the Commander of the +International Navy would be men holding in their +hands the greatest power that can be imagined.</p> + +<p>The old question therefore arises: <i>Quis custodiet +ipsos custodes?</i> which I should like here to translate +freely by: Who will keep in order those who are +to keep the world in order? A League of Nations +which can only be kept together by a powerful +International Army and Navy, is a contradiction +in itself; for the independence and equality of the +member States of the League would soon disappear. +It is a fact—I make this statement although I am +sure it will be violently contradicted—that, just as +hitherto, so within a League of Nations some kind +of Balance of Power only can guarantee the independence +and equality of the smaller States. For +the Community of Power, on which the League of +Nations must rest, would at once disappear if one +or two members of the League became so powerful +that they could disregard the combined power of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span> +the other members. Every scheme of this movement +must therefore see to it that no member of the +League is more armed than is necessary considering +the extent of its territory and other factors concerned. +But be that as it may, an International Army and +Navy is practically impossible, just as a Federal +World State is impossible.</p> + +<p>XIII. Yet while a Federal World State is impossible, +a League of Nations is not, provided such league +gives itself a constitution, not of a state-like character, +but one <i>sui generis</i>. What can be done is this: the +hitherto unorganised Family of Nations can organise +itself on simple lines so as to secure, on the one +hand, the absolute independence of every State, +and, on the other hand, the peaceful co-existence +of all the States.</p> + +<p>It is possible, in my opinion, to establish an International +Court of Justice before which the several +States engage to appear in case a conflict arises +between two or more of them which can be judicially +settled, that is, can be settled by a rule of law. There +is as little reason why two or more States should +go to war on account of a conflict which can be +settled upon the basis of law, as there is for two +private individuals to resort to arms in case of a +dispute between them which can be decided by a +Court of Law.</p> + +<p>Again, although there will frequently arise between +States conflicts of a political character which cannot +be settled on the basis of a rule of law, there is no +reason why, when the States in conflict cannot settle +them by diplomatic negotiation, they should resort<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span> +to arms, before bringing the conflict before some +Council of Conciliation and giving the latter an +opportunity of investigating the matter and proposing +a fair compromise.</p> + +<p>Under modern conditions of civilisation the whole +world suffers in case war breaks out between even +only two States, and for this reason it is advisable +that the rest of the world should unite and oppose +such State as would resort to arms without having +submitted its case to an International Court of +Justice or an International Council of Conciliation.</p> + +<p>XIV. In my opinion the aims of a League of +Nations should therefore be three:</p> + +<p>The first aim should be to prevent the outbreak +of war altogether on account of so-called judicial +disputes, that is disputes which can be settled on +the basis of a rule of law. For this reason the League +should stipulate that every State must submit all +judicial disputes without exception to an International +Court of Justice and must abide by the +judgment of such Court.</p> + +<p>The second aim should be to prevent the sudden +outbreak of war on account of a political dispute and +to insist on an opportunity for mediation. For this +reason the League should stipulate that every State, +previous to resorting to arms over a political dispute, +must submit it to an International Council of Conciliation +and must at any rate listen to the advice +of such Council.</p> + +<p>The third aim should be to provide a sanction +for the enforcement of the two rules just mentioned. +For this reason the League should stipulate that all<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span> +the member States of the League must unite their +economic, military, and naval forces against such +member or members as would resort to arms either +on account of a judicial dispute which ought to have +been settled by an International Court of Justice, +or on account of a political dispute without previously +having submitted it to an International Council of +Conciliation and listened to the latter's advice.</p> + +<p>These should be, in my opinion, the three aims of +a League of Nations and the three rules necessary +for the realisation of these aims. However, it is not +so easy to realise them, and it is therefore necessary +to face and solve four problems: There is, firstly, +the problem of the Organisation of the League; +secondly, the problem of Legislation within the +League; thirdly, the problem of Administration of +Justice within the League; and fourthly, the problem +of Mediation within the League—four problems which +I shall discuss in the two following lectures.</p> + +<p>I have only named three aims and four problems +because I have in my mind those aims which are the +nearest and those problems which are the most +pressing and the most urgent. The range of vision +of the League of Nations, when once established, +will no doubt gradually become wider and wider; +new aims will arise and new problems will demand +solution, but all such possible future aims and future +problems are outside the scope of these lectures.</p> + +<hr /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span></p> +<h2><span class="smcap">Second Lecture</span><br /> +ORGANISATION AND LEGISLATION OF +THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS</h2> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span></p> +<h3>SYNOPSIS</h3> + +<div class="fss"><p>I. The Community of civilised States, the at present existing +League of Nations, is a community without any organisation, although +there are plenty of legal rules for the intercourse of the several +States one with another.</p> + +<p>II. The position of the Great Powers within the Community of +States is a mere political fact not based on Law.</p> + +<p>III. The pacifistic demand for a Federal World State in order +to make the abolition of war a possibility.</p> + +<p>IV. Every attempt at organising the desired new League of +Nations must start from, and keep intact, the independence and +equality of the several States, with the consequence that the establishment +of a central political authority above the sovereign States +is an impossibility.</p> + +<p>V. The development of an organisation of the Community of +States began before the outbreak of the World War and is to be +found in the establishment of the Permanent Court of Arbitration +at the Hague by the First Hague Peace Conference of 1899. But +more steps will be necessary to turn the hitherto unorganised Community +of States into an organised League of Nations.</p> + +<p>VI. The organisation of the desired new League of Nations should +start from the beginning made by the Hague Peace Conferences, and +the League should therefore include all the independent civilised States.</p> + +<p>VII. The objection to the reception of the Central Powers, and +of Germany especially, into the League.</p> + +<p>VIII. The objection to the reception of the minor transoceanic +States into the League.</p> + +<p>IX. The seven principles which ought to be accepted with regard +to the organisation of the new League of Nations.</p> + +<p>X. The organisation of the League of Nations is not an end in +itself but only a means of attaining three objects, the first of which +is International Legislation. The meaning of the term 'International +Legislation' in contradistinction to Municipal Legislation. +International Legislation in the past and in the future.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span></p> + +<p>XI. The difficulty in the way of International Legislation on +account of the language question.</p> + +<p>XII. The difficulty created by the conflicting national interests +of the several States.</p> + +<p>XIII. The difficulty caused by the fact that International Statutes +cannot be created by a majority vote of the States. The difference +between universal and general International Law offers a way out.</p> + +<p>XIV. The difficulty created by the fact that there are as yet +no universally recognised rules concerning interpretation and construction +of International Statutes and ordinary conventions. The +notorious Article 23(h) of the Hague Regulations concerning Land +Warfare.</p></div> + +<h3>THE LECTURE</h3> + +<p>I. In my first lecture on the League of Nations +I recommended the following three rules to be laid +down by a League of Nations:</p> + +<p>Firstly, every State must submit all judicial +disputes to an International Court of Justice and +must abide by the judgment of such Court.</p> + +<p>Secondly, every State previous to resorting to +arms, must submit every political and non-judicial +dispute to an International Council of Conciliation +and must at any rate listen to the advice of such +Council.</p> + +<p>Thirdly, the member States must unite their +forces against such State or States as should resort +to arms without previously having submitted the +matter in dispute to an International Court of +Justice or to an International Council of Conciliation.</p> + +<p>And I added that these three rules cannot create +a satisfactory condition of affairs unless four problems +are faced and solved, namely: The Organisation of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span> +the League, Legislation by the League, Administration +of Justice and Mediation within the League. My lecture +to-day will deal with two of these problems, namely +the Organisation and the Legislation of the League.</p> + +<p>Let us first consider the Organisation of the +League. Hitherto the body of civilised States +which form the Family of Nations and which, as +I pointed out in my first lecture, is really a League +of Nations evolved by custom, has been an unorganised +Community. This means that, although +there are plenty of legal rules for the intercourse +of the several States one with another, the Community +of civilised States does not possess any +permanently established organs or agents for the +conduct of its common affairs. At present these +affairs, if they are peaceably settled, are either +settled by ordinary diplomatic negotiation or, if +the matter is pressing and of the greatest importance, +by temporarily convened International Conferences +or Congresses.</p> + +<p>II. It is true there are the so-called Great Powers +which are the leaders of the Family of Nations, and +it is therefore asserted by some authorities that the +Community of States has acquired a certain amount +of organisation because the Great Powers are the +legally recognised superiors of the minor States.</p> + +<p>But is this assertion correct? The Great Powers, +are they really the legally recognised superiors of +the minor States?</p> + +<p>I deny it. A Great Power is any large-sized +State possessing a large population which gains +such economic, military, and naval strength that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span> +its political influence must be reckoned with by +all the other Powers. At the time of the outbreak +of the World War eight States had to be considered +as Great Powers, namely Great Britain, Austria-Hungary, +France, Germany, Italy, Russia, the +United States of America, and Japan. But it is +very probable that the end of the World War will +see the number of Great Powers reduced to six. +The collapse and break up of Russia has surely for +the present eliminated her from the number of Great +Powers. And it is quite certain that Austria-Hungary +will not emerge from the struggle as a +Great Power, if she emerges from it as a whole at +all. History teaches that the number of the Great +Powers is by no means stable, and changes occasionally +take place. Look at the condition of affairs +during the nineteenth century. Whereas at the +time of the Vienna Congress in 1815 eight States, +namely Great Britain, Austria, France, Portugal, +Prussia, Spain, Sweden, and Russia were still considered +Great Powers, their number soon decreased +to five, because Portugal, Spain, and Sweden ceased +to be Great Powers. On the other hand, Italy +joined the number of the Great Powers after her +unification in 1860; the United States of America +joined the Great Powers after the American Civil +War in 1865; and Japan emerged as a Great Power +from her war with China in 1895.</p> + +<p>Be that as it may, so much is certain, a State +is a Great Power not by law but only by its political +influence. The Great Powers are the leaders of the +Family of Nations because their political influence<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span> +is so great. Their political and economic influence +is in the long run irresistible; therefore all arrangements +made by the Great Powers naturally in most +cases gain, either at once or in time, the consent +of the minor States. It may be said that the +Great Powers exercise a kind of political hegemony +within the Family of Nations. Yet this hegemony +is not based on law, it is simply a political fact, and +it is certainly not a consequence of an organisation +of the Family of Nations.</p> + +<p>III. The demand for a proper organisation of +the Community of States had, up to the outbreak +of the World War, been raised exclusively on the +part of the so-called Pacifists in order to make the +abolition of war a possibility. It is a common +assertion on the part of the Pacifists that War cannot +die out so long as there is no Central Political +Authority in existence above the several States +which could compel them to bring their disputes +before an International Court and also compel them +to carry out the judgments of such a Court. For +this reason many Pacifists aim at such an organisation +of the Community of States as would bring all +the civilised States of the world within the bonds +of a federation. They demand a World Federation +of all the civilised States, or at any rate a federation +of the States of Europe, on the model of the +United States of America.</p> + +<p>If such a Federal World State were practically +possible, there would be no objection to it, although +International Law as such would cease to exist and +be replaced by the Constitutional Law of this Federal<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span> +World State. But in my first lecture I pointed +out that such a Federal World State is practically +impossible. And it is not even desirable.</p> + +<p>The development of mankind would seem in +the main to be indissolubly connected with the +national development of the peoples. Most peoples +possessing a strong national consciousness desire an +independent State in which they can live according +to their own ideals. They want to be their own +masters, and not to be part and parcel of a Federal +World State to which they would have to surrender +a great part of their independence. Moreover—as I +likewise pointed out in my first lecture (pp. <a href="#Page_18">18-20</a>)—it +would be impossible to establish a strong +Government and a strong Parliament in a Federal +World State.</p> + +<p>However this may be, it is not at all certain that +war would altogether disappear in a Federal World +State. The history of Federal States teaches that +wars do occasionally break out between their member +States. Think of the war between the Roman +Catholic and the Protestant member States of the +Swiss Confederation in 1847, of the war in 1863 +between the Northern and the Southern member +States within the Federation which is called the +United States of America, and of the war between +Prussia and Austria within the German Confederation +in 1866.</p> + +<p>IV. But what kind of organisation of the League +of Nations is possible if we reject the idea of a Federal +State?</p> + +<p>Neither I, nor anyone else who does not like to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span> +build castles in the air, can answer this question +directly by making a detailed proposal. It is at +present quite impossible to work out a practical +scheme according to which a more detailed organisation +of the League of Nations could be realised. +But so much is certain that every attempt at +organising this League must start from, and must +keep intact, the independence and the equality of +all civilised States. It is for this reason that a +Central Political Authority above the sovereign +States can never be thought of. Every attempt +to organise a League of Nations on the model of a +Federal State is futile. If a detailed organisation +of the League should ever come, it will be one <i>sui +generis</i>, one absolutely of its own kind; such as +has never been seen before. And it is at present +quite impossible to map out a detailed plan of such +an organisation although, as I shall have to show +you later, the first step towards an organisation +has already been made, and further steps towards +the ideal can be taken. The reason that it is at +present impossible is that the growth and the final +shape of the organisation of the League of Nations +will, and must, go hand in hand with the progress +of International Law. But the progress of International +Law is conditioned by the growth, the +strengthening, and the deepening of international +economic and other interests, and of international +morality. It is a matter of course that this progress +can only be realised very slowly, for there is concerned +a process of development through many +generations and perhaps through centuries, a development<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span> +whose end no one can foresee. It is sufficient +for us to state that the development had already +begun before the World War, and to try to foster +it, as far as is in our power, after the conclusion +of peace.</p> + +<p>V. I said that this development has begun. +Where is this beginning of the development to be +found?</p> + +<p>It is to be found in the establishment of the Permanent +Court of Arbitration at the Hague and the +Office therewith connected. The Permanent Court +of Arbitration is not an institution of the several +States, but an institution of the Community of +States in contradistinction to its several members. +Had the International Prize Court agreed upon by +the Second Hague Peace Conference of 1907 been +established, there would have come into existence +another institution of the Community of States.</p> + +<p>But the establishment of International Courts +would not justify the assertion that thereby the +Community of States has turned from an unorganised +community into an organised community. To +reach this goal another step is required, namely an +agreement amongst the Powers, according to which +the Hague Peace Conferences would be made a +permanent institution which periodically, within +fixed intervals, assemble without being convened +by one Power or another. If this were done, we +could say that the hitherto unorganised Community +of States had turned into an organised League of +Nations, for by such periodically assembling Hague +Peace Conferences there would be established an<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span> +organ for the conduct of all such international +matters as require international legislation or other +international action.</p> + +<p>However that may be, the organisation created +by the fact that the Hague Peace Conferences +periodically assembled, would only be an immature +one; more steps would be necessary in order that +the organisation of the Community of States might +become more perfect and more efficient. Yet progress +would be slow, for every attempt at a progressive +step meets with opposition, and it would be only +when the <i>international</i> interests of the civilised States +become victorious over their particular <i>national</i> +interests that the Community of States would +gradually receive a more perfect organisation.</p> + +<p>VI. There is no doubt that the experiences of +mankind during the World War have been quickening +development more than could have been +expected in normal times. The universal demand +for a new League of Nations accepting the principles +that every judicial dispute amongst nations must +be settled by International Courts and that every +political dispute must, before the parties resort to +arms, be brought before a Council of Conciliation, +demonstrates clearly that the Community of States +must now deliberately give itself some kind of +organisation, because without it the principles just +mentioned cannot be realised.</p> + +<p>Now a number of schemes for the organisation of +a new League of Nations have been made public. +They all agree upon the three aims of the League +and the three rules for the realisation of these aims<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span> +which I mentioned in my first lecture, namely compulsory +settlement of all judicial disputes by International +Courts of Justice, compulsory mediation +in cases of political disputes by an International +Council of Conciliation, and the duty of the members +of the League to turn against any one member +which should resort to arms in violation of the +principles laid down by the League. However, +these schemes differ very much with regard to the +<i>organisation</i> of the League. I cannot now discuss +the various schemes in detail. It must suffice to +say that some of them embody proposals for a more +or less state-like organisation and are therefore not +acceptable to those who share my opinion that any +state-like organisation of the League is practically +impossible. But though some of the schemes, as +for instance that of Lord Bryce and that of Sir +Willoughby Dickinson, avoid this mistake, none of +them take as their starting point that which I +consider to be the right one, namely the beginning +made at the two Hague Peace Conferences. <i>In my +opinion the organisation of a new League of Nations +should start from the beginning made by the two Hague +Peace Conferences.</i></p> + +<p>VII. However, there is much objection to this, +because it would necessitate the admission into +the new League of all those States which took part +in the Second Hague Peace Conference, including, +of course, the Central Powers. The objections to +such a wide range of the League are two-fold.</p> + +<p>In the first instance, the admission of the Central +Powers, and especially of Germany, into the League<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span> +is deprecated. By her attack on Belgium at the +outbreak of the war, and by her general conduct +of the war, Germany has deliberately taken up an +attitude which proves that, when her military +interests are concerned, she does not consider herself +bound by any treaty, by any rule of law, or by +any principle of humanity. How can we expect +that she will carry out the engagements into which +she might enter by becoming a member of the League +of Nations?</p> + +<p>My answer is that, provided she be utterly defeated +and no peace of compromise be made with her, +militarism in Germany will be doomed, the reparation +to be exacted from her for the many cruel wrongs +must lead to a change of Constitution and Government, +and this change of Constitution and Government +will make Germany a more acceptable member +of a new League of Nations. The utter defeat of +Germany is a necessary preliminary condition to +the possibility of her entrance into a League of +Nations. Those who speak of the foundation of a +League of Nations as a means of ending the World +War by a peace of compromise with Germany are +mistaken. The necessary presuppositions of such a +League are entirely incompatible with an unbroken +Prussian militarism.</p> + +<p>But while her utter defeat is the necessary preliminary +condition to her entrance into a League of +Nations, the inclusion of Germany in the League, +after her utter defeat, is likewise a necessity. The +reason is that, as I pointed out in my first lecture +(p. <a href="#Page_17">17</a>), in case the Central Powers were excluded<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span> +from the League, they would enter into a League +of their own, and the world would then be divided +into two rival camps, in the same way as before the +war the Triple Alliance was faced by the Entente. +<i>The world would be proved not ripe for a new League +of Nations if peace were concluded with an undefeated +Germany; and the League would miss its purpose if +to a defeated and repenting Germany entrance into it +were refused.</i></p> + +<p>VIII. In the second instance, the entrance of the +great number of minor transoceanic States into +the League is deprecated because these States would +claim an equal vote with the European Powers and +thereby obstruct progress within the League.</p> + +<p>It is asserted that some of the minor transatlantic +States made the discussions at the Hague Conferences +futile by their claim to an equal vote. Now +it is true that some of these States have to a certain +extent impeded the work of the Hague Conferences, +but some of the minor States of Europe, and even +some of the Great Powers, have done likewise. +The Community of States consisting of sovereign +States does not possess any means of compelling a +minority of States to fall in with the views of the +majority, but I shall show you very soon, when I +approach the problem of International Legislation, +that International Legislation of a kind is possible +in spite of this fact. And so much is certain that +the minimum of organisation of the new League +which is now necessary, cannot be considered to +be endangered by the admittance of the minor +transoceanic States into the League. Progress will<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span> +in any case be slow, and perfect unanimity among +the Powers will in any and every case only be possible +where the <i>international</i> interests of all the Powers +compel them to put aside their real or imaginary +particular <i>national</i> interests.</p> + +<p>IX. For these reasons I take it for granted that +the organisation of a new League of Nations should +start from the beginning made by the Hague Peace +Conferences. Therefore the following seven principles +ought to be accepted:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>First principle: The League of Nations is +composed of all civilised States which recognise +one another's external and internal independence +and absolute equality before International Law.</p> + +<p>Second principle: The chief organ of the +League is the Peace Conference at the Hague. +The Peace Conferences meet periodically—say +every two or three years—without being convened +by any special Power. Their task is the +gradual codification of International Law and +the agreement upon such International Conventions +as are from time to time necessitated +by new circumstances and conditions.</p> + +<p>Third principle: A permanent Council of +the Conference is to be created, the members +of which are to be resident at the Hague and +are to conduct all the current business of the +League of Nations. This current business +comprises: The preparation of the meetings +of the Peace Conference; the conduct of communications +with the several members of the +League with regard to the preparation of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span> +work of the Peace Conferences; and all other +matters of international interest which the +Conference from time to time hands over to +the Council.</p> + +<p>Fourth principle: Every recognised sovereign +State has a right to take part in the Peace +Conferences.</p> + +<p>Fifth principle: Resolutions of the Conference +can come into force only in so far as they become +ratified by the several States concerned. On +the other hand, every State agrees once for all +faithfully to carry out those resolutions which +have been ratified by it.</p> + +<p>Sixth principle: Every State that takes +part in the Peace Conferences is bound only +by such resolutions of the Conferences as it +expressly agrees to and ratifies. Resolutions of a +majority only bind the majority. On the other +hand, no State has a right to demand that +only such resolutions as it agrees to shall be +adopted.</p> + +<p>Seventh principle: All members of the +League of Nations agree once for all to submit +all judicial disputes to International Courts +which are to be set up, and to abide by their +judgments. They likewise agree to submit, +previous to resorting to arms, all non-judicial +disputes to International Councils of Conciliation +which are to be set up. And they all +agree to unite their economic, military, and +naval forces against any one or more States +which resort to arms without submitting their<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span> +disputes to International Courts of Justice or +International Councils of Conciliation.</p></div> + +<p>You will have noticed that my proposals do not +comprise the creation of an International Government, +an International Executive, an International +Parliament, and an International Army and Navy +which would serve as an International Police Force. +No one can look into the future and say what it will +bring, but it is certain that for the present, and for +some generations to come, all attempts at creating +an International Government are not only futile +but dangerous; because it is almost certain that +a League of Nations comprising an International +Executive, an International Parliament, and an +International Army and Navy would soon collapse.</p> + +<p>X. However this may be, and whatever may be +the details of the organisation of the League, such +necessary organisation is not an end in itself but a +means of attaining three objects, namely: International +Legislation, International Administration +of Justice, and International Mediation. I shall +discuss International Administration of Justice and +International Mediation in my next lecture, to-day +I will only draw your attention to International +Legislation.</p> + +<p>In using the term 'International Legislation,' +it must be understood that 'legislation' is here +to be understood in a figurative sense only. When +we speak of legislation in everyday language, we +mean that process of parliamentary activity by +which Municipal Statutes are called into existence. +Municipal Legislation presupposes a sovereign power,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span> +which prescribes rules of conduct to its subjects. +It is obvious that within the Community of States +no such kind of legislation can take place. Rules of +conduct for the members of the League of Nations +can only be created by an agreement amongst those +members. Whereas Municipal Statutes contain the +rules of conduct set by an authority sovereign over +its subjects, International Statutes—if I may be +allowed to use that term—contain rules of conduct +which the members of the Community of States +have agreed to set for themselves. International +Statutes are created by the so-called Law-making +Treaties of the Powers. But in one point Municipal +Legislation and the Law-making Treaties of the +Powers resemble one another very closely:—both +intend to create law, and for this reason it is permissible +to use the term 'International Legislation' +figuratively for the conclusion of such international +treaties as contain rules of International Law.</p> + +<p>Now it would be very misleading to believe that +no International Legislation has taken place in +the past. The fact is that, from the Vienna Congress +of 1815 onwards, agreements have been arrived at +upon a number of rules of International Law. However, +such agreements have only occurred occasionally, +because the Community of civilised States +has not hitherto possessed a permanently established +organ for legislating. Much of the legislation which +has taken place in the past was only a by-product +of Congresses or Conferences which had assembled +for other purposes. On the other hand, when legislation +on a certain subject was considered pressing,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span> +a Congress or Conference was convened for that +very purpose. It will be only when the Hague +Peace Conferences have become permanently established +that an organ of the League of Nations for +legislating internationally will be at hand. And +a wide field is open for such legislation. The bulk +of International Law in its present state is—if I +may say so—a book law, it is customary law which +is only to be found in text-books of International +Law; it is, as regards many points, controversial; +it has many gaps; and it is in many ways uncertain. +International Legislation will be able gradually +to create international statutes which will turn +this book law into firm, clear, and authoritative +statutory law.</p> + +<p>XI. But you must not imagine that International +Legislation is an easy matter. It is in fact full of +difficulties of all kinds. I will only mention four:</p> + +<p>There is, firstly, the language question. Since it +is impossible to draft International Statutes in all +languages, it is absolutely necessary to agree upon +one language, and this language at present is, as +you all know, French. Yet, difficult as the language +question is, it is not insurmountable. It is hardly +greater than the difficulty which arises when two +States, which speak different languages, have to +agree upon an ordinary convention. One point, +however, must be specially observed, and that is: +when any question of the interpretation of an International +Statute occurs, it is the French text of the +statute which is authoritative, and not the text of +the translation into other languages.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span></p> + +<p>XII. Another difficulty with regard to International +Legislation is the conflicting <i>national</i> interests +of the different States. As International Statutes +are only possible when the several States come to +an agreement, it will often not be possible to legislate +internationally on a given matter, because the +interests of the different States will be so conflicting +that an agreement cannot be arrived at. On the +other hand, as time goes on the international interests +of the several States frequently become so powerful +that these Governments are quite ready to brush +aside their particular interests, and to agree upon a +compromise which makes International Legislation +concerning the matter in question possible.</p> + +<p>XIII. A third difficulty with regard to International +Legislation is of quite a particular kind. +It arises from the fact that International Statutes +cannot be created by a vote of the majority of States, +but only by a unanimous vote of all the members +of the Community of civilised States.</p> + +<p>This difficulty, however, can be overcome by +dropping the contention that no legislation of any +kind can be proceeded with unless every member +of the League of Nations agrees to it. It is a well-known +fact that a distinction has to be made between +<i>universal</i> International Law, that is, rules to which +every civilised State agrees, and <i>general</i> International +Law, that is, rules to which only the greater +number of States agree. Now it is quite certain +that no universal International Law can be created +by legislation to which not every member of the +League of Nations has agreed. Nothing, however,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span> +ought to prevent those States which are ready to +agree to certain new rules of International Law, from +legislating <i>for their own number</i> on a certain matter. +If such legislation is really of value, the time will +come when the dissenting States will gradually +accede. The Second Hague Peace Conference acted +on this principle, for a good many of its Conventions +were only agreed upon by the greater number, and +not by all, of the participating States.</p> + +<p>XIV. A fourth difficulty with regard to International +Legislation is the difficulty of the interpretation +of, and the construction to be put upon, International +Statutes as well as ordinary international +conventions. We do not as yet possess universally +recognised rules of International Law concerning +such interpretation and construction. Each nation +applies to International Statutes those rules of +interpretation and construction which are valid for +the interpretation and construction of their Municipal +Statutes.</p> + +<p>Many international disputes have been due in +the past to this difficulty of interpretation and construction. +A notorious example is that of the +interpretation of Article 23(h) of the Hague Regulations +of 1907 concerning Land Warfare, which lays +down the rule that it is forbidden 'to declare +abolished, suspended, or inadmissible in a Court of +Law the rights and actions of the nationals of the +hostile party.'</p> + +<p>Germany and other continental States interpret +this article to mean that the Municipal Law of a +State is not allowed to declare that the outbreak<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span> +of war suspends or avoids contracts with alien +enemies, or that war prevents alien enemies from +bringing an action in the Courts.</p> + +<p>On the other hand, England and the United +States of America interpret this article to mean +merely that the <i>occupant of enemy territory</i> is prohibited +from declaring abolished, suspended, or inadmissible +in a Court of Law the rights and actions +of the nationals of the hostile party.</p> + +<p>What is the cause of this divergent interpretation +of an article, the literal meaning of which seems to +be quite clear? The divergence is due to the different +mode of interpretation of statutes resorted to by +continental Courts, on the one hand, and, on the +other hand, by British and American Courts.</p> + +<p>Continental Courts take into consideration not +only the literal meaning of a clause of a statute, +but also the intention of the legislator as evidenced +by—what I should like to call—the history of the +clause. They look for the intention of the draftsman, +they search the Parliamentary proceedings concerning +the clause, and they interpret and construe the +clause with regard to the intention of the draftsman +as well as to the proceedings in Parliament.</p> + +<p>Now Article 23(h) of the Hague Regulations was +inserted on the motion of the German delegates to +the Second Hague Peace Conference, and there is +no doubt that the German delegates intended by +its insertion to prevent the Municipal Law of belligerents +from possessing a rule according to which +the outbreak of war suspends or avoids contracts +with alien enemies, and prohibits alien enemies from<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span> +bringing an action in the Courts. It is for this +reason that Germany and other continental States +interpret Article 23(h) according to the intention +of the German delegates.</p> + +<p>On the other hand, in interpreting and construing +a clause of a statute, British and American Courts +refuse to take into consideration the intention of +the draftsman, Parliamentary discussions concerning +the clause, and the like. They only take into +consideration the literal meaning of the clause as it +stands in the statute of which it is a part. Now +Article 23(h) is a clause in the Convention concerning +the Laws and Customs of War on Land. It is one +of several paragraphs of Article 23 which comprises +the prohibition of a number of acts by the armed +forces of belligerents in warfare on land, such as +the employment of poison or poisoned arms, and +the like. The British and American delegates, +believing that it only concerned an act on the part +of belligerent forces occupying enemy territory, +therefore consented to the insertion of Article 23(h), +and our Court of Appeal—in the case of Porter <i>v.</i> +Freundenberg (1915)—held that Article 23(h) is to +be interpreted in that sense.<a name="FNanchor_1_1" id="FNanchor_1_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a></p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span></p> +<p>Be that as it may, the difficulty of interpretation +and construction of international treaties will exist +so long as no International Statute has been agreed +upon which lays down detailed rules concerning +interpretation and construction, or so long as International +Courts have not developed such rules in +practice. But the problem of International Courts +is itself a very difficult one; it will be the subject +of my third lecture which will deal with Administration +of Justice and Mediation within the League +of Nations.</p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_1_1" id="Footnote_1_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_1_1"><span class="label">[1]</span></a> By a letter of February 28, 1911, I drew the attention of the +Foreign Office to the interpretation of Article 23(h) which generally +prevailed on the Continent. This letter and the answer I received +were privately printed, and copies were distributed amongst those +members and associates of the Institute of International Law who +attended the meeting at Madrid. Since French, German, and +Italian International Law Journals published translations, but the +original of the correspondence was never published in this country, +I think it advisable to append it to this lecture.</p></div> + +<h3>APPENDIX</h3> + +<p class="center">CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE FOREIGN +OFFICE RESPECTING THE INTERPRETATION<br /> +OF ARTICLE 23(h) OF THE +HAGUE REGULATIONS CONCERNING +LAND WARFARE</p> + +<h4>LETTER FROM THE PRESENT WRITER TO THE +FOREIGN OFFICE.</h4> + +<div class="bk2"><p class="p5"><span class="smcap">Whewell House, Cambridge</span>,</p> +<p class="td2"><i>28th February, 1911</i>.</p></div> + +<p class="p2"><span class="smcap">To<br /> +The Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.</span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sir</span>,—</p> + +<p>I venture to bring the following matter before your +consideration:—</p> + +<p>In the course of my recent studies I have been dealing with the +laws and usages of war on land, and I have had to consider the +interpretation of Article 23(h) of the Regulations attached to the +Convention of 1907 relating to the Laws and Customs of war on +land. I find that the interpretation prevailing among all continental +and some English and American authorities is contrary<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span> +to the old English rule, and I would respectfully ask to be informed +of the view which His Majesty's Government place upon the article +in question.</p> + +<p>To give some idea as to how an interpretation of Article 23(h) +contrary to the old English rule prevails generally, I will quote +a number of French, German, English, and American writers, the +works of whom I have at hand in my library, and I will also quote +the German <i>Weissbuch</i> concerning the results of the second Hague +Conference of 1907.</p> + +<p>Bonfils, <i>Manuel de droit international public</i>, 5th ed. by Fauchille, +1908, discusses, on page 651, the doctrine which denies to an enemy +subject any <i>persona standi in judicio</i>, but adds:—'... Article +23(h) décide qu'il est interdit de déclarer éteints, suspendus ou +non recevables en justice, les droits et actions des nationaux de la +partie adverse.'</p> + +<p>Politis, Professor of International Law in the University of Poitiers +(France), in his report to the Institute of International Law, Session +of Paris (1910), concerning <i>Effets de la Guerre sur les Obligations +Internationales et les Contrats privés</i>, page 18, says:</p> + +<p>'Un point hors de doute, c'est, que la guerre ne peut, ni par +elle-même ni par la volonté des belligérants, affecter la validité ou +l'exécution des contrats antérieurs. Cette règle fait désormais +partie du droit positif. L'article 23(h) du nouveau Règlement +de la Haye interdit formellement aux belligérants "de déclarer +éteints, suspendus ou non recevables en justice les droits et actions +des nationaux de la partie adverse."</p> + +<p>'Cette formule condamne d'anciens usages conservés encore, +en partie, dans certains pays. Elle proscrit d'abord tous les moyens—annulation +ou confiscation—par lesquels on chercherait à atteindre, +dans leur existence, les droits nés avant la guerre. Elle exclut, +en second lieu, l'ancienne pratique qui interdisait aux particuliers +ennemis l'accès des tribunaux. Elle prohibe, enfin, toutes les +mesures législatives ou autres tendant à entraver au cours de la +guerre l'exécution ou les effets utiles des obligations privées, +notamment le cours des intérêts.</p> + +<p>'Il y a là progrès incontestable. Et l'on doit être reconnaissant +à la délégation allemande à la 2e Conférence de la paix de l'avoir +provoqué.</p> + +<p>'L'accueil empressé et unanime qu'a reçu cette heureuse initiative +permet d'espérer que de nouveaux progrès pourront être réalisés +dans cet ordre d'idées.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span></p> + +<p>'On doit souhaiter que la disposition de l'article 23(h), étrangère +à l'hypothèse de l'occupation du territoire ennemi, soit distraite +du règlement de 1907 (comme les articles 57 à 60 l'ont été du Règlement +de 1899) pour être mieux placée dans une convention nouvelle, +où d'autres textes viendraient la compléter.'</p> + +<p>Ullmann, <i>Völkerrecht</i>, 2nd ed. 1908, p. 474, says:—</p> + +<p>'Auch der Rechtsverkehr wird durch den Ausbruch des Krieges +nicht unterbrochen oder gehemmt. Die nach Landesrecht frueher +uebliche zeitweise Aufhebung der Klagbarkeit vom Schuldverbindlichkeiten +des Staates oder eines Angehörigen gegen Angehörige +des Feindes ist durch Artikel 23(h) untersagt.'</p> + +<p>Wehberg, <i>Das Beuterecht im Land- und Seekriege</i>, 1909, pp. 5 +and 6 says:—</p> + +<p>'Article 46 Absatz 2 bestimmt:—"Das Privateigentum darf +nicht eingezogen werden." In konsequenter Durchführung dieses +Satzes bestimmt der auf deutschen Antrag 1907 hinzugefügte +Article 23(h):—"Untersagt ist die Aufhebung oder zeitweilige +Ausserkraftsetzung der Rechte und Forderungen von Angehoerigen +der Gegenpartei oder der Ausschliessung ihrer Klagbarkeit."'</p> + +<p>Whittuck, <i>International Documents</i>, London 1908, Introduction +p. xxvii, says—'In Article 23(h) it is prohibited to declare abolished, +suspended or inadmissible in a court of law the rights and actions +of the nationals of the other belligerent which is a development +of the principle that the private property of the subjects of a belligerent +is not subject to confiscation. This new prohibition if accepted +by this country would necessitate some changes in our municipal +law.'</p> + +<p>Holland, <i>The Laws of War on Land</i>, 1908, says on p. 5 that:—'Article +23(h) seems to require the Signatory Powers to the convention +concerned to legislate for the abolition of an enemy's disability +to sustain a <i>persona standi in judicio</i>.' (See also Holland, +<i>loco citato</i>, p. 44, where he expresses his doubts concerning the +interpretation of Article 23(h).)</p> + +<p>Bordwell, <i>The Law of War between Belligerents</i>, Chicago 1908, +recognises on page 210 the fact that according to Article 23(h) an +alien enemy must now be allowed to sue in the courts of a belligerent, +and</p> + +<p>Gregory, Professor in the University of Iowa, who reviews Bordwell's +work in the <i>American Journal of International Law</i>, Volume 3 +(1909), page 788, takes up the same standpoint.</p> + +<p>The only author who interprets Article 23(h) in a different way<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span> +is General Davis, who in his <i>Elements of International Law</i>, 3rd +edition 1908, page 578, note 1, says:—</p> + +<p>'It is more than probable that this humane and commendable +purpose would fail of accomplishment if a military commander +conceived it to be within his authority to suspend or nullify their +operation, or to regard their application in certain cases as a matter +falling within his administrative discretion. Especially is this +true where a military officer refuses to receive well grounded complaints, +or declines to receive demands for redress, in respect to the +acts or conduct of the troops under his command, from persons +subject to the jurisdiction of the enemy who find themselves, for +the time being, in the territory which he holds in military occupation. +To provide against such a contingency it was deemed wise to add an +appropriate declaratory clause to the prohibition of Article 23.'</p> + +<p>It is very unfortunate that the book of General Davis is not at +all known on the Continent, and that therefore none of the continental +authors have any knowledge of the fact that a divergent +interpretation from their own of Article 23(h) is being preferred +by an American author.</p> + +<p>It is likewise very unfortunate that neither the English Bluebook +on the Second Hague Peace Conference (see Parliamentary +Papers, Miscellaneous No. 4, 1907, page 104) nor the official minutes +of the proceedings of the Conference, edited by the Dutch Government, +give any such information concerning the construction of +Article 23(h) as could assist a jurist in forming an opinion regarding +the correct interpretation.</p> + +<p>It is, however, of importance to take notice of the fact that Article +23(h) is an addition to Article 23 which was made on the proposition +of Germany, and that Germany prefers an interpretation of Article +23(h) which would seem to coincide with the interpretation preferred +by all the continental writers. This becomes clearly apparent +from the German <i>Weissbuch ueber die Ergebnisse der im Jahre 1907 +in Haag abgehaltenen Friedensconferenz</i>, which contains on page 7 +the following:—</p> + +<p>'Der Artikel 23 hat gleichfalls auf deutschen Antrag zwei wichtige +Zusätze erhalten. Durch den ersten wird der Grundsatz der Unverletzlichkeit +des Privateigenthumes auch auf dem Gebiete der Forderungsrechte +anerkannt. Nach der Gesetzgebung einzelner Staaten +soll nämlich der Krieg die Folge haben, dass die Schuldverbindlichkeiten +des Staates oder seiner Angehörigen gegen Angehörige +des Feindes aufgehoben oder zeitweilig ausser Kraft gesetzt oder<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span> +wenigstens von der Klagbarkeit ausgeschlossen werden. Solche +Vorschriften werden nun durch den Artikel 23 Abs. 1 unter h für +unzulässig erklärt.'</p> + +<p>However this may be, the details given above show sufficiently +that a divergent interpretation of Article 23(h) from the old English +rule is prevalent on the Continent, and is to some extent also accepted +by English and American Authorities, and it is for this reason that I +would ask whether His Majesty's Government consider that the old +English rule is no longer in force.</p> + +<p class="signing">I have, &c.,<br /> +(Signed) L. OPPENHEIM.</p> + +<h4>LETTER FROM THE FOREIGN OFFICE TO THE +PRESENT WRITER.</h4> + +<div class="bk2"><p class="p5"><span class="smcap">Foreign Office</span>,</p> +<p class="td2"><i>March 27, 1911</i>.</p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sir</span>,—</p> + +<p>I am directed by Secretary Sir E. Grey to thank you +for your letter of February 28th, and for drawing his attention +to the misconceptions which appear to prevail so largely among +the continental writers on international law with regard to the +purport and effect of Article 23(h) of the Convention of October 18th, +1907, respecting the laws and customs of war on land.</p> + +<p>It seems very strange that jurists of the standing of those from +whose writings you quote could have attributed to the article in +question the meaning and effect they have given it if they had +studied the general scheme of the instrument in which it finds a +place.</p> + +<p>The provision is inserted at the end of an article dealing with the +prohibited modes of warfare. It forms part of Chapter I. of Section +II. of the Regulations annexed to the Convention. The title of +Chapter I. is 'Means of injuring the enemy, sieges and bombardment': +and if the article itself is examined it will be seen to deal +with such matters as employing poison or poisoned weapons, refusing +quarter, use of treachery and the unnecessary destruction of private +property. Similarly the following articles (24 to 28) all deal with +the restrictions which the nations felt it incumbent upon them from<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span> +a sense of humanity to place upon the conduct of their armed forces +in the actual prosecution of military operations.</p> + +<p>The Regulation in which these articles figure is itself merely +an annex to the Convention which alone forms the contractual +obligation between the parties, and the engagement which the +parties to the Convention have undertaken is (Article 1) to 'issue +instructions to their armed land forces in conformity with the +Regulations respecting the Law and Customs of war on land.'</p> + +<p>This makes it abundantly clear that the purpose and scope of +the Regulations is limited to the proceedings of the armies in the +field; those armies are under the orders of the commanders, and +the Governments are bound to issue instructions to those commanders +to act in accordance with the Regulations. That is all. There is +nothing in the Convention or in the Regulations dealing with the +rights or the status of the non-combatant individuals, whether of +enemy nationality or domiciled in enemy territory. They are, of +course, if inhabitants of the theatre of war, affected by the provisions +of the Regulations because they are individuals who are +affected by the military operations, and in a sense a regulation which +forbids a military commander from poisoning a well gives a non-combatant +inhabitant a right or a quasi-right not to have his well +poisoned, but his rights against his neighbours, his relations with +private individuals, whether of his own or of enemy nationality, +remain untouched by this series of rules for the conduct of warfare +on land.</p> + +<p>Turning now to the actual wording of Article 23(h) it will be +seen that it begins with the wording 'to declare.' It is particularly +forbidden 'to <i>declare</i> abolished, &c.' This wording necessarily +contemplates the issue of some proclamation or notification purporting +to abrogate or to change rights previously existing and +which would otherwise have continued to exist, and in view of +Article I of the Convention this hypothetical proclamation must have +been one which it was assumed the commander of the army would +issue; consequently, stated broadly, the effect of Article 23(h) is +that a commander in the field is forbidden to attempt to terrorise +the inhabitants of the theatre of war by depriving them of existing +opportunities of obtaining relief to which they are entitled in respect +of private claims.</p> + +<p>Sir E. Grey is much obliged to you for calling his attention to +the extract which you quote from the German White Book. This +extract may be translated as follows:—'Article 23 has also received<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span> +on German proposal two weighty additions. By the first the fundamental +principle of the inviolability of private property in the +domain of legal claims is recognised. According to the legislation +of individual states, war has the result of extinguishing or temporarily +suspending, or at least of suppressing the liability of the state or its +nationals to be sued by nationals of the enemy. These prescriptions +have now been declared inadmissible by Article 23(h).'</p> + +<p>The original form of the addition to Article 23 which the German +delegates proposed was as follows: 'de déclarer éteintes, suspendues +ou non recevables les réclamations privées de ressortissants de la +Partie adverse' (see procès-verbal of the 2nd meeting of the 1st +sub-Committee of the 2nd Committee, 10th July, 1907).</p> + +<p>There is nothing to show that any explanation was vouchsafed +to the effect that the proposed addition to the article was intended +to mean more than its wording necessarily implied, though there +is a statement by one of the German delegates in the procès-verbal +of the 1st meeting of the 1st sub-Committee of the 2nd Committee, +on July 3rd, which in all probability must have referred to this +particular amendment, though the procès-verbal does not render +it at all clear; nor is the statement itself free from ambiguity. An +amendment was suggested and accepted at the second meeting to +add the words 'en justice' after 'non recevables,' and in this form +the sub-article was considered by an examining committee, was +accepted and incorporated in Article 23, and brought before and +accepted by the Conference in its 4th Plenary Sitting on the 17th +August, 1907.</p> + +<p>The subsequent alteration in the wording must have been made +by the Drafting Committee, but cannot have been considered to +affect the substance of the provision, as in the 10th Plenary Sitting +on October 17th, 1907, the reporter of the Drafting Committee, +in dealing with the verbal amendments made in this Convention, +merely said, 'En ce qui concerne le règlement lui-même, je n'appellerai +pas votre attention sur les différentes modifications de style sans +importance que nous y avons introduites.'</p> + +<p>Nor is there anything to indicate any such far-reaching interpretation +as the German White Book suggests in the report which +accompanied the draft text of the Convention when it was brought +before the Plenary Sitting of the Conference (Annex A. to 4th +Plenary Sitting). It merely states that the addition is regarded as +embodying in very happy terms a consequence of the principles +accepted in 1899.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span></p> + +<p>The result appears to Sir E. Grey to be that neither the wording +nor the context nor the circumstances attending the introduction +of the provision which now figures as Article 23(h) support the +interpretation which the writers you quote place upon it and which +the German White Book endorses.</p> + +<p>Sir E. Grey notices that, in the extract you quote, Monsieur +Politis, after placing his own interpretation upon the article, remarks +that it is quite foreign to the hypothesis of the occupation +of territory and ought to be removed from the Regulations and +turned into a Convention by itself. If this interpretation were +correct, this remark of Monsieur Politis is certainly true: but the +fact that the provision appears where it does should have suggested +to Monsieur Politis that it does not bear the interpretation he puts +upon it.</p> + +<p>Nor does it appear to Sir E. Grey that the provision conflicts with +the principle of the English common law that an enemy subject +is not entitled to bring an action in the courts to sustain a contract, +commerce with enemy subjects being illegal.</p> + +<p>That principle operates automatically on the outbreak of war, +it requires no declaration by the Government, still less by a commander +in the field, to bring it into operation. It is a principle +which applies equally whether the war is being waged on land or +sea, and which is applied in all the courts and not merely in those +within the field of the operations of the military commanders.</p> + +<p>The whole question of the effect of war upon the commerce of +private persons may require reconsideration in the future; the old +rules may be scarcely consistent with the requirements or the conditions +of modern commerce; but a modification of those rules is +not one to which His Majesty's Government could be a party except +after careful enquiry and consideration, and, when made at all, +it must be done by a convention that applies to war both on land +and sea.</p> + +<p>They certainly have not become parties to any such modification +by agreeing to a convention which relates only to the instructions +they are to give the commanders of their armed forces, and which +is limited to war on land.</p> + +<p class="signing">I am, &c.,<br /> +(Signed) F. A. CAMPBELL.</p> + +<hr /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span></p> +<h2><span class="smcap">Third Lecture</span><br /> +ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE AND MEDIATION +WITHIN THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS</h2> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span></p> +<h3>SYNOPSIS</h3> + +<div class="fss"><p>I. Administration of Justice within the League is a question of +International Courts, but it is incorrect to assert that International +Legislation necessitates the existence of International Courts.</p> + +<p>II. The Permanent Court of Arbitration created by the First +Hague Peace Conference.</p> + +<p>III. The difficulties connected with International Administration +of Justice by International Courts.</p> + +<p>IV. The necessity for a Court of Appeal above the International +Court of First Instance.</p> + +<p>V. The difficulties connected with the setting up of International +Courts of Justice.</p> + +<p>VI. Details of a scheme which recommends itself because it +distinguishes between the Court as a whole and the several Benches +which would be called upon to decide the cases.</p> + +<p>VII. The advantages of the recommended scheme.</p> + +<p>VIII. A necessary provision for so-called complex cases of dispute.</p> + +<p>IX. A necessary provision with regard to the notorious clause +<i>rebus sic stantibus</i>.</p> + +<p>X. The two starting points for a satisfactory proposal concerning +International Mediation by International Councils of Conciliation. +Article 8 of the Hague Convention concerning Pacific Settlement +of International disputes. The Permanent International Commissions +of the Bryan Peace Treaties.</p> + +<p>XI. Details of a scheme which recommends itself for the establishment +of International Councils of Conciliation.</p> + +<p>XII. The question of disarmament.</p> + +<p>XIII. The assertion that States renounce their sovereignty by +entering into the League.</p> + +<p>XIV. Conclusion: Can it be expected that, in case of a great +conflict of interests, all the members of the League will faithfully +carry out their engagements?</p></div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span></p> + +<h3>THE LECTURE</h3> + +<p>I. My last lecture dealt with the organisation of +a League of Nations and International Legislation +by the League. To-day I want to draw your attention +to International Administration of Justice and +International Mediation within the League.</p> + +<p>I begin with International Administration of +Justice which, of course, is a question of International +Courts of Justice. Hitherto, although +International Legislation has been to some extent +in existence, no International Courts have been +established before which States in dispute have +been compelled to appear. Now there is no doubt +that International Legislation loses in value if there +are no arrangements for International Administration +of Justice by independent and permanent +International Courts. Yet it is incorrect to assert, +although it is frequently done, that one may not +speak of legislation and a law created by legislation +without the existence of Courts to administer such +law.</p> + +<p>Why is this assertion incorrect? Because the +function of Courts is to decide <i>controversial</i> questions +of law or of fact in case the respective parties cannot +agree concerning them. However, in most cases +the law is not in jeopardy, and its commands are +carried out by those concerned without any necessity +for a Court to declare the law. Modern International +Law has been in existence for several hundred +years, and its commands have in most cases been<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span> +complied with in the absence of International Courts. +On the other hand, there is no doubt that, if controversies +arise about a question of law or a question +of fact, the authority of the law can be successfully +vindicated only by the verdict of a Court. And +it is for this reason that no highly developed Community +can exist for long without Courts of Justice.</p> + +<p>II. The Community of civilised States did not, +until the end of the nineteenth century, possess any +permanent institution which made the administration +of international justice possible. When States +were in conflict and, instead of having recourse to +arms, resolved to have the dispute peaceably settled +by an award, in every case they agreed upon so-called +arbitration, and they nominated one or more +arbitrators, whom they asked to give a verdict. +For this reason, it was an epoch-making step forward +when the First Peace Conference of 1899 agreed +upon the institution of a Permanent Court of Arbitration, +and a code of rules for the procedure before +this Court. Although the term 'Permanent Court +of Arbitration,' as applied to the institution +established by the First Hague Peace Conference, +is only a euphemism, since actually the Court concerned +is not a permanent one and the members of +the Court have in every case to be nominated by +the parties, there is in existence, firstly, a permanent +panel of persons from which the arbitrators may be +selected; secondly, a permanent office at the Hague; +and, thirdly, a code of procedure before the Court. +Thereby an institution has been established which +is always at hand in case the parties in conflict want<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span> +to make use of it; whereas in former times parties +in conflict had to negotiate a long time in order +to set up the machinery for arbitration. And the +short time of twenty years has fully justified +the expectations aroused by the institution of the +Permanent Court of Arbitration, for a good number +of cases have been brought before it and settled to +the satisfaction of the parties concerned.</p> + +<p>And the Second Hague Peace Conference of 1907 +contemplated further steps by agreeing upon a +treaty concerning the establishment of an International +Court of Appeal in Prize Cases, and upon +a draft treaty concerning a really Permanent +International Court of Justice side by side with +the existing Court of Arbitration. Although neither +of these contemplated International Courts has +been established, there is no doubt that, if after +the present war a League of Nations becomes a +reality, one or more International Courts of Justice +will surely be established, although the existing +Permanent Court of Arbitration may remain in +being.</p> + +<p>III. But just as regards International Legislation, +I must warn you not to imagine that International +Administration of Justice by International +Courts is an easy matter. It is in fact full of +difficulties of many kinds.</p> + +<p>The peculiar character of International Law; +the rivalry between the different schools of international +jurists, namely the Naturalists, Positivists, +and Grotians; the question of language; the +peculiarities of the systems of law of the different<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span> +States, of their constitutions, and many other difficulties, +entail the danger that International Courts +may become the arena of national jealousies, of +empty talk, and of political intrigues, instead +of being pillars of international justice.</p> + +<p>Everything depends upon what principles will +guide the States in their selection of the individuals +whom they appoint as members of International +Courts. Not diplomatists, not politicians, but only +men ought to be appointed who have had a training +in law in general, and in International Law in particular; +men who are linguists, knowing, at any +rate, the French language besides their own; men +who possess independence of character and are free +from national prejudices of every kind. There is +no doubt that, under present conditions and circumstances +of international life, the institution of International +Courts represents an unheard of experiment. +There is, however, likewise no doubt that <i>now</i> is +the time for the experiment to be made, and I believe +that the experiment will be successful, provided +the several States are careful in the appointment of +the judges.</p> + +<p>IV. And it must be emphasised that an International +Court of Appeal above the one or several +International Courts is a necessity. Just as Municipal +Courts of Justice, so International Courts of +Justice are not infallible. If the States are to be +compelled to have their judicial disputes settled +by International Administration of Justice, there +must be a possibility of bringing an appeal from +lower International Courts to a Higher Court. It is<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span> +only in this way that in time a body of International +Case Law can grow up, which will be equivalent +in its influence upon the practice of the States to +the municipal case law of the different States.</p> + +<p>V. I have hitherto considered in a general way +only the difficulties of International Administration +of Justice; I have not touched upon the particular +difficulties connected with the setting up and manning +of International Courts. If the several States could +easily agree upon, say, five qualified men as judges +of a Court of First Instance, and upon, say, seven +qualified men as judges of a Court of Appeal, there +would be no difficulty whatever in setting up these +two Courts. And perhaps some generations hence +the time may come when such an agreement will +be possible. In our time it cannot be expected, +and here therefore lies the great difficulty in the +way of setting up and manning International Courts +of Justice; because there is no doubt that each State +will claim the right to appoint at least one man of +its own choice to sit as judge in the International +Court or Courts. And since there are about fifty +or more civilised independent States in existence, +the International Court would comprise fifty or +more members.</p> + +<p>Now why would the several States claim a right +to appoint at least one man of their own choice as +judge? They would do this because they desire +to have a representative of their own general legal +views in the Court. It is a well-known fact that +not only the legal systems which prevail in the +several States differ, but also that there are differences<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span> +concerning the fundamental conceptions of justice, +law, procedure, and evidence. Each State fears +that an International Court will create a practice +fundamentally divergent from its general legal +views, unless there is at least one representative of +its own general legal views sitting in the Court.</p> + +<p>I think that in spite of everything the difficulty +is not insurmountable provided a scheme for an +International Court which follows closely the model +of Municipal Courts is not insisted upon. Just as +the organisation of a League of Nations cannot follow +the model of the organisation of a State, so the +attempt to set up an International Court must not +aim at following closely the model of Municipal +Courts. What is required is an institution which +secures the settlement of judicial international +disputes by giving judgments on the basis of law. +I think this demand can be satisfied by a scheme +which would meet both the claim of each State +to nominate one judge and the necessity not to +overcrowd the Bench which decides each dispute.</p> + +<p>VI. The scheme which I should like to recommend +is one which distinguishes between the Court as a +whole and the several Benches which would be +called upon to decide the several cases. It is as +follows:</p> + +<p>The Court as a whole to consist of as many judges +as there are members of the League, each member +to appoint one judge and one deputy judge who +would take the place of the judge in case of illness +or death or other cause of absence. The President, +the Vice-President, and, say, twelve or fourteen<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span> +members to constitute the Permanent Bench of the +Court and therefore to be resident the whole year +round at the Hague. Half of the members of this +Permanent Bench of the Court to be appointed by the +Great Powers—each Great Power to appoint one—and +the other half of the members to be appointed +by the minor Powers. Perhaps the Scandinavian +Powers might agree upon the nomination of one +member; Holland and Spain and Portugal upon +another; Belgium, Switzerland, and Luxemburg +upon a third; the Balkan States upon a fourth; +Argentina, Brazil, and Chile upon a fifth; and so on. +Anyhow, some arrangement would have to be made +according to which the minor Powers unite upon the +appointment of half the number of the Permanent +Bench.</p> + +<p>If a judicial dispute arises between two States, +the case to go in the first instance before a Bench +comprising the two judges appointed by the two +States in dispute and a President who, as each case +arises, is to be selected by the Permanent Bench +of the Court from the members of this Bench. This +Court of First Instance having given its judgment, +each party to have a right of appeal. The appeal +to go before the Permanent Bench at the Hague, +which is to give judgment with a quorum of six +judges with the addition of those judges who served +as the Bench of First Instance. The right of appeal +to exist only on questions of law and not on questions +of fact.</p> + +<p>Decisions of the Appeal Court to be binding precedents +for itself and for any Courts of First Instance.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span> +But should the Appeal Court desire to go back on a +former decision of law, this to be possible only at +a meeting of the Court comprising at least twelve +members of the Permanent Bench.</p> + +<p>VII. The proposal which I have just sketched, +and which will need to be worked out in detail if +it is to be realised, offers the following advantages:</p> + +<p>Every case would in the first instance be decided +by a small Bench which would enjoy the confidence +of both parties because they would have their own +judge in the Court. This point is of particular importance +with regard to the mode of taking evidence +and making clear the facts; but is likewise of importance +on account of the divergence of fundamental +legal views and the like.</p> + +<p>Since the Court of Appeal would only decide points +of law, the facts as elucidated by the Bench of First +Instance would remain settled. But the existence of +the Court of Appeal would enable the parties to re-argue +questions of law with all details. The fact that +six of the Bench which serves as a Court of Appeal +are members of the Permanent Bench would guarantee +a thorough reconsideration of the points of +law concerned, and likewise the maintenance and +sequence of tradition in International Administration +of Justice.</p> + +<p>Again, the fact that the Court of Appeal is to +comprise, besides six members of the Permanent +Bench, those three judges who sat as the Bench +of First Instance would guarantee that the judges +appointed by the States in dispute could again bring +into play any particular views of law they may hold.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span></p> + +<p>VIII. This is the outline of my scheme for the +establishment and manning of the International +Court of Justice. But before I leave the subject, +I must say a few words concerning two important +points which almost all other schemes for the establishment +of an International Court overlook. Firstly, +the necessity to make provision for what I should +like to call complex cases of dispute; namely, cases +which are justiciable but in which, besides the +question of law, there is at the same time involved +a vital political principle or claim. Take the case +of a South American State entering into an agreement +with a non-American State to lease to it a +coaling station: this case is justiciable, but besides +the question of law there is a political claim involved +in it, namely, the Monroe doctrine of the United +States. Unless provision be made for the settlement +of such complex cases, the League of Nations +will not be a success, for it might well happen that +a case touches vital political interests in such a way +as not to permit a State to have it settled by a mere +juristic decision.</p> + +<p>Now my proposal to meet such complex cases is +that when a party objects to a settlement of a case +on mere juristic principles, although the other party +maintains that it is a justiciable case, the Bench +which is to serve as Bench of First Instance shall +investigate the matter with regard to the question +whether the case is more political than legal in +nature. If the Court decides the question in the +negative, then the same Court shall give judgment +on the dispute; but, if the Court decides the question<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span> +in the affirmative, then the case shall be referred by +the Court to the International Council of Conciliation. +Whatever the decision of the Bench of First +Instance may be, each party shall have the right of +appeal to the Permanent Bench which serves as the +Court of Appeal.</p> + +<p>IX. The other point which I desire to mention +before I leave the subject of International Administration +of Justice concerns the notorious principle +<i>conventio omnis intelligitur rebus sic stantibus</i>. You +know that almost all publicists and also almost +all Governments assert the existence of a customary +rule according to which a vital change of circumstances +after ratification of a treaty may be of such +a kind as to justify a party in demanding to be +released either from the whole treaty or from certain +obligations stipulated in it. But the meaning of +the term 'vital change of circumstances' is elastic, +and there is therefore great danger that the principle +<i>conventio omnis intelligitur rebus sic stantibus</i> will +be abused for the purpose of hiding the violation +of treaties behind the shield of law. This danger +will remain so long as there is no International +Court in existence which, on the motion of one of +the contracting parties, could set aside the treaty +obligation whose fulfilment has become so oppressive +that in justice the obliged party might ask to be +released. Now, as the League of Nations is to set +up an International Court of Justice, my proposal +is that the Court should be declared competent to +give judgment on the claim of a party to a treaty +to be released from its obligations on account of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span> +vital change of circumstances. Of course the case +would go before that Bench of the Court which is to +serve as the Court of First Instance, and an appeal +would lie to the Permanent Bench which serves +as the Court of Appeal.</p> + +<p>X. Having given you the outlines of a scheme +concerning International Administration of Justice, +I now turn to International Mediation by International +Councils of Conciliation.</p> + +<p>For a satisfactory proposal concerning International +Councils of Conciliation two starting points +offer themselves. One starting point is the special +form of mediation recommended by Article 8 of +the Hague Convention concerning the pacific settlement +of international disputes. The following is +the text of this Article 8:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>'The Signatory Powers are agreed in recommending the application, +when circumstances allow, of special mediation in the following +form:—</p> + +<p>'In case of a serious difference endangering peace, the contending +States choose respectively a Power, to which they intrust the mission +of entering into direct communication with the Power chosen on +the other side, with the object of preventing the rupture of pacific +relations.</p> + +<p>'For the period of this mandate, the term of which, in default +of agreement to the contrary, cannot exceed thirty days, the States +at variance cease from all direct communication on the subject of +the dispute, which is regarded as referred exclusively to the mediating +Powers. These Powers shall use their best efforts to settle the +dispute.</p> + +<p>'In case of a definite rupture of pacific relations, these Powers +remain jointly charged with the task of taking advantage of any +opportunity to restore peace.'</p></div> + +<p>The second starting point is supplied by the Permanent +International Commissions of the so-called<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span> +Bryan Peace Treaties concluded in 1913-14 by the +United States of America with a number of other +States. These peace treaties are not in every point +identical, but of interest to us here are the clauses +according to which Permanent International Commissions +are set up to serve as Councils of Conciliation. +The following is the text of the three articles +concerned of the treaty between the United States +and Great Britain of September 15, 1914:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Art. I. 'The High Contracting Parties agree that all disputes +between them, of every nature whatsoever, other than disputes the +settlement of which is provided for and in fact achieved under +existing agreements between the High Contracting Parties, shall, +when diplomatic methods of adjustment have failed, be referred for +investigation and report to a permanent International Commission, +to be constituted in the manner prescribed in the next succeeding +article; and they agree not to declare war or begin hostilities during +such investigation and before the report is submitted.'</p> + +<p>Art. II. 'The International Commission shall be composed of +five members, to be appointed as follows: One member shall be +chosen from each country, by the Government thereof; one member +shall be chosen by each Government from some third country; the +fifth member shall be chosen by common agreement between the +two Governments, it being understood that he shall not be a citizen +of either country. The expenses of the Commission shall be paid +by the two Governments in equal proportions.'</p> + +<p>'The International Commission shall be appointed within six +months after the exchange of the ratifications of this treaty; and +vacancies shall be filled according to the manner of the original +appointment.'</p> + +<p>Art. III. 'In case the High Contracting Parties shall have failed +to adjust a dispute by diplomatic methods, they shall at once refer +it to the International Commission for investigation and report. +The International Commission may, however, spontaneously by +unanimous agreement offer its services to that effect, and in such +case it shall notify both Governments and request their co-operation +in the investigation.'</p></div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span></p> + +<p>Keeping in view the special form of mediation +recommended by Article 8 of the Hague Convention +concerning the Pacific Settlement of International +Disputes and the stipulations of the Bryan Peace +Treaties concerning Permanent International Commissions, +we can reach a satisfactory solution of +the problem of International Mediation if we take +into consideration the two reasons why a League of +Nations must stipulate the compulsion of its members +to bring non-justiciable disputes before a Council +of Conciliation previous to resorting to hostilities. +These reasons are, firstly, that war in future shall +not be declared without a previous attempt to have +the dispute peaceably settled, and, secondly, that +war in future shall not break out like a bolt from +the blue.</p> + +<p>XI. My proposal concerning International Councils +of Conciliation is the following:</p> + +<p>Every member of the League shall appoint for a +term of years—say five or ten—two conciliators +and two deputy conciliators from among their own +subjects, and one conciliator and one deputy conciliator +from among the subjects of some other +State. Now when a non-justiciable dispute arises +between two States which has not been settled by +diplomatic means, the three conciliators of each +party in dispute shall meet to investigate the matter, +to report thereon, and to propose, if possible, a +settlement.</p> + +<p>According to this proposal there would be in +existence a number of Councils of Conciliation equal +to half the number of the members of the League.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span> +Whenever a dispute arises, the Permanent Council +of Conciliation—with which I shall deal presently—shall +appoint a Chairman from amongst its own +members. The Council thus constituted shall investigate +the case, report on it, send a copy to +each party in dispute and to the Permanent Council +of Conciliation.</p> + +<p>The <i>Permanent</i> Council of Conciliation should be +a <i>small</i> Council to be established by each of the +Great Powers appointing one conciliator and one +deputy conciliator for a period of—say—five or ten +years. The reason why only the Great Powers +should be represented in the Permanent Council of +Conciliation at the Hague is that naturally, in case +coercion is to be resorted to against a State which +begins war without having previously submitted the +dispute to a Council of Conciliation, the Great Powers +will be chiefly concerned. This Permanent Council +of Conciliation would have to watch the political +life of the members of the League and communicate +with all the Governments of the members in case +the peace of the world were endangered by the +attitude of one of the members; for instance by one +or more of the members arming excessively. The +Council would likewise be competent to draw the +attention of States involved in a dispute to the +fact that they ought to bring it before either the +International Court of Justice or their special Council +of Conciliation.</p> + +<p>This proposal of mine concerning mediation within +the League of Nations is, of course, sketchy and +would need working out in detail if one were thinking<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span> +of preparing a full plan for its realisation. However +that may be, my proposal concerning a number +of Councils of Conciliation has the advantage that +non-justiciable disputes would in each case be +investigated and reported on by conciliators who +have once for all been appointed by the States in +dispute and who therefore possess their confidence. +On the other hand, the proposed Permanent Council +of Conciliation would guarantee to the Great Powers +that important influence which is due to them on +account of the fact that they would be chiefly concerned +in case economic, military, or naval measures +had to be resorted to against a recalcitrant member +of the League.</p> + +<p>XII. Having discussed International Mediation +by International Councils of Conciliation, I must +now turn to two questions which I have hitherto +purposely omitted, although in the eyes of many +people they stand in the forefront of interest, +namely, firstly, <i>disarmament</i> as a consequence of +the peaceable settlement of disputes by an International +Court of Justice and International Councils +of Conciliation, and, secondly, the question of the +<i>surrender of sovereignty</i> which it is asserted is involved +by the entrance of any State into the proposed +League of Nations.</p> + +<p>Now as regards disarmament, I have deliberately +abstained from mentioning it hitherto, although it +is certainly a question of the greatest importance. +The reason for my abstention is a very simple one. +I have always maintained that disarmament can +neither diminish the number of wars nor abolish<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span> +war altogether, but that, if the number of wars +diminishes or if war be abolished altogether, disarmament +will follow. There is no doubt that when +once the new League of Nations is in being, war will +occur much more rarely than hitherto. For this +reason disarmament will <i>ipso facto</i> follow the establishment +of a League of Nations, and the details +of such disarmament are matters which will soon +be solved when once the new League has become +a reality. Yet I must emphasise the fact that +disarmament is not identical with the total abolition +of armies and navies. The possibility must always +be kept in view that one or more members of the +League will be recalcitrant, and that then the other +members must unite their forces against them. +And there must likewise be kept in view the possibility +of a war between two members of the League +on account of a political dispute in which mediation +by the International Councils of Conciliation was +unsuccessful. Be that as it may, it is certain that +in time disarmament can take place to a very great +extent, and it is quite probable that large standing +armies based on conscription might everywhere be +abolished and be replaced by militia.</p> + +<p>XIII. Let me now turn to the question of +sovereignty. Is the assertion really true that States +renounce their sovereignty by entering into the +League? The answer depends entirely upon the +conception of sovereignty with which one starts. +If sovereignty were absolutely unfettered liberty of +action, a loss of sovereignty would certainly be +involved by membership of the League, because<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span> +every member submits to the obligation never to +resort to arms on account of a judicial dispute, and +in case of a political dispute to resort to arms only +after having given an opportunity of mediation to +an International Council of Conciliation. But in +fact sovereignty does not mean absolutely boundless +liberty of action; and moreover sovereignty +has at no time been a conception upon the contents +of which there has been general agreement.</p> + +<p>The term 'sovereignty' was introduced into political +science by Bodin in his celebrated work 'De +la République,' which appeared in 1577. Before +that time, the word <i>souverain</i> was used in France +for any political or other authority which was not +subordinate to any higher authority; for instance, +the highest Courts were called <i>cours souveraines</i>. +Now Bodin gave quite a new meaning to the old +term. Being under the influence and in favour of +the policy of centralisation initiated by Louis XI +of France (1461-1483), the founder of French absolutism, +Bodin defines sovereignty as the 'absolute +and perpetual power within a State.' However, +even Bodin was far from considering sovereignty to +give absolutely unfettered freedom of action, for +he conceded that sovereignty was restricted by the +commandments of God and by the rules of the +Law of Nature. Be that as it may, this conception +of sovereignty once introduced was universally +accepted; but at the same time the meaning of +the term became immediately a bone of contention +between the schools of publicists. And it is to be +taken into consideration that the science of politics<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span> +has learnt to distinguish between sovereignty of the +State and sovereignty of the agents who exercise +the sovereign powers of the State. According to +the modern view sovereignty is a natural attribute +of every independent State as a State; and +neither the monarch, nor Parliament, nor the people +can possess any sovereignty of their own. The +sovereignty of a monarch, or of a Parliament, or of +the whole people is not an original attribute of their +own, but derives from the sovereignty of the State +which is governed by them. It is outside the scope +of this lecture to give you a history of the conception +of sovereignty, it suffices to state the undeniable +fact that from the time when the term was first +introduced into political science until the present +day there has never been unanimity with regard +to its meaning, except that it is a synonym for +independence of all earthly authority.</p> + +<p>Now, do you believe that the independence of a +State is really infringed because it agrees never to +make war on account of a judicial dispute, and in +case of a political dispute not to resort to arms before +having given opportunity of mediation to International +Councils of Conciliation? Independence +is not boundless liberty of a State to do what it +likes, without any restriction whatever. The mere +fact that there is an International Law in existence +restricts the unbounded liberty of action of every +civilised State, because every State is prohibited +from interfering with the affairs of every other State. +The fact is that the independence of every State +finds its limitation in the independence of every<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span> +other State. And it is generally admitted that a +State can through conventions—such as a treaty +of alliance or of neutrality or others—enter into +many obligations which more or less restrict its +liberty of action. Independence is a question of +degree, and, therefore, it is also a question of degree +whether or no the independence of a State is vitally +encroached upon by a certain restriction. In my +opinion the independence of a State is as little +infringed by an agreement to submit all its judicial +disputes to the judgment of a Court and not to +resort to arms for a settlement, as the liberty of a +citizen is infringed because in a modern State he +can no longer resort to arms on account of a dispute +with a fellow citizen but must submit it to the +judgment of the Court.</p> + +<p>And even if it were otherwise, if the entrance of +a State into the new League of Nations did involve +an infringement of its sovereignty and independence, +humanity need not grieve over it. The Prussian +conception of the State as an end in itself and of +the authority of the State as something above +everything else and divine—a conception which +found support in the philosophy of Hegel and his +followers—is adverse to the ideal of democracy +and constitutional government. Just as Henri IV +of France said 'La France vaut bien une messe,' +we may well say 'La paix du monde vaut bien la +perte de l'indépendance de l'état.'</p> + +<p>XIV. I have come to the end of this course of +lectures, but before we part I should like, in conclusion, +to touch upon a question which has<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span> +frequently been put with regard to the proposal of +a new League of Nations:—Can it really be expected +that, in case of a great conflict of interests, all the +members of the League will faithfully carry out +their engagements? Will the new League stand the +strain of such conflicts as shake the very existence +of States and Nations? Will the League really +stand the test of History?</p> + +<p>History teaches that many a State has entered +into engagements with the intention of faithfully +carrying them out, but, when a grave conflict arose, +matters assumed a different aspect, with the consequence +that the engagements remained unfulfilled. +Will it be different in the future? Can the Powers +which enter into the League of Nations trust to the +security which it promises? Can they be prepared +to disarm, although there is no guarantee that, +when grave conflicts of vital interests arise, all +the members of the League will faithfully stand by +their engagements?</p> + +<p>These are questions which it is difficult to +answer because no one can look into the future. +We can only say that, if really constitutional and +democratic government all the world over makes +international politics honest and reliable and excludes +secret treaties, all the chances are that the members +of the League will see that their true interests and +their lasting welfare are intimately connected with +the necessity of fulfilling the obligations to which +they have submitted by their entrance into the +League. The upheaval created by the present World +War, the many millions of lives sacrificed, and the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span> +enormous economic losses suffered during these years +of war, not only by the belligerents but also by all +neutrals, will be remembered for many generations +to come. It would therefore seem to be certain +that, while the memory of these losses in lives and +wealth lasts, all the members of the League will +faithfully carry out the obligations connected with +the membership of the League into which they enter +for the purpose of avoiding such a disaster as, like +a bolt from the blue, fell upon mankind by the +outbreak of the present war. On the other hand, I +will not deny that no one can guarantee the future; +that conflicts may arise which will shake the foundations +of the League of Nations; that the League may +fall to pieces; and that a disaster like the present +may again visit mankind. Our generation can only +do its best for the future, and it must be left to +succeeding generations to perpetuate the work +initiated by us.</p> + +<hr /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span></p> +<h2>INDEX</h2> + +<ul><li><span class="smcap">Administration</span> of Justice by International Courts, difficulties of, <a href="#Page_62">62</a>;<ul> +<li>maintenance of tradition of, <a href="#Page_67">67</a>;</li> +<li>permanent institution for the, <a href="#Page_61">61</a>.</li></ul></li> + +<li>Aims of the League of Nations defined, <a href="#Page_23">23</a>, <a href="#Page_28">28</a>, <a href="#Page_35">35-36</a>.</li> + +<li>Article 8 of the Hague Convention concerning the Pacific Settlement of International Disputes, <a href="#Page_70">70</a>.</li> + +<li>Article 23(h) of the Hague Regulations concerning Land Warfare, <a href="#Page_45">45-55</a>;<ul> +<li>controversy respecting interpretation of, <a href="#Page_45">45</a>;</li> +<li>correspondence respecting, with Foreign Office, <a href="#Page_48">48-55</a>.</li></ul></li> + +<li>Autocratic Government, <a href="#Page_11">11</a>.</li> +</ul> + +<ul><li><span class="smcap">Belgium</span>, <a href="#Page_37">37</a>, <a href="#Page_66">66</a>.</li> + +<li>Bodin, <a href="#Page_76">76</a>.</li> + +<li>Bonfils on Article 23(h) of the Hague Regulations concerning Land Warfare, <a href="#Page_49">49</a>.</li> + +<li>Bordwell on Article 23(h) of the Hague Regulations concerning Land Warfare, <a href="#Page_50">50</a>.</li> + +<li>British Empire, <a href="#Page_13">13</a>, <a href="#Page_20">20</a>.</li> + +<li>Bryan Peace Treaties, <a href="#Page_71">71</a>.</li> + +<li>Bryce, Lord, scheme of, <a href="#Page_36">36</a>.</li> +</ul> + +<ul><li><span class="smcap">Central Powers</span>, the, are they to become members of the League of Nations? <a href="#Page_17">17</a>, <a href="#Page_36">36</a>;<ul> +<li>necessity for utter defeat of, <a href="#Page_15">15</a>, <a href="#Page_37">37</a>.</li></ul></li> + +<li>Colonies, wars for the acquisition of, <a href="#Page_10">10</a>.</li> + +<li>Complex cases of dispute, how to settle, <a href="#Page_68">68</a>.</li> + +<li>Congress of Vienna, <a href="#Page_30">30</a>, <a href="#Page_42">42</a>.</li> + +<li>Constitutional Government, <a href="#Page_10">10</a>, <a href="#Page_11">11</a>;<ul> +<li>necessity for, <a href="#Page_19">19</a>.</li></ul></li> + +<li>Court of Appeal, International, <a href="#Page_66">66</a>, <a href="#Page_67">67</a>, <a href="#Page_69">69</a>;<ul> +<li>manning of, <a href="#Page_64">64</a>.</li></ul></li> + +<li>Court of Arbitration, establishment of International, <a href="#Page_61">61</a>.</li> + +<li>Court of First Instance, International, <a href="#Page_64">64</a>;<ul> +<li>manning of, <a href="#Page_66">66</a>.</li></ul></li> + +<li>Crucée, Emeric, <a href="#Page_9">9</a>.</li> +</ul> + +<ul><li><span class="smcap">Davis</span>, General, on Article 23(h) of the Hague Regulations concerning Land Warfare, <a href="#Page_51">51</a>.</li> + +<li>Democracy, <a href="#Page_10">10</a>, <a href="#Page_11">11</a>.</li> + +<li>Dickinson, scheme of Sir Willoughby, <a href="#Page_36">36</a>.</li> + +<li>Disarmament, <a href="#Page_21">21</a>, <a href="#Page_74">74</a>.</li> + +<li>Dubois, Pierre, <a href="#Page_8">8</a>.</li> + +<li>Dynastic wars, <a href="#Page_10">10</a>.</li> +</ul> + +<ul><li><span class="smcap">Engagements</span> of the members of the League of Nations, security for fulfilment of, <a href="#Page_79">79</a>.</li> + +<li>Equality, of States, <a href="#Page_33">33</a>, <a href="#Page_39">39</a>;<ul> +<li>of the votes at Hague Peace Conferences, <a href="#Page_38">38</a>.</li></ul></li> +</ul> + +<ul><li><span class="smcap">Family</span>, the, a product of natural development, <a href="#Page_10">10</a>.</li> + +<li>Family of Nations, political hegemony of the Great Powers within the, <a href="#Page_31">31</a>.</li> + +<li>Federal World State, A, <a href="#Page_18">18-20</a>;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span><ul> +<li>demanded by Pacifists, <a href="#Page_31">31</a>;</li> +<li>why not possible, <a href="#Page_19">19</a>.</li></ul></li> + +<li>Foreign Office, letter of, to Professor Oppenheim concerning Article 23(h), <a href="#Page_52">52-55</a>.</li> +</ul> + +<ul><li><span class="smcap">German</span> Confederation, civil war within the, <a href="#Page_32">32</a>.</li> + +<li>German Weissbuch on Article 23(h) of the Hague Regulations concerning Land Warfare, <a href="#Page_51">51</a>, <a href="#Page_54">54</a>, <a href="#Page_55">55</a>.</li> + +<li>Germany, is she to become a member of the League of Nations? <a href="#Page_17">17</a>, <a href="#Page_36">36</a>;<ul> +<li>necessity for the utter defeat of, <a href="#Page_15">15</a>, <a href="#Page_37">37</a>.</li></ul></li> + +<li>Great Powers, <a href="#Page_30">30</a>, <a href="#Page_66">66</a>;<ul> +<li>power and influence of the, <a href="#Page_29">29-31</a>.</li></ul></li> + +<li>Greece, city States of ancient, <a href="#Page_7">7</a>.</li> + +<li>Gregory on Article 23(h) of the Hague Regulations concerning Land Warfare, <a href="#Page_50">50</a>.</li> + +<li>Grey, Earl, <a href="#Page_5">5</a>, <a href="#Page_52">52</a>, <a href="#Page_53">53</a>, <a href="#Page_55">55</a>.</li> + +<li>Grotians, the School of, <a href="#Page_62">62</a>.</li> + +<li>Grotius, Hugo, <a href="#Page_9">9</a>.</li> +</ul> + +<ul><li><span class="smcap">Hague</span> Convention concerning the Pacific Settlement of International Disputes, Article 8 of, <a href="#Page_70">70</a>.</li> + +<li>Hague Peace Conferences, <a href="#Page_34">34</a>;<ul> +<li>method of legislating by, <a href="#Page_45">45</a>;</li> +<li>the work of, obstructed by some States, <a href="#Page_38">38</a>;</li> +<li>standing council of, proposed, <a href="#Page_39">39</a>;</li> +<li>starting point of organisation of League of Nations by, <a href="#Page_36">36</a>, <a href="#Page_39">39</a>;</li> +<li>votes of States of equal value at, <a href="#Page_38">38</a>.</li></ul></li> + +<li>Hague Regulations concerning Land Warfare, controversy respecting interpretation of Article 23(h) of, <a href="#Page_45">45</a>.</li> + +<li>Henry IV of France, <a href="#Page_9">9</a>, <a href="#Page_78">78</a>.</li> + +<li>Holland, Professor, on Article 23(h) of the Hague Regulations concerning Land Warfare, <a href="#Page_50">50</a>.</li> +</ul> + +<ul><li><span class="smcap">Independence</span> of States, what it is, <a href="#Page_33">33</a>, <a href="#Page_77">77</a>.</li> + +<li>International Army and Navy, why impossible, <a href="#Page_6">6</a>, <a href="#Page_18">18</a>, <a href="#Page_20">20-22</a>, <a href="#Page_41">41</a>.</li> + +<li>International Case Law, <a href="#Page_64">64</a>.</li> + +<li><a name="International_Council_of_Conciliation" id="International_Council_of_Conciliation"></a>International Council of Conciliation, <a href="#Page_28">28</a>, <a href="#Page_40">40</a>, <a href="#Page_69">69</a>;<ul> +<li>scheme for the establishment of, <a href="#Page_72">72-74</a>;</li> +<li>starting points for, <a href="#Page_70">70</a>.</li></ul></li> + +<li>International Court of Appeal, <a href="#Page_66">66</a>, <a href="#Page_67">67</a>;<ul> +<li>a necessity, <a href="#Page_63">63</a>;</li> +<li>manning of, <a href="#Page_64">64</a>.</li></ul></li> + +<li>International Court of First Instance, <a href="#Page_64">64</a>;<ul> +<li>manning of proposed bench to serve as, <a href="#Page_64">64</a>.</li></ul></li> + +<li>International Court of Justice, <a href="#Page_18">18</a>, <a href="#Page_28">28</a>, <a href="#Page_65">65-68</a>;<ul> +<li>manning of, <a href="#Page_65">65</a>;</li> +<li>proposed permanent bench of, <a href="#Page_65">65</a>, <a href="#Page_66">66</a>;</li> +<li>proposed special benches of, for different cases, <a href="#Page_66">66</a>.</li></ul></li> + +<li>International Courts, claims of all States in manning of, <a href="#Page_64">64</a>;<ul> +<li>difficulties of manning of, <a href="#Page_65">65</a>;</li> +<li>precedents of, <a href="#Page_64">64</a>.</li></ul></li> + +<li>International Executive, why impossible, <a href="#Page_19">19</a>, <a href="#Page_41">41</a>.</li> + +<li>International Government, why impossible, <a href="#Page_19">19</a>.</li> + +<li>International Law, a book law at present, <a href="#Page_43">43</a>;<ul> +<li>and League of Nations interdependent, <a href="#Page_6">6</a>, <a href="#Page_33">33</a>;</li> +<li>complied with often without Courts, <a href="#Page_60">60</a>;</li> +<li>grew by custom during Middle Ages, <a href="#Page_8">8</a>;</li> +<li>not in being in antiquity, <a href="#Page_6">6</a>;</li> +<li>progress of, <a href="#Page_33">33</a>, <a href="#Page_35">35</a>, <a href="#Page_38">38</a>;</li> +<li>universal and general, difference between, <a href="#Page_44">44</a>.</li></ul></li> + +<li>International Legislation, <a href="#Page_38">38</a>, <a href="#Page_41">41-48</a>;<ul> +<li>a by-product only in the past, <a href="#Page_42">42</a>;</li> +<li>difficulties of, created by conflicting interests of States, <a href="#Page_44">44</a>;</li> +<li>difficulties of, created by different methods of interpretation and construction, <a href="#Page_45">45</a>;</li> +<li>difficulties of, created by the fact that a majority vote cannot create a statute, <a href="#Page_44">44</a>;</li> +<li>difficulties of, created by the language question, <a href="#Page_43">43</a>;</li> +<li>meaning of the term, <a href="#Page_41">41</a>;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span></li> +<li>possible even without International Courts, <a href="#Page_42">42</a>, <a href="#Page_60">60</a>;</li> +<li>possible only by agreement of all the States, <a href="#Page_42">42</a>;</li> +<li>wide field open for, <a href="#Page_43">43</a>.</li></ul></li> + +<li>International Statutes, cannot be created by majority vote, <a href="#Page_44">44</a>;<ul> +<li>interpretation and construction of, <a href="#Page_45">45</a>;</li> +<li>what are? <a href="#Page_42">42</a>.</li></ul></li> + +<li>Internationalism, growth of, <a href="#Page_12">12</a>.</li> +</ul> + +<ul><li><span class="smcap">Law-making</span> treaties, what are? <a href="#Page_42">42</a>.</li> + +<li>'La France vaut bien une messe,' <a href="#Page_78">78</a>.</li> + +<li>League of Nations, <a href="#Page_3">3</a>, <a href="#Page_8">8</a>;<ul> +<li>aims defined, <a href="#Page_23">23</a>, <a href="#Page_28">28</a>, <a href="#Page_35">35-36</a>;</li> +<li>and International Law interdependent, <a href="#Page_6">6</a>;</li> +<li>career in a sense started already, <a href="#Page_8">8</a>, <a href="#Page_16">16</a>;</li> +<li>conception of, very old, <a href="#Page_6">6</a>;</li> +<li>demand for, universal, <a href="#Page_11">11</a>;</li> +<li>impossibility of state-like organisation of, <a href="#Page_36">36</a>;</li> +<li>no unanimity concerning its aims or organisation, <a href="#Page_18">18</a>;</li> +<li>organisation of, demanded, <a href="#Page_31">31</a>;</li> +<li>problems connected with, <a href="#Page_24">24</a>, <a href="#Page_28">28</a>;</li> +<li>seven principles of, which ought to be adopted, <a href="#Page_39">39-41</a>;</li> +<li>so-called, but League of States is meant, <a href="#Page_13">13</a>;</li> +<li>starting point of organisation of, <a href="#Page_33">33</a>, <a href="#Page_36">36</a>, <a href="#Page_39">39</a>;</li> +<li>constitution <i>sui generis</i> of, a necessity, <a href="#Page_22">22</a>, <a href="#Page_33">33</a>;</li> +<li>what is new in the now desired, <a href="#Page_11">11</a>;</li> +<li>when it would be an organised community, <a href="#Page_11">11</a>, <a href="#Page_34">34</a>.</li></ul></li> +</ul> + +<ul><li><span class="smcap">Marini</span>, Antoine, <a href="#Page_8">8</a>.</li> + +<li>Mediation, International. <i>See</i> <a href="#International_Council_of_Conciliation">International Council of Conciliation</a>.</li> + +<li>Militarism, conception of, <a href="#Page_15">15</a>;<ul> +<li>Prussian, <a href="#Page_16">16</a>.</li></ul></li> +</ul> + +<ul><li><span class="smcap">Nation</span>, the, a product of historical development, <a href="#Page_10">10</a>, <a href="#Page_14">14</a>;<ul> +<li>conception of, <a href="#Page_13">13</a>, <a href="#Page_14">14</a>;</li> +<li>not to be confounded with race, <a href="#Page_13">13-14</a>.</li></ul></li> + +<li>Nations, not to be confounded with States, <a href="#Page_13">13</a>, <a href="#Page_14">14</a>.</li> + +<li>Nationality, principle of, <a href="#Page_14">14</a>, <a href="#Page_32">32</a>.</li> + +<li>'Natura non facit saltus,' <a href="#Page_5">5</a>.</li> + +<li>Naturalists, the School of, <a href="#Page_62">62</a>.</li> +</ul> + +<ul><li><span class="smcap">Oppenheim</span>, letter of Foreign Office concerning Article 23(h) of the Hague Regulations to Professor, <a href="#Page_52">52-55</a>.</li> +</ul> + +<ul><li><span class="smcap">Pacifists</span>, <a href="#Page_31">31</a>.</li> + +<li>Parliament, International, why impossible, <a href="#Page_18">18</a>, <a href="#Page_19">19</a>.</li> + +<li>Permanent Court of Arbitration, International, <a href="#Page_34">34</a>;<ul> +<li>establishment of, by the First Peace Conference, <a href="#Page_61">61</a>.</li></ul></li> + +<li>Permanent International Commissions of the Bryan Peace Treaties, <a href="#Page_71">71</a>.</li> + +<li>Podiebrad, <a href="#Page_8">8</a>.</li> + +<li>Police, International, <a href="#Page_6">6</a>, <a href="#Page_41">41</a>.</li> + +<li>Politis on Article 23(h) of the Hague Regulations concerning Land Warfare, <a href="#Page_49">49</a>, <a href="#Page_55">55</a>.</li> + +<li>Porter <i>v.</i> Freundenberg, case of, <a href="#Page_47">47</a>.</li> + +<li>Positivists, the School of, <a href="#Page_62">62</a>.</li> + +<li>Precedents of International Courts, <a href="#Page_66">66</a>.</li> + +<li>Principle of Nationality, <a href="#Page_14">14</a>, <a href="#Page_32">32</a>.</li> + +<li>Prize Court, International, proposed by Second Peace Conference, <a href="#Page_34">34</a>.</li> +</ul> + +<ul><li><span class="smcap">Quis</span> custodiet ipsos custodes? <a href="#Page_21">21</a>.</li> +</ul> + +<ul><li><span class="smcap">Race</span>, a product of natural development, <a href="#Page_10">10</a>;<ul> +<li>not to be confounded with Nation, <a href="#Page_13">13</a>, <a href="#Page_14">14</a>.</li></ul></li> + +<li>Rebus sic stantibus, proposal for dealing with the clause, <a href="#Page_69">69</a>.</li> + +<li>Religion, wars of, <a href="#Page_10">10</a>.</li> +</ul> + +<ul><li><span class="smcap">Sovereignty</span>, conception of, <a href="#Page_75">75</a>;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span><ul> +<li>not surrendered by entrance into the League of Nations, <a href="#Page_74">74</a>, <a href="#Page_75">75</a>, <a href="#Page_78">78</a>.</li></ul></li> + +<li>State, ideal of the national, <a href="#Page_14">14</a>.</li> + +<li>States of the World, the 25 Allied belligerent and the 17 neutral, <a href="#Page_16">16-17</a>.</li> + +<li>Statutes, difference between International and Municipal, <a href="#Page_42">42</a>.</li> + +<li>Sully, <a href="#Page_9">9</a>.</li> + +<li>Swiss Confederation, civil war within the, <a href="#Page_32">32</a>.</li> + +<li>Switzerland, <a href="#Page_13">13</a>.</li> +</ul> + +<ul><li><span class="smcap">Taft</span>, Ex-President, <a href="#Page_5">5</a>.</li> + +<li>Transoceanic States, entrance into League of Nations of, <a href="#Page_38">38</a>.</li> + +<li>Tribe, the, a product of natural development, <a href="#Page_10">10</a>.</li> +</ul> + +<ul><li><span class="smcap">Ubi</span> societas ibi jus, <a href="#Page_8">8</a>.</li> + +<li>Ullmann, on Article 23(h) of the Hague Regulations concerning Land Warfare, <a href="#Page_50">50</a>.</li> + +<li>United States, civil war in the, <a href="#Page_32">32</a>.</li> +</ul> + +<ul><li><span class="smcap">Vienna</span> Congress, the, <a href="#Page_30">30</a>, <a href="#Page_42">42</a>.</li> + +<li>Votes, equality of, at Hague Peace Conferences, <a href="#Page_38">38</a>.</li> +</ul> + +<ul><li><span class="smcap">Wars</span> for national unity, <a href="#Page_10">10</a>.</li> + +<li>Wehberg on Article 23(h) of the Hague Regulations concerning Land Warfare, <a href="#Page_50">50</a>.</li> + +<li>Whewell, Dr., <a href="#Page_4">4</a>.</li> + +<li>Whittuck on Article 23(h) of the Hague Regulations concerning Land Warfare, <a href="#Page_50">50</a>.</li> + +<li>Wilson, President, <a href="#Page_5">5</a>.</li> + +<li>World Federation, a demand of Pacifists, <a href="#Page_31">31</a>.</li> +</ul> + +<p class="p4"><b><span class="fsxs">AT THE BALLANTYNE PRESS<br /> +PRINTED BY SPOTTISWOODE, BALLANTYNE AND CO. LTD.<br /> +COLCHESTER, LONDON AND ETON, ENGLAND</span></b></p> + +<div class="trn"><b>Transcriber's Note:</b> +Minor typographical errors have been corrected without note. +Variant spellings have been retained. Hyphenation has been standardised.</div> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The League of Nations and its Problems, by +Lassa Oppenheim + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LEAGUE OF NATIONS, ITS PROBLEMS *** + +***** This file should be named 26023-h.htm or 26023-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/2/6/0/2/26023/ + +Produced by Stephen Blundell and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was +produced from images generously made available by The +Internet Archive/Canadian Libraries) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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--git a/26023.txt b/26023.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..b77c358 --- /dev/null +++ b/26023.txt @@ -0,0 +1,3241 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The League of Nations and its Problems, by +Lassa Oppenheim + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The League of Nations and its Problems + Three Lectures + +Author: Lassa Oppenheim + +Release Date: July 10, 2008 [EBook #26023] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LEAGUE OF NATIONS, ITS PROBLEMS *** + + + + +Produced by Stephen Blundell and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was +produced from images generously made available by The +Internet Archive/Canadian Libraries) + + + + + + + + + + CONTRIBUTIONS TO INTERNATIONAL LAW + AND DIPLOMACY + + Edited by L. OPPENHEIM, M.A., LL.D. + + Membre de l'Institut de Droit International, + Whewell Professor of International Law in the University of Cambridge, + Honorary Member of the Royal Academy of Jurisprudence at Madrid, + Corresponding Member of the American Institute of International Law. + + + THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS + AND ITS PROBLEMS + + + + + CONTRIBUTIONS TO INTERNATIONAL + LAW AND DIPLOMACY. + +Edited by L. OPPENHEIM, M.A., LL.D., Whewell Professor of International +Law in the University of Cambridge. + +A GUIDE TO DIPLOMATIC PRACTICE. By the Right Hon. Sir ERNEST SATOW, +G.C.M.G., LL.D., D.C.L., formerly Envoy Extraordinary and Minister +Plenipotentiary. 2 Volumes. 8vo. 30_s._ net. + +INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS AND THIRD STATES. A Monograph. By RONALD F. +ROXBURGH, of the Middle Temple, Barrister-at-Law; formerly Whewell +International Law Scholar in the University of Cambridge; formerly +Scholar of Trinity College, Cambridge. 8vo. 7_s._ 6_d._ net. + + LONGMANS, GREEN AND CO., + London, New York, Bombay, Calcutta, and Madras. + + + + + THE + LEAGUE OF NATIONS + AND ITS PROBLEMS + + + THREE LECTURES + + + BY + + L. OPPENHEIM, M.A., LL.D. + + WHEWELL PROFESSOR OF INTERNATIONAL LAW IN THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE + MEMBRE DE L'INSTITUT DE DROIT INTERNATIONAL. HONORARY MEMBER OF + THE ROYAL ACADEMY OF JURISPRUDENCE AT MADRID, CORRESPONDING + MEMBER OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF + INTERNATIONAL LAW + + + _Festina lente_ + + + LONGMANS, GREEN AND CO. + 39 PATERNOSTER ROW, LONDON + FOURTH AVENUE & 30TH STREET, NEW YORK, + BOMBAY, CALCUTTA, AND MADRAS. + 1919 + + + + +PREFACE + + +The three lectures collected in this volume were prepared without any +intention of publication. They were delivered for the purpose of drawing +attention to the links which connect the proposal for a League of +Nations with the past, to the difficulties which stand in the way of the +realisation of the proposal, and to some schemes by which these +difficulties might be overcome. When it was suggested that the lectures +should be brought before the public at large by being issued in book +form I hesitated, because I was doubtful whether the academic method +natural to a University lecture would be suitable to a wider public. +After consideration, however, I came to the conclusion that their +publication might be useful, because the lectures attempt to show how +the development initiated by the two Hague Peace Conferences could be +continued by turning the movement for a League of Nations into the road +of progress that these Conferences opened. + +Professional International lawyers do not share the belief that the +outbreak of the World War and its, in many ways, lawless and atrocious +conduct have proved the futility of the work of the Hague Conferences. +Throughout these anxious years we have upheld the opinion that the +progress initiated at the Hague has by no means been swept away by the +attitude of lawlessness deliberately--'because necessity knows no +law'--taken up by Germany, provided only that she should be utterly +defeated, and should be compelled to atone and make ample reparation for +the many cruel wrongs which cry to Heaven. While I am writing these +lines, there is happily no longer any doubt that this condition will be +fulfilled. We therefore believe that, after the map of Europe has been +redrawn by the coming Peace Congress, the third Conference ought to +assemble at the Hague for the purpose of establishing the demanded +League of Nations and supplying it with the rudiments of an +organisation. + +How this could be accomplished in a very simple way the following three +lectures attempt to show. They likewise offer some very slight outlines +of a scheme for setting up International Councils of Conciliation as +well as an International Court of Justice comprising a number of +Benches. I would ask the reader kindly to take these very lightly +outlined schemes for what they are worth. Whatever may be their defects +they indicate a way out of some of the great difficulties which beset +the realisation of the universal demand for International Councils of +Conciliation and an International Court of Justice. + +It is well known that several of the allied Governments have appointed +Committees to study the problem of a League of Nations and to prepare a +scheme which could be put before the coming Peace Congress. But unless +all, or at any rate all the more important, neutral States are +represented, it will be impossible for an all-embracing League of +Nations to be created by that Congress; although a scheme could well be +adopted which would keep the door open for all civilised States. +However, until all these States have actually been received within the +charmed circle, the League will not be complete nor its aims fully +realised. Whatever the coming Peace Congress may be able to achieve with +regard to a scheme for the establishment of the League of Nations, +another--the third--Hague Peace Conference will be needed to set it +going. + + L. OPPENHEIM. + + P.S.--While this Preface and volume were going through the Press, + Austria-Hungary and Germany surrendered, and unprecedented + revolutions broke out which swept the Hapsburg, the Hohenzollern, + and all the other German dynasties away. No one can foresee what + will be the ultimate fate and condition of those two once mighty + empires. It is obvious that, had the first and second lectures been + delivered after these stirring events took place, some of the views + to be found therein expressed would have been modified or + differently expressed. I may ask the reader kindly to keep this in + mind while reading the following pages. However, the general bearing + of the arguments, and the proposals for the organisation of the + League of Nations and the establishment of an International Court of + Justice and International Councils of Conciliation, are in no way + influenced by these later events. + + + + +CONTENTS + + + PAGE + + FIRST LECTURE: THE AIMS OF THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS 1 + + I. The purpose of the three Lectures is to draw attention to + the links which connect the proposed League of Nations with + the past, to the difficulties involved in the proposal, and to + the way in which they can be overcome 4 + + II. The conception of a League of Nations is not new, but is + as old as International Law, because any kind of International + Law and some kind of a League of Nations are interdependent and + correlative 6 + + III. During antiquity no International Law in the modern + sense of the term was possible, because the common interests + which could force a number of independent States into a + Community of States were lacking 6 + + IV. But during the second part of the Middle Ages matters + began to change. During the fifteenth, sixteenth and + seventeenth centuries an International Law, and with it a kind + of League of Nations, became a necessity and therefore grew by + custom. At the same time arose the first schemes for a League + of Nations guaranteeing permanent peace, namely those of Pierre + Dubois (1305), Antoine Marini (1461), Sully (1603), and Emeric + Crucee (1623). Hugo Grotius' immortal work on 'The Law of War + and Peace' (1625) 7 + + V. The League of Nations thus evolved by custom could not + undertake to prevent war; the conditions prevailing up to the + outbreak of the French Revolution made it impossible; it was + only during the nineteenth century that the principle of + nationality made growth 9 + + VI. The outbreak of the present World War is epoch-making + because it is at bottom a fight between the principle of + democratic and constitutional government and the principle of + militarism and autocratic government. The three new points in + the present demand for a League of Nations 11 + + VII. How and why the peremptory demand for a new League of + Nations arose, and its connection with so-called + Internationalism 11 + + VIII. The League of Nations now aimed at is not really a + League of Nations but of States. The ideal of the national + State 13 + + IX. The two reasons why the establishment of a new League of + Nations is conditioned by the utter defeat of the Central + Powers 15 + + X. Why--in a sense--the new League of Nations may be said to + have already started its career 16 + + XI. The impossibility of the demand that the new League of + Nations should create a Federal World State 18 + + XII. The demand for an International Army and Navy 20 + + XIII. The new League of Nations cannot give itself a + constitution of a state-like character, but only one _sui + generis_ on very simple lines 22 + + XIV. The three aims of the new League of Nations, and the + four problems to be faced and solved in order to make possible + the realisation of these aims 23 + + + SECOND LECTURE: ORGANISATION AND LEGISLATION + OF THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS 25 + + I. The Community of civilised States, the at present + existing League of Nations, is a community without any + organisation, although there are plenty of legal rules for the + intercourse of the several States one with another 28 + + II. The position of the Great Powers within the Community of + States is a mere political fact not based on Law 29 + + III. The pacifistic demand or a Federal World State in order + to make the abolition of war a possibility 31 + + IV. Every attempt at organising the desired new League of + Nations must start from, and keep intact, the independence and + equality of the several States, with the consequence that the + establishment of a central political authority above the + sovereign States is an impossibility 32 + + V. The development of an organisation of the Community of + States began before the outbreak of the World War and is to be + found in the establishment of the Permanent Court of + Arbitration at the Hague by the First Hague Peace Conference of + 1899. But more steps will be necessary to turn the hitherto + unorganised Community of States into an organised League of + Nations 34 + + VI. The organisation of the desired new League of Nations + should start from the beginning made by the Hague Peace + Conferences, and the League should therefore include all the + independent civilised States 35 + + VII. The objection to the reception of the Central Powers, + and of Germany especially, into the League 36 + + VIII. The objection to the reception of the minor + transoceanic States into the League 38 + + IX. The seven principles which ought to be accepted with + regard to the organisation of the new League of Nations 39 + + X. The organisation of the League of Nations is not an end in + itself but only a means of attaining three objects, the first + of which is International Legislation. The meaning of the term + 'International Legislation' in contradistinction to Municipal + Legislation. International Legislation in the past and in the + future 41 + + XI. The difficulty in the way of International Legislation on + account of the language question 43 + + XII. The difficulty created by the conflicting national + interests of the several States 44 + + XIII. The difficulty caused by the fact that International + Statutes cannot be created by a majority vote of the States. + The difference between universal and general International Law + offers a way out 44 + + XIV. The difficulty created by the fact that there are as yet + no universally recognised rules concerning interpretation and + construction of International Statutes and ordinary + Conventions. The notorious Article 23(h) of the Hague + Regulations concerning Land Warfare 45 + + _Appendix_: Correspondence with the Foreign Office respecting + the Interpretation of Article 23(h) of the Hague Regulations + concerning Land Warfare 48 + + + THIRD LECTURE: ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE AND + MEDIATION WITHIN THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS 57 + + I. Administration of Justice within the League is a question + of International Courts, but it is incorrect to assert that + International Legislation necessitates the existence of + International Courts 60 + + II. The Permanent Court of Arbitration created by the First + Hague Peace Conference 61 + + III. The difficulties connected with International + Administration of Justice by International Courts 62 + + IV. The necessity for a Court of Appeal above the + International Court of First Instance 63 + + V. The difficulties connected with the setting up and manning + of International Courts of Justice 64 + + VI. Details of a scheme which recommends itself because it + distinguishes between the Court as a whole and the several + Benches which would be called upon to decide the cases 65 + + VII. The advantages of the recommended scheme 67 + + VIII. A necessary provision for so-called complex cases of + dispute 68 + + IX. A necessary provision with regard to the notorious clause + _rebus sic stantibus_ 69 + + X. The two starting points for a satisfactory proposal + concerning International Mediation by International Councils of + Conciliation. Article 8 of the Hague Convention concerning + Pacific Settlement of International Disputes. The Permanent + International Commissions of the Bryan Peace Treaties 70 + + XI. Details of a scheme which recommends itself for the + establishment of International Councils of Conciliation 72 + + XII. The question of disarmament 74 + + XIII. The assertion that States renounce their sovereignty by + entering into the League 75 + + XIV. Conclusion: Can it be expected that, in case of a great + conflict of interests, all the members of the League will + faithfully carry out their engagements? 78 + + + ALPHABETICAL INDEX 81 + + + + +FIRST LECTURE + +THE AIMS OF THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS + + +SYNOPSIS + + I. The purpose of the three Lectures is to draw attention to the + links which connect the proposed League of Nations with the past, to + the difficulties involved in the proposal, and to the way in which + they can be overcome. + + II. The conception of a League of Nations is not new, but is as old + as International Law, because any kind of International Law and some + kind of a League of Nations are interdependent and correlative. + + III. During antiquity no International Law in the modern sense of + the term was possible, because the common interests which could + force a number of independent States into a community of States were + lacking. + + IV. But during the second part of the Middle Ages matters began to + change. During the fifteenth, sixteenth, and seventeenth centuries + an International Law, and with it a kind of League of Nations, + became a necessity and therefore grew by custom. At the same time + arose the first schemes for a League of Nations guaranteeing + permanent peace, namely those of Pierre Dubois (1305), Antoine + Marini (1461), Sully (1603), and Emeric Crucee (1623). Hugo Grotius' + immortal work on 'The Law of War and Peace' (1625). + + V. The League of Nations thus evolved by custom could not undertake + to prevent wars; the conditions prevailing up to the outbreak of the + French Revolution made it impossible; it was only during the + nineteenth century that the principle of nationality made growth. + + VI. The outbreak of the present World War is epoch-making because it + is at bottom a fight between the principle of democratic and + constitutional government and the principle of militarism and + autocratic government. The three new points in the present demand + for a League of Nations. + + VII. How and why the peremptory demand for a new League of Nations + arose, and its connection with so-called Internationalism. + + VIII. The League of Nations now aimed at is not really a League of + Nations but of States. The ideal of the National State. + + IX. The two reasons why the establishment of a new League of Nations + is conditioned by the utter defeat of the Central Powers. + + X. Why--in a sense--the new League of Nations may be said to have + already started its career. + + XI. The impossibility of the demand that the new League of Nations + should create a Federal World State. + + XII. The demand for an International Army and Navy. + + XIII. The new League of Nations cannot give itself a constitution of + a state-like character, but only one _sui generis_ on very simple + lines. + + XIV. The three aims of the new League of Nations, and the four + problems to be faced and solved in order to make possible the + realisation of these aims. + + +THE LECTURE + +I. Dr. Whewell, the founder of the Chair of International Law which I +have the honour to occupy in this University, laid the injunction upon +every holder of the Chair that he should 'make it his aim,' in all parts +of his treatment of the subject, 'to lay down such rules and suggest +such measures as may tend to diminish the evils of war and finally to +extinguish war between nations.' It is to comply with the spirit, if not +with the letter, of this injunction that I have announced the series of +three lectures on a League of Nations. The present is the first, and in +it I propose to treat of the Aims of the League. But, before I enter +into a discussion of these aims, I should like to point out that I have +no intention of dealing with the question whether or no a League of +Nations should be founded at all. To my mind, and probably to the minds +of most of you here, this question has been satisfactorily answered by +the leading politicians of all parties and all countries since +ex-President Taft put it soon after the outbreak of the World War; it +suffices to mention Earl Grey in Great Britain and President Wilson in +America. In giving these lectures I propose to draw your attention, on +the one hand, to the links which connect the proposal for a League of +Nations with the past, and, on the other hand, to the difficulties with +which the realisation of the proposal must necessarily be attended; and +also to the ways in which, in my opinion, these difficulties can be +overcome. + +There is an old adage which says _Natura non facit saltus_, Nature takes +no leaps. Everything in Nature develops gradually, step by step, and +organically. It is, at any rate as a rule, the same with History. +History in most cases takes no leaps, but if exceptionally History does +take a leap, there is great danger of a bad slip backwards following. We +must be on our guard lest the proposed League of Nations should take a +leap in the dark, and the realisation of proposals be attempted which +are so daring and so entirely out of keeping with the historical +development of International Law and the growth of the Society of +Nations, that there would be great danger of the whole scheme collapsing +and the whole movement coming to naught. + +The movement for a League of Nations is sound, for its purpose is to +secure a more lasting peace amongst the nations of the world than has +hitherto prevailed. But a number of schemes to realise this purpose +have been published which in my opinion go much too far because they +comprise proposals which are not realisable in our days. You know that +not only an International Court of Justice and an International Council +of Conciliation have been proposed, but also some kind of International +Government, some kind of International Parliament, an International +Executive, and even an International Army and Navy--a so-called +International Police--by the help of which the International Government +could guarantee the condition of permanent peace in the world. + +II. You believe no doubt, because nearly everyone believes it, that the +conception of a League of Nations is something quite new. Yet this is +not the case, although there is something new in the present conception, +something which did not exist previously. The conception of a League of +Nations is very old, is indeed as old as modern International Law, +namely about four hundred years. International Law could not have come +into existence without at the same time calling into existence a League +of Nations. _Any kind of an International Law and some kind or other of +a League of Nations are interdependent and correlative._ This assertion +possibly surprises you, and I must therefore say a few words concerning +the origin of modern International Law in order to make matters clear. + +III. In ancient times no International Law in the modern sense of the +term existed. It is true there existed rules of religion and of law +concerning international relations, and ambassadors and heralds were +everywhere considered sacrosanct. But these rules were not rules of an +_International_ Law, they were either religious rules or rules which +were part of the Municipal Law of the several States. For instance: the +Romans had very detailed rules concerning their relations with other +States in time of peace and war; but these were rules of Roman law, not +rules of the law of other countries, and certainly not _international_ +rules. + +Now what was the reason that antiquity did not know of any International +Law? + +The reason was that between the several independent States of antiquity +no such intimate intercourse arose and no such common views existed as +to necessitate a law between them. Only between the several city States +of ancient Greece arose some kind of what we should now call +'International Law,' because these city States formed a Community +fostered by the same language, the same civilisation, the same religion, +the same general ideas, and by constant commercial and other +intercourse. On the other hand, the Roman Empire was a world empire, it +gradually absorbed all the independent nations in the West. And when the +Roman Empire fell to pieces in consequence of the migration of the +peoples, the old civilisation came to an end, international commerce and +intercourse ceased almost entirely, and it was not till towards the end +of the Middle Ages that matters began to change. + +IV. During the second part of the Middle Ages more and more independent +States arose on the European continent, and during the fifteenth and +sixteenth centuries the necessity for a Law of Nations made itself felt. +A multitude of Sovereign States had now established themselves which, +although they were absolutely independent of one another, were knitted +together by constant commercial and other intercourse, by a common +religion, and by the same moral principles. Gradually and almost +unconsciously the conviction had grown upon these independent States +that, in spite of everything which separated them, they formed a +Community the intercourse of which was ruled by certain legal +principles. International Law grew out of custom because it was a +necessity according to the well-known rule _ubi societas ibi jus_, where +there is a community of interests there must be law. The several +independent States had thus gradually and unconsciously formed +themselves into a Society, the afterwards so-called Family of Nations, +or, in other words, a League of Nations. + +And no sooner had this League of Nations come into existence--and even +some time before that date--than a number of schemes for the +establishment of eternal peace made their appearance. + +The first of these schemes was that of the French lawyer _Pierre +Dubois_, who, as early as 1305, in his work 'De recuperatione terre +sancte,' proposed an alliance between all Christian Powers for the +purpose of the maintenance of peace and the establishment of a permanent +Court of Arbitration for the settlement of differences between members +of the alliance. + +Another was that of _Antoine Marini_, the Chancellor of Podiebrad, King +of Bohemia, who adopted the scheme in 1461. This scheme proposed the +foundation of a Federal State to comprise all the existing Christian +States and the establishment of a permanent Congress to be seated at +Basle in Switzerland, this Congress to be the highest organ of the +Federation. + +A third scheme was that of _Sully_, adopted by Henri IV of France, +which, in 1603, proposed the division of Europe into fifteen States and +the linking together of these into a Federation with a General Council +as its highest organ. + +And a fourth scheme was that of _Emeric Crucee_, who, in 1623, proposed +the establishment of a Union consisting not only of the Christian States +but of all States of the world, with a General Council seated at Venice. + +And since that time many other schemes of similar kind have made their +appearance, the enumeration and discussion of which is outside our +present purpose. So much is certain that all these schemes were Utopian. +Nevertheless, a League of Nations having once come into existence, +International Law grew more and more, and when in 1625 Hugo Grotius +published his immortal work on 'The Law of War and Peace,' the system of +International Law offered in his work conquered the world and became the +basis of all following development. + +V. However, although a League of Nations must be said to have been in +existence for about 400 years, because no International Law would have +been possible without it, this League of Nations could not, and was not +intended to, prevent war between its members. I say: it could not +prevent war. Why not? It could not prevent war on account of the +conditions which prevailed within the international society from the +Middle Ages till, say, the outbreak of the present war. These conditions +are intimately connected with the growth of the several States of +Europe. + +Whereas the family, the tribe, and the race are natural products, the +nation as well as the State are products of historical development. All +nations are blends of more or less different races, and all States were +originally founded on force: strong rulers subjected neighbouring tribes +and peoples to their sway and thus formed coherent nations. Most of the +States in Europe are the product of the activity of strong dynasties +which through war and conquest, and through marriage and purchase, +united under one sovereign the lands which form the States and the +peoples which form the nations. Up to the time of the French Revolution, +throughout the sixteenth, seventeenth, and eighteenth centuries, all +wars were either wars of religion, or dynastic wars fought for the +increase of the territory under the sway of the dynasties concerned, or +so-called colonial wars fought for the acquisition of transoceanic +colonies. It was not till the nineteenth century that wars for the +purpose of national unity broke out, and dynastic wars began gradually +to disappear. During the nineteenth century the nations, so to say, +found themselves; some kind of constitutional government was everywhere +introduced; and democracy became the ideal, although it was by no means +everywhere realised. + +VI. It is for this reason that the outbreak of the present war is +epoch-making, because it has become apparent that, whatever may be the +war aims of the belligerents, at bottom this World War is a fight +between the ideal of democracy and constitutional government on the one +hand, and autocratic government and militarism on the other. Everywhere +the conviction has become prevalent that things cannot remain as they +were before the outbreak of the present war, and therefore the demand +for a League of Nations, or--I had better say--for a new League of +Nations to take the place of that which has been in existence for about +400 years, has arisen. + +Now what is new in the desired new League of Nations? + +Firstly, this new League would be founded upon a solemn treaty, whereas +the League of Nations hitherto was only based upon custom. + +Secondly, for the purpose of making war rarer or of abolishing it +altogether, this new League of Nations would enact the rule that no +State is allowed to resort to arms without previously having submitted +the dispute to an International Court or a Council of Conciliation. + +Thirdly, this new League of Nations would be compelled to create some +kind of organisation for itself, because otherwise it could not realise +its purpose to make war rarer or abolish it altogether. + +VII. The demand for a new League of Nations is universal, for it is +made, not only everywhere in the allied countries, but in the countries +of the Central Powers, and it will surely be realised when the war is +over, at any rate to a certain extent. It is for this reason that the +present World War has not only not destroyed so-called Internationalism, +but has done more for it than many years of peace could have done. + +What is Internationalism? + +Internationalism is the conviction that all the civilised States form +one Community throughout the world in spite of the various factors which +separate the nations from one another; the conviction that the interests +of all the nations and States are indissolubly interknitted, and that, +therefore, the Family of Nations must establish international +institutions for the purpose of guaranteeing a more general and a more +lasting peace than existed in former times. Internationalism had made +great strides during the second part of the nineteenth century on +account of the enormous development of international commerce and +international communication favoured by railways, the steamship, the +telegraph, and a great many scientific discoveries and technical +inventions. But what a disturbing and destroying factor war really is, +had not become fully apparent till the present war, because this is a +_world_ war which interferes almost as much with the welfare of neutrals +as with the welfare of belligerents. It has become apparent during the +present war that the discoveries and developments of science and +technology, which had done so much during the second half of the +nineteenth century for the material welfare of the human race during +peace, were likewise at the disposal of belligerents for an enormous, +and hitherto unthought-of, destruction of life and wealth. It is for +this reason that in the camp of friend and foe, among neutrals as well +as among belligerents, the conviction has become universal that the +conditions of international life prevailing before the outbreak of the +World War must be altered; that international institutions must be +established which will make the outbreak of war, if not impossible, at +any rate only an exceptional possibility. The demand for a new League of +Nations has thus arisen and peremptorily requires fulfilment. + +VIII. However, in considering the demand for a new League of Nations, it +is necessary to avoid confusing nations with States. It should always be +remembered that, when we speak of a League of Nations, we do not really +mean a League of Nations but a League of States. It is true that there +are many States in existence which in the main are made up of one +nation, although fractions of other nations may be comprised in them. +But it is equally true that there are some States in existence which +include members of several nations. Take as an example Switzerland +which, although only a very small State, nevertheless comprises three +national elements, namely German, French, and Italian. Another example +is the British Empire, which is a world empire and comprises a number of +different nations. + +That leads me to the question: What is a nation? + +A nation must not be confounded with a race. A nation is a product of +historical development, whereas a race is a product of natural growth. +One speaks of a nation when a complex body of human beings is united by +living in the same land, by the same language, the same literature, the +same historical traditions, and the same general views of life. All +nations are a mixture of several diverse racial elements which in the +course of historical development have to a certain extent been united by +force of circumstances. The Swiss as a people are politically a nation, +although the component parts of the population of Switzerland are of +different national characters and even speak different languages. +Historical development in general, and in many cases force in +particular, have played a great part in the blending of diverse racial +elements into nations; just as they have played a great part in the +building up of States. The demand that every nation should have a +separate State of its own--the ideal of the so-called national +State--appears very late in history; it is a product of the last two +centuries, and it was not till the second half of the nineteenth century +that the so-called principle of nationality made its appearance and +gained great influence. It may well be doubted whether each nation, be +it ever so small, will succeed in establishing a separate State of its +own, although where national consciousness becomes overwhelmingly +strong, it will probably in every case succeed in time either in +establishing a State of its own, or at any rate in gaining autonomy. Be +that as it may, it is a question for the future; so much is certain, +what is intended now to be realised, is not a League of Nations, but a +League of States, although it is called a League of Nations. + +IX. However, no League of Nations is possible unless the Central Powers, +and Germany in especial, are utterly defeated during the World War, and +that for two reasons. + +One reason is that a great alteration of the map of Europe is an +absolutely necessary condition for the satisfactory working of a League +of Nations. Unless an independent Poland be established; unless the +problem of Alsace-Lorraine be solved; unless the Trentino be handed over +to Italy; unless the Yugo-Slavs be united with Servia; unless the +Czecho-Slovaks be freed from the Austrian yoke; and unless the problem +of Turkey and the Turkish Straits be solved, no lasting peace can be +expected in Europe, even if a League of Nations be established. + +The other reason is that, unless Germany be utterly defeated, the spirit +of militarism, which is not compatible with a League of Nations, will +remain a menace to the world. + +What is militarism? It is that conception of the State which bases the +power of the State, its influence, its progress, and its development +exclusively on military force. The consequence is that war becomes part +of the settled policy of a militarist State; the acquisition of further +territory and population by conquest is continually before the eyes of +such a Government; and the condition of peace is only a shorter or +longer interval between periods of war. A military State submits to +International Law only so long as it serves its interests, but violates +International Law, and particularly International Law concerning war, +wherever and whenever this law stands in the way of its military aims. +The whole history of Prussia exemplifies this. Now in a League of +Nations peace must be the normal condition. If war occurs at all within +such a League, it can only be an exceptional phase and must be only for +the purpose of re-establishing peace. It is true a League of Nations +will not be able entirely to dispense with military force, yet such +force appears only in the background as an _ultima ratio_ to be applied +against such Power as refuses to submit its disagreements with other +members of the League either to an International Court of Justice or an +International Council of Conciliation. + +X. Be that as it may, in a sense the League of Nations has already +started its career, because twenty-five States are united on the one +side and are fighting this war in vindication of International Law. +These States are--I enumerate them chronologically as they entered into +the war:--Russia (the Bolsheviks have made peace, but in fact one may +still enumerate Russia as a belligerent), France, Belgium, Great +Britain, Servia, Montenegro, Japan, San Marino, Portugal, Italy, +Roumania, the United States, Cuba, Panama, Greece, Siam, Liberia, China, +Brazil, Ecuador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Haiti, Honduras. +Besides these twenty-five States which are at war with the Central +Powers, the following four States, without having declared war, have +broken off diplomatic relations with Germany, namely: Bolivia, San +Domingo, Peru, Uruguay. + +Now there may be said to be about fifty civilised States in existence. +Of these, as I have just pointed out, twenty-five are fighting against +the Central Powers, four have broken off relations with Germany, the +Central Powers themselves are four in number, with the consequence that +thirty-three of the fifty States are implicated in the war. Only the +seventeen remaining States are neutral, namely: Sweden, Norway, Denmark, +Holland, Luxemburg, Switzerland, Spain, Lichtenstein, and Monaco in +Europe; Mexico, Salvador, Colombia, Venezuela, Chile, Argentina, and +Paraguay in America; and Persia in Asia. + +It may be taken for granted that all the neutral States, and all the +States fighting on the side of the Allies, and also the four States +which, although they are not fighting on the side of the Allies, have +broken off relations with Germany, are prepared to enter into a League +of Nations. + +But what about the Central Powers, and Germany in especial? I shall +discuss in my next lecture the question whether the Central Powers are +to become members of the League. To-day it must suffice to say that, +when once utterly defeated, they will be only too glad to be received as +members. On the other hand, if they were excluded, the world would again +be divided into two rival camps, just as before the war the Triple +Alliance was faced by the Entente. No disarmament would be possible, and +with regard to every other matter progress would be equally impossible. +Therefore the Central Powers must become members of a League of Nations +for such a League to be of any great use, which postulates as a _sine +qua non_ that Germany must be utterly defeated in the present war. If +she were victorious, or if peace were concluded with an undefeated +Germany, the world would not be ripe for a League of Nations because +militarism would not have been exterminated. + +XI. I have hitherto discussed the League of Nations only in a general +way, without mentioning that there is no unanimity concerning its aims +or concerning the details of its organisation. Many people think that it +would be possible to do away with war for ever, and they therefore +demand a World State, a Federal State comprising all the single States +of the world on the pattern of the United States of America. And for +this reason the demand is raised not only for an International Court and +for an International Council of Conciliation, but also for an +International Government, an International Parliament, and an +International Army and Navy,--a so-called International Police. + +I believe that these demands go much too far and are impossible of +realisation. A Federal State comprising all the single States of the +whole civilised world is a Utopia, and an International Army and Navy +would be a danger to the peace of the world. + +Why is a World State not possible, at any rate not in our time? + +No one has ever thought that a World State in the form of one single +State with one single Government would be possible. Those who plead for +a World State plead for it in the form of a Federal State comprising all +the single States of the world on the pattern of the United States of +America. But even this modified ideal is not, in my opinion, realisable +at present. Why not? To realise this ideal there would be required a +Federal Government, and a Federal Parliament; and the Federal Government +would have to possess strong powers to enforce its demands. A powerless +Federal Government would be worse than no government at all. But how is +it possible to establish at present a powerful Federal Government over +the whole world? How is it possible to establish a Federal World +Parliament? + +Constitutional Government within the several States has to grapple with +many difficulties, and these difficulties would be more numerous, +greater, and much more complicated within a Federal World State. We need +democracy and constitutional Government in every single State, and this +can only be realised by party Government and elections of Parliament at +short intervals. The waves of party strife rise high within the several +States; no sooner is one party in, than the other party looks out for an +opening into which a wedge can be pushed to turn the Government out. In +normal times this works on the whole quite well within the borders of +the several States, because the interests concerned are not so widely +opposed to one another that the several parties cannot alternatively +govern. But when it comes to applying the same system of Government to a +Federal World State, the interests at stake are too divergent. The East +and the West, the South and the North, the interests of maritime States +and land-locked States, the ideals and interests of industrial and +agricultural States, and many other contrasts, are too great for it to +be possible to govern a Federal World State by the same institutions as +a State of ordinary size and composition. + +The British World Empire may be taken as an example to show that it is +impossible for one single central Government to govern a number of +States with somewhat divergent interests. We all know that the British +Empire comprising the United Kingdom and the so-called independent +dominions, namely Canada, Newfoundland, Australia, New Zealand, and +South Africa, is kept together not really by the powers of the British +Government but by the good will of the component parts. The Government +of the United Kingdom could not keep the Empire together by force, could +not compel by force one of the independent dominions to submit to a +demand, in case it refused to comply. The interests of the several +component parts of the British Empire are so divergent that no central +Government could keep them together against their will. Now what applies +to the British Empire, which is to a great extent bound together by the +same language, the same literature, and the same Law, would apply much +more to a Federal State comprising the whole of the world: such a +Federal State, so far as we can see, is impossible. + +XII. But what about an International Army and Navy? + +It is hardly worth while to say much about them. Those who propose the +establishment of an International Army and Navy presuppose that the +national armies and navies would be abolished so that the world +Government would have the power, with the help of the International Army +and Navy, at any moment to crush any attempt of a recalcitrant member of +the Federal World State to avoid its duties. This International Army and +Navy would be the most powerful instrument of force which the world has +ever seen, because every attempt to resist it would be futile. And the +Commander of the International Army and the Commander of the +International Navy would be men holding in their hands the greatest +power that can be imagined. + +The old question therefore arises: _Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?_ +which I should like here to translate freely by: Who will keep in order +those who are to keep the world in order? A League of Nations which can +only be kept together by a powerful International Army and Navy, is a +contradiction in itself; for the independence and equality of the member +States of the League would soon disappear. It is a fact--I make this +statement although I am sure it will be violently contradicted--that, +just as hitherto, so within a League of Nations some kind of Balance of +Power only can guarantee the independence and equality of the smaller +States. For the Community of Power, on which the League of Nations must +rest, would at once disappear if one or two members of the League became +so powerful that they could disregard the combined power of the other +members. Every scheme of this movement must therefore see to it that no +member of the League is more armed than is necessary considering the +extent of its territory and other factors concerned. But be that as it +may, an International Army and Navy is practically impossible, just as a +Federal World State is impossible. + +XIII. Yet while a Federal World State is impossible, a League of Nations +is not, provided such league gives itself a constitution, not of a +state-like character, but one _sui generis_. What can be done is this: +the hitherto unorganised Family of Nations can organise itself on simple +lines so as to secure, on the one hand, the absolute independence of +every State, and, on the other hand, the peaceful co-existence of all +the States. + +It is possible, in my opinion, to establish an International Court of +Justice before which the several States engage to appear in case a +conflict arises between two or more of them which can be judicially +settled, that is, can be settled by a rule of law. There is as little +reason why two or more States should go to war on account of a conflict +which can be settled upon the basis of law, as there is for two private +individuals to resort to arms in case of a dispute between them which +can be decided by a Court of Law. + +Again, although there will frequently arise between States conflicts of +a political character which cannot be settled on the basis of a rule of +law, there is no reason why, when the States in conflict cannot settle +them by diplomatic negotiation, they should resort to arms, before +bringing the conflict before some Council of Conciliation and giving the +latter an opportunity of investigating the matter and proposing a fair +compromise. + +Under modern conditions of civilisation the whole world suffers in case +war breaks out between even only two States, and for this reason it is +advisable that the rest of the world should unite and oppose such State +as would resort to arms without having submitted its case to an +International Court of Justice or an International Council of +Conciliation. + +XIV. In my opinion the aims of a League of Nations should therefore be +three: + +The first aim should be to prevent the outbreak of war altogether on +account of so-called judicial disputes, that is disputes which can be +settled on the basis of a rule of law. For this reason the League should +stipulate that every State must submit all judicial disputes without +exception to an International Court of Justice and must abide by the +judgment of such Court. + +The second aim should be to prevent the sudden outbreak of war on +account of a political dispute and to insist on an opportunity for +mediation. For this reason the League should stipulate that every State, +previous to resorting to arms over a political dispute, must submit it +to an International Council of Conciliation and must at any rate listen +to the advice of such Council. + +The third aim should be to provide a sanction for the enforcement of the +two rules just mentioned. For this reason the League should stipulate +that all the member States of the League must unite their economic, +military, and naval forces against such member or members as would +resort to arms either on account of a judicial dispute which ought to +have been settled by an International Court of Justice, or on account of +a political dispute without previously having submitted it to an +International Council of Conciliation and listened to the latter's +advice. + +These should be, in my opinion, the three aims of a League of Nations +and the three rules necessary for the realisation of these aims. +However, it is not so easy to realise them, and it is therefore +necessary to face and solve four problems: There is, firstly, the +problem of the Organisation of the League; secondly, the problem of +Legislation within the League; thirdly, the problem of Administration of +Justice within the League; and fourthly, the problem of Mediation within +the League--four problems which I shall discuss in the two following +lectures. + +I have only named three aims and four problems because I have in my mind +those aims which are the nearest and those problems which are the most +pressing and the most urgent. The range of vision of the League of +Nations, when once established, will no doubt gradually become wider and +wider; new aims will arise and new problems will demand solution, but +all such possible future aims and future problems are outside the scope +of these lectures. + + + + +SECOND LECTURE + +ORGANISATION AND LEGISLATION OF THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS + + +SYNOPSIS + + I. The Community of civilised States, the at present existing League + of Nations, is a community without any organisation, although there + are plenty of legal rules for the intercourse of the several States + one with another. + + II. The position of the Great Powers within the Community of States + is a mere political fact not based on Law. + + III. The pacifistic demand for a Federal World State in order to + make the abolition of war a possibility. + + IV. Every attempt at organising the desired new League of Nations + must start from, and keep intact, the independence and equality of + the several States, with the consequence that the establishment of a + central political authority above the sovereign States is an + impossibility. + + V. The development of an organisation of the Community of States + began before the outbreak of the World War and is to be found in the + establishment of the Permanent Court of Arbitration at the Hague by + the First Hague Peace Conference of 1899. But more steps will be + necessary to turn the hitherto unorganised Community of States into + an organised League of Nations. + + VI. The organisation of the desired new League of Nations should + start from the beginning made by the Hague Peace Conferences, and + the League should therefore include all the independent civilised + States. + + VII. The objection to the reception of the Central Powers, and of + Germany especially, into the League. + + VIII. The objection to the reception of the minor transoceanic + States into the League. + + IX. The seven principles which ought to be accepted with regard to + the organisation of the new League of Nations. + + X. The organisation of the League of Nations is not an end in itself + but only a means of attaining three objects, the first of which is + International Legislation. The meaning of the term 'International + Legislation' in contradistinction to Municipal Legislation. + International Legislation in the past and in the future. + + XI. The difficulty in the way of International Legislation on + account of the language question. + + XII. The difficulty created by the conflicting national interests of + the several States. + + XIII. The difficulty caused by the fact that International Statutes + cannot be created by a majority vote of the States. The difference + between universal and general International Law offers a way out. + + XIV. The difficulty created by the fact that there are as yet no + universally recognised rules concerning interpretation and + construction of International Statutes and ordinary conventions. The + notorious Article 23(h) of the Hague Regulations concerning Land + Warfare. + + +THE LECTURE + + +I. In my first lecture on the League of Nations I recommended the +following three rules to be laid down by a League of Nations: + +Firstly, every State must submit all judicial disputes to an +International Court of Justice and must abide by the judgment of such +Court. + +Secondly, every State previous to resorting to arms, must submit every +political and non-judicial dispute to an International Council of +Conciliation and must at any rate listen to the advice of such Council. + +Thirdly, the member States must unite their forces against such State or +States as should resort to arms without previously having submitted the +matter in dispute to an International Court of Justice or to an +International Council of Conciliation. + +And I added that these three rules cannot create a satisfactory +condition of affairs unless four problems are faced and solved, namely: +The Organisation of the League, Legislation by the League, +Administration of Justice and Mediation within the League. My lecture +to-day will deal with two of these problems, namely the Organisation and +the Legislation of the League. + +Let us first consider the Organisation of the League. Hitherto the body +of civilised States which form the Family of Nations and which, as I +pointed out in my first lecture, is really a League of Nations evolved +by custom, has been an unorganised Community. This means that, although +there are plenty of legal rules for the intercourse of the several +States one with another, the Community of civilised States does not +possess any permanently established organs or agents for the conduct of +its common affairs. At present these affairs, if they are peaceably +settled, are either settled by ordinary diplomatic negotiation or, if +the matter is pressing and of the greatest importance, by temporarily +convened International Conferences or Congresses. + +II. It is true there are the so-called Great Powers which are the +leaders of the Family of Nations, and it is therefore asserted by some +authorities that the Community of States has acquired a certain amount +of organisation because the Great Powers are the legally recognised +superiors of the minor States. + +But is this assertion correct? The Great Powers, are they really the +legally recognised superiors of the minor States? + +I deny it. A Great Power is any large-sized State possessing a large +population which gains such economic, military, and naval strength that +its political influence must be reckoned with by all the other Powers. +At the time of the outbreak of the World War eight States had to be +considered as Great Powers, namely Great Britain, Austria-Hungary, +France, Germany, Italy, Russia, the United States of America, and Japan. +But it is very probable that the end of the World War will see the +number of Great Powers reduced to six. The collapse and break up of +Russia has surely for the present eliminated her from the number of +Great Powers. And it is quite certain that Austria-Hungary will not +emerge from the struggle as a Great Power, if she emerges from it as a +whole at all. History teaches that the number of the Great Powers is by +no means stable, and changes occasionally take place. Look at the +condition of affairs during the nineteenth century. Whereas at the time +of the Vienna Congress in 1815 eight States, namely Great Britain, +Austria, France, Portugal, Prussia, Spain, Sweden, and Russia were still +considered Great Powers, their number soon decreased to five, because +Portugal, Spain, and Sweden ceased to be Great Powers. On the other +hand, Italy joined the number of the Great Powers after her unification +in 1860; the United States of America joined the Great Powers after the +American Civil War in 1865; and Japan emerged as a Great Power from her +war with China in 1895. + +Be that as it may, so much is certain, a State is a Great Power not by +law but only by its political influence. The Great Powers are the +leaders of the Family of Nations because their political influence is +so great. Their political and economic influence is in the long run +irresistible; therefore all arrangements made by the Great Powers +naturally in most cases gain, either at once or in time, the consent of +the minor States. It may be said that the Great Powers exercise a kind +of political hegemony within the Family of Nations. Yet this hegemony is +not based on law, it is simply a political fact, and it is certainly not +a consequence of an organisation of the Family of Nations. + +III. The demand for a proper organisation of the Community of States +had, up to the outbreak of the World War, been raised exclusively on the +part of the so-called Pacifists in order to make the abolition of war a +possibility. It is a common assertion on the part of the Pacifists that +War cannot die out so long as there is no Central Political Authority in +existence above the several States which could compel them to bring +their disputes before an International Court and also compel them to +carry out the judgments of such a Court. For this reason many Pacifists +aim at such an organisation of the Community of States as would bring +all the civilised States of the world within the bonds of a federation. +They demand a World Federation of all the civilised States, or at any +rate a federation of the States of Europe, on the model of the United +States of America. + +If such a Federal World State were practically possible, there would be +no objection to it, although International Law as such would cease to +exist and be replaced by the Constitutional Law of this Federal World +State. But in my first lecture I pointed out that such a Federal World +State is practically impossible. And it is not even desirable. + +The development of mankind would seem in the main to be indissolubly +connected with the national development of the peoples. Most peoples +possessing a strong national consciousness desire an independent State +in which they can live according to their own ideals. They want to be +their own masters, and not to be part and parcel of a Federal World +State to which they would have to surrender a great part of their +independence. Moreover--as I likewise pointed out in my first lecture +(pp. 18-20)--it would be impossible to establish a strong Government and +a strong Parliament in a Federal World State. + +However this may be, it is not at all certain that war would altogether +disappear in a Federal World State. The history of Federal States +teaches that wars do occasionally break out between their member States. +Think of the war between the Roman Catholic and the Protestant member +States of the Swiss Confederation in 1847, of the war in 1863 between +the Northern and the Southern member States within the Federation which +is called the United States of America, and of the war between Prussia +and Austria within the German Confederation in 1866. + +IV. But what kind of organisation of the League of Nations is possible +if we reject the idea of a Federal State? + +Neither I, nor anyone else who does not like to build castles in the +air, can answer this question directly by making a detailed proposal. It +is at present quite impossible to work out a practical scheme according +to which a more detailed organisation of the League of Nations could be +realised. But so much is certain that every attempt at organising this +League must start from, and must keep intact, the independence and the +equality of all civilised States. It is for this reason that a Central +Political Authority above the sovereign States can never be thought of. +Every attempt to organise a League of Nations on the model of a Federal +State is futile. If a detailed organisation of the League should ever +come, it will be one _sui generis_, one absolutely of its own kind; such +as has never been seen before. And it is at present quite impossible to +map out a detailed plan of such an organisation although, as I shall +have to show you later, the first step towards an organisation has +already been made, and further steps towards the ideal can be taken. The +reason that it is at present impossible is that the growth and the final +shape of the organisation of the League of Nations will, and must, go +hand in hand with the progress of International Law. But the progress of +International Law is conditioned by the growth, the strengthening, and +the deepening of international economic and other interests, and of +international morality. It is a matter of course that this progress can +only be realised very slowly, for there is concerned a process of +development through many generations and perhaps through centuries, a +development whose end no one can foresee. It is sufficient for us to +state that the development had already begun before the World War, and +to try to foster it, as far as is in our power, after the conclusion of +peace. + +V. I said that this development has begun. Where is this beginning of +the development to be found? + +It is to be found in the establishment of the Permanent Court of +Arbitration at the Hague and the Office therewith connected. The +Permanent Court of Arbitration is not an institution of the several +States, but an institution of the Community of States in +contradistinction to its several members. Had the International Prize +Court agreed upon by the Second Hague Peace Conference of 1907 been +established, there would have come into existence another institution of +the Community of States. + +But the establishment of International Courts would not justify the +assertion that thereby the Community of States has turned from an +unorganised community into an organised community. To reach this goal +another step is required, namely an agreement amongst the Powers, +according to which the Hague Peace Conferences would be made a permanent +institution which periodically, within fixed intervals, assemble without +being convened by one Power or another. If this were done, we could say +that the hitherto unorganised Community of States had turned into an +organised League of Nations, for by such periodically assembling Hague +Peace Conferences there would be established an organ for the conduct +of all such international matters as require international legislation +or other international action. + +However that may be, the organisation created by the fact that the Hague +Peace Conferences periodically assembled, would only be an immature one; +more steps would be necessary in order that the organisation of the +Community of States might become more perfect and more efficient. Yet +progress would be slow, for every attempt at a progressive step meets +with opposition, and it would be only when the _international_ interests +of the civilised States become victorious over their particular +_national_ interests that the Community of States would gradually +receive a more perfect organisation. + +VI. There is no doubt that the experiences of mankind during the World +War have been quickening development more than could have been expected +in normal times. The universal demand for a new League of Nations +accepting the principles that every judicial dispute amongst nations +must be settled by International Courts and that every political dispute +must, before the parties resort to arms, be brought before a Council of +Conciliation, demonstrates clearly that the Community of States must now +deliberately give itself some kind of organisation, because without it +the principles just mentioned cannot be realised. + +Now a number of schemes for the organisation of a new League of Nations +have been made public. They all agree upon the three aims of the League +and the three rules for the realisation of these aims which I mentioned +in my first lecture, namely compulsory settlement of all judicial +disputes by International Courts of Justice, compulsory mediation in +cases of political disputes by an International Council of Conciliation, +and the duty of the members of the League to turn against any one member +which should resort to arms in violation of the principles laid down by +the League. However, these schemes differ very much with regard to the +_organisation_ of the League. I cannot now discuss the various schemes +in detail. It must suffice to say that some of them embody proposals for +a more or less state-like organisation and are therefore not acceptable +to those who share my opinion that any state-like organisation of the +League is practically impossible. But though some of the schemes, as for +instance that of Lord Bryce and that of Sir Willoughby Dickinson, avoid +this mistake, none of them take as their starting point that which I +consider to be the right one, namely the beginning made at the two Hague +Peace Conferences. _In my opinion the organisation of a new League of +Nations should start from the beginning made by the two Hague Peace +Conferences._ + +VII. However, there is much objection to this, because it would +necessitate the admission into the new League of all those States which +took part in the Second Hague Peace Conference, including, of course, +the Central Powers. The objections to such a wide range of the League +are two-fold. + +In the first instance, the admission of the Central Powers, and +especially of Germany, into the League is deprecated. By her attack on +Belgium at the outbreak of the war, and by her general conduct of the +war, Germany has deliberately taken up an attitude which proves that, +when her military interests are concerned, she does not consider herself +bound by any treaty, by any rule of law, or by any principle of +humanity. How can we expect that she will carry out the engagements into +which she might enter by becoming a member of the League of Nations? + +My answer is that, provided she be utterly defeated and no peace of +compromise be made with her, militarism in Germany will be doomed, the +reparation to be exacted from her for the many cruel wrongs must lead to +a change of Constitution and Government, and this change of Constitution +and Government will make Germany a more acceptable member of a new +League of Nations. The utter defeat of Germany is a necessary +preliminary condition to the possibility of her entrance into a League +of Nations. Those who speak of the foundation of a League of Nations as +a means of ending the World War by a peace of compromise with Germany +are mistaken. The necessary presuppositions of such a League are +entirely incompatible with an unbroken Prussian militarism. + +But while her utter defeat is the necessary preliminary condition to her +entrance into a League of Nations, the inclusion of Germany in the +League, after her utter defeat, is likewise a necessity. The reason is +that, as I pointed out in my first lecture (p. 17), in case the Central +Powers were excluded from the League, they would enter into a League of +their own, and the world would then be divided into two rival camps, in +the same way as before the war the Triple Alliance was faced by the +Entente. _The world would be proved not ripe for a new League of Nations +if peace were concluded with an undefeated Germany; and the League would +miss its purpose if to a defeated and repenting Germany entrance into it +were refused._ + +VIII. In the second instance, the entrance of the great number of minor +transoceanic States into the League is deprecated because these States +would claim an equal vote with the European Powers and thereby obstruct +progress within the League. + +It is asserted that some of the minor transatlantic States made the +discussions at the Hague Conferences futile by their claim to an equal +vote. Now it is true that some of these States have to a certain extent +impeded the work of the Hague Conferences, but some of the minor States +of Europe, and even some of the Great Powers, have done likewise. The +Community of States consisting of sovereign States does not possess any +means of compelling a minority of States to fall in with the views of +the majority, but I shall show you very soon, when I approach the +problem of International Legislation, that International Legislation of +a kind is possible in spite of this fact. And so much is certain that +the minimum of organisation of the new League which is now necessary, +cannot be considered to be endangered by the admittance of the minor +transoceanic States into the League. Progress will in any case be slow, +and perfect unanimity among the Powers will in any and every case only +be possible where the _international_ interests of all the Powers compel +them to put aside their real or imaginary particular _national_ +interests. + +IX. For these reasons I take it for granted that the organisation of a +new League of Nations should start from the beginning made by the Hague +Peace Conferences. Therefore the following seven principles ought to be +accepted: + + First principle: The League of Nations is composed of all civilised + States which recognise one another's external and internal + independence and absolute equality before International Law. + + Second principle: The chief organ of the League is the Peace + Conference at the Hague. The Peace Conferences meet + periodically--say every two or three years--without being convened + by any special Power. Their task is the gradual codification of + International Law and the agreement upon such International + Conventions as are from time to time necessitated by new + circumstances and conditions. + + Third principle: A permanent Council of the Conference is to be + created, the members of which are to be resident at the Hague and + are to conduct all the current business of the League of Nations. + This current business comprises: The preparation of the meetings of + the Peace Conference; the conduct of communications with the several + members of the League with regard to the preparation of the work of + the Peace Conferences; and all other matters of international + interest which the Conference from time to time hands over to the + Council. + + Fourth principle: Every recognised sovereign State has a right to + take part in the Peace Conferences. + + Fifth principle: Resolutions of the Conference can come into force + only in so far as they become ratified by the several States + concerned. On the other hand, every State agrees once for all + faithfully to carry out those resolutions which have been ratified + by it. + + Sixth principle: Every State that takes part in the Peace + Conferences is bound only by such resolutions of the Conferences as + it expressly agrees to and ratifies. Resolutions of a majority only + bind the majority. On the other hand, no State has a right to demand + that only such resolutions as it agrees to shall be adopted. + + Seventh principle: All members of the League of Nations agree once + for all to submit all judicial disputes to International Courts + which are to be set up, and to abide by their judgments. They + likewise agree to submit, previous to resorting to arms, all + non-judicial disputes to International Councils of Conciliation + which are to be set up. And they all agree to unite their economic, + military, and naval forces against any one or more States which + resort to arms without submitting their disputes to International + Courts of Justice or International Councils of Conciliation. + +You will have noticed that my proposals do not comprise the creation of +an International Government, an International Executive, an +International Parliament, and an International Army and Navy which would +serve as an International Police Force. No one can look into the future +and say what it will bring, but it is certain that for the present, and +for some generations to come, all attempts at creating an International +Government are not only futile but dangerous; because it is almost +certain that a League of Nations comprising an International Executive, +an International Parliament, and an International Army and Navy would +soon collapse. + +X. However this may be, and whatever may be the details of the +organisation of the League, such necessary organisation is not an end in +itself but a means of attaining three objects, namely: International +Legislation, International Administration of Justice, and International +Mediation. I shall discuss International Administration of Justice and +International Mediation in my next lecture, to-day I will only draw your +attention to International Legislation. + +In using the term 'International Legislation,' it must be understood +that 'legislation' is here to be understood in a figurative sense only. +When we speak of legislation in everyday language, we mean that process +of parliamentary activity by which Municipal Statutes are called into +existence. Municipal Legislation presupposes a sovereign power, which +prescribes rules of conduct to its subjects. It is obvious that within +the Community of States no such kind of legislation can take place. +Rules of conduct for the members of the League of Nations can only be +created by an agreement amongst those members. Whereas Municipal +Statutes contain the rules of conduct set by an authority sovereign over +its subjects, International Statutes--if I may be allowed to use that +term--contain rules of conduct which the members of the Community of +States have agreed to set for themselves. International Statutes are +created by the so-called Law-making Treaties of the Powers. But in one +point Municipal Legislation and the Law-making Treaties of the Powers +resemble one another very closely:--both intend to create law, and for +this reason it is permissible to use the term 'International +Legislation' figuratively for the conclusion of such international +treaties as contain rules of International Law. + +Now it would be very misleading to believe that no International +Legislation has taken place in the past. The fact is that, from the +Vienna Congress of 1815 onwards, agreements have been arrived at upon a +number of rules of International Law. However, such agreements have only +occurred occasionally, because the Community of civilised States has not +hitherto possessed a permanently established organ for legislating. Much +of the legislation which has taken place in the past was only a +by-product of Congresses or Conferences which had assembled for other +purposes. On the other hand, when legislation on a certain subject was +considered pressing, a Congress or Conference was convened for that +very purpose. It will be only when the Hague Peace Conferences have +become permanently established that an organ of the League of Nations +for legislating internationally will be at hand. And a wide field is +open for such legislation. The bulk of International Law in its present +state is--if I may say so--a book law, it is customary law which is only +to be found in text-books of International Law; it is, as regards many +points, controversial; it has many gaps; and it is in many ways +uncertain. International Legislation will be able gradually to create +international statutes which will turn this book law into firm, clear, +and authoritative statutory law. + +XI. But you must not imagine that International Legislation is an easy +matter. It is in fact full of difficulties of all kinds. I will only +mention four: + +There is, firstly, the language question. Since it is impossible to +draft International Statutes in all languages, it is absolutely +necessary to agree upon one language, and this language at present is, +as you all know, French. Yet, difficult as the language question is, it +is not insurmountable. It is hardly greater than the difficulty which +arises when two States, which speak different languages, have to agree +upon an ordinary convention. One point, however, must be specially +observed, and that is: when any question of the interpretation of an +International Statute occurs, it is the French text of the statute which +is authoritative, and not the text of the translation into other +languages. + +XII. Another difficulty with regard to International Legislation is the +conflicting _national_ interests of the different States. As +International Statutes are only possible when the several States come to +an agreement, it will often not be possible to legislate internationally +on a given matter, because the interests of the different States will be +so conflicting that an agreement cannot be arrived at. On the other +hand, as time goes on the international interests of the several States +frequently become so powerful that these Governments are quite ready to +brush aside their particular interests, and to agree upon a compromise +which makes International Legislation concerning the matter in question +possible. + +XIII. A third difficulty with regard to International Legislation is of +quite a particular kind. It arises from the fact that International +Statutes cannot be created by a vote of the majority of States, but only +by a unanimous vote of all the members of the Community of civilised +States. + +This difficulty, however, can be overcome by dropping the contention +that no legislation of any kind can be proceeded with unless every +member of the League of Nations agrees to it. It is a well-known fact +that a distinction has to be made between _universal_ International Law, +that is, rules to which every civilised State agrees, and _general_ +International Law, that is, rules to which only the greater number of +States agree. Now it is quite certain that no universal International +Law can be created by legislation to which not every member of the +League of Nations has agreed. Nothing, however, ought to prevent those +States which are ready to agree to certain new rules of International +Law, from legislating _for their own number_ on a certain matter. If +such legislation is really of value, the time will come when the +dissenting States will gradually accede. The Second Hague Peace +Conference acted on this principle, for a good many of its Conventions +were only agreed upon by the greater number, and not by all, of the +participating States. + +XIV. A fourth difficulty with regard to International Legislation is the +difficulty of the interpretation of, and the construction to be put +upon, International Statutes as well as ordinary international +conventions. We do not as yet possess universally recognised rules of +International Law concerning such interpretation and construction. Each +nation applies to International Statutes those rules of interpretation +and construction which are valid for the interpretation and construction +of their Municipal Statutes. + +Many international disputes have been due in the past to this difficulty +of interpretation and construction. A notorious example is that of the +interpretation of Article 23(h) of the Hague Regulations of 1907 +concerning Land Warfare, which lays down the rule that it is forbidden +'to declare abolished, suspended, or inadmissible in a Court of Law the +rights and actions of the nationals of the hostile party.' + +Germany and other continental States interpret this article to mean that +the Municipal Law of a State is not allowed to declare that the +outbreak of war suspends or avoids contracts with alien enemies, or +that war prevents alien enemies from bringing an action in the Courts. + +On the other hand, England and the United States of America interpret +this article to mean merely that the _occupant of enemy territory_ is +prohibited from declaring abolished, suspended, or inadmissible in a +Court of Law the rights and actions of the nationals of the hostile +party. + +What is the cause of this divergent interpretation of an article, the +literal meaning of which seems to be quite clear? The divergence is due +to the different mode of interpretation of statutes resorted to by +continental Courts, on the one hand, and, on the other hand, by British +and American Courts. + +Continental Courts take into consideration not only the literal meaning +of a clause of a statute, but also the intention of the legislator as +evidenced by--what I should like to call--the history of the clause. +They look for the intention of the draftsman, they search the +Parliamentary proceedings concerning the clause, and they interpret and +construe the clause with regard to the intention of the draftsman as +well as to the proceedings in Parliament. + +Now Article 23(h) of the Hague Regulations was inserted on the motion of +the German delegates to the Second Hague Peace Conference, and there is +no doubt that the German delegates intended by its insertion to prevent +the Municipal Law of belligerents from possessing a rule according to +which the outbreak of war suspends or avoids contracts with alien +enemies, and prohibits alien enemies from bringing an action in the +Courts. It is for this reason that Germany and other continental States +interpret Article 23(h) according to the intention of the German +delegates. + +On the other hand, in interpreting and construing a clause of a statute, +British and American Courts refuse to take into consideration the +intention of the draftsman, Parliamentary discussions concerning the +clause, and the like. They only take into consideration the literal +meaning of the clause as it stands in the statute of which it is a part. +Now Article 23(h) is a clause in the Convention concerning the Laws and +Customs of War on Land. It is one of several paragraphs of Article 23 +which comprises the prohibition of a number of acts by the armed forces +of belligerents in warfare on land, such as the employment of poison or +poisoned arms, and the like. The British and American delegates, +believing that it only concerned an act on the part of belligerent +forces occupying enemy territory, therefore consented to the insertion +of Article 23(h), and our Court of Appeal--in the case of Porter _v._ +Freundenberg (1915)--held that Article 23(h) is to be interpreted in +that sense.[1] + +Be that as it may, the difficulty of interpretation and construction of +international treaties will exist so long as no International Statute +has been agreed upon which lays down detailed rules concerning +interpretation and construction, or so long as International Courts have +not developed such rules in practice. But the problem of International +Courts is itself a very difficult one; it will be the subject of my +third lecture which will deal with Administration of Justice and +Mediation within the League of Nations. + +[1] By a letter of February 28, 1911, I drew the attention of the +Foreign Office to the interpretation of Article 23(h) which generally +prevailed on the Continent. This letter and the answer I received were +privately printed, and copies were distributed amongst those members and +associates of the Institute of International Law who attended the +meeting at Madrid. Since French, German, and Italian International Law +Journals published translations, but the original of the correspondence +was never published in this country, I think it advisable to append it +to this lecture. + + +APPENDIX + +CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE FOREIGN OFFICE RESPECTING THE INTERPRETATION OF +ARTICLE 23(h) OF THE HAGUE REGULATIONS CONCERNING LAND WARFARE + + +LETTER FROM THE PRESENT WRITER TO THE FOREIGN OFFICE. + + WHEWELL HOUSE, CAMBRIDGE, + _28th February, 1911_. + + TO + THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE + FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS. + +SIR,-- + +I venture to bring the following matter before your consideration:-- + +In the course of my recent studies I have been dealing with the laws and +usages of war on land, and I have had to consider the interpretation of +Article 23(h) of the Regulations attached to the Convention of 1907 +relating to the Laws and Customs of war on land. I find that the +interpretation prevailing among all continental and some English and +American authorities is contrary to the old English rule, and I would +respectfully ask to be informed of the view which His Majesty's +Government place upon the article in question. + +To give some idea as to how an interpretation of Article 23(h) contrary +to the old English rule prevails generally, I will quote a number of +French, German, English, and American writers, the works of whom I have +at hand in my library, and I will also quote the German _Weissbuch_ +concerning the results of the second Hague Conference of 1907. + +Bonfils, _Manuel de droit international public_, 5th ed. by Fauchille, +1908, discusses, on page 651, the doctrine which denies to an enemy +subject any _persona standi in judicio_, but adds:--'... Article 23(h) +decide qu'il est interdit de declarer eteints, suspendus ou non +recevables en justice, les droits et actions des nationaux de la partie +adverse.' + +Politis, Professor of International Law in the University of Poitiers +(France), in his report to the Institute of International Law, Session +of Paris (1910), concerning _Effets de la Guerre sur les Obligations +Internationales et les Contrats prives_, page 18, says: + +'Un point hors de doute, c'est, que la guerre ne peut, ni par elle-meme +ni par la volonte des belligerants, affecter la validite ou l'execution +des contrats anterieurs. Cette regle fait desormais partie du droit +positif. L'article 23(h) du nouveau Reglement de la Haye interdit +formellement aux belligerants "de declarer eteints, suspendus ou non +recevables en justice les droits et actions des nationaux de la partie +adverse." + +'Cette formule condamne d'anciens usages conserves encore, en partie, +dans certains pays. Elle proscrit d'abord tous les moyens--annulation ou +confiscation--par lesquels on chercherait a atteindre, dans leur +existence, les droits nes avant la guerre. Elle exclut, en second lieu, +l'ancienne pratique qui interdisait aux particuliers ennemis l'acces des +tribunaux. Elle prohibe, enfin, toutes les mesures legislatives ou +autres tendant a entraver au cours de la guerre l'execution ou les +effets utiles des obligations privees, notamment le cours des interets. + +'Il y a la progres incontestable. Et l'on doit etre reconnaissant a la +delegation allemande a la 2e Conference de la paix de l'avoir provoque. + +'L'accueil empresse et unanime qu'a recu cette heureuse initiative +permet d'esperer que de nouveaux progres pourront etre realises dans cet +ordre d'idees. + +'On doit souhaiter que la disposition de l'article 23(h), etrangere a +l'hypothese de l'occupation du territoire ennemi, soit distraite du +reglement de 1907 (comme les articles 57 a 60 l'ont ete du Reglement de +1899) pour etre mieux placee dans une convention nouvelle, ou d'autres +textes viendraient la completer.' + +Ullmann, _Voelkerrecht_, 2nd ed. 1908, p. 474, says:-- + +'Auch der Rechtsverkehr wird durch den Ausbruch des Krieges nicht +unterbrochen oder gehemmt. Die nach Landesrecht frueher uebliche +zeitweise Aufhebung der Klagbarkeit vom Schuldverbindlichkeiten des +Staates oder eines Angehoerigen gegen Angehoerige des Feindes ist durch +Artikel 23(h) untersagt.' + +Wehberg, _Das Beuterecht im Land- und Seekriege_, 1909, pp. 5 and 6 +says:-- + +'Article 46 Absatz 2 bestimmt:--"Das Privateigentum darf nicht +eingezogen werden." In konsequenter Durchfuehrung dieses Satzes bestimmt +der auf deutschen Antrag 1907 hinzugefuegte Article 23(h):--"Untersagt +ist die Aufhebung oder zeitweilige Ausserkraftsetzung der Rechte und +Forderungen von Angehoerigen der Gegenpartei oder der Ausschliessung +ihrer Klagbarkeit."' + +Whittuck, _International Documents_, London 1908, Introduction p. xxvii, +says--'In Article 23(h) it is prohibited to declare abolished, suspended +or inadmissible in a court of law the rights and actions of the +nationals of the other belligerent which is a development of the +principle that the private property of the subjects of a belligerent is +not subject to confiscation. This new prohibition if accepted by this +country would necessitate some changes in our municipal law.' + +Holland, _The Laws of War on Land_, 1908, says on p. 5 that:--'Article +23(h) seems to require the Signatory Powers to the convention concerned +to legislate for the abolition of an enemy's disability to sustain a +_persona standi in judicio_.' (See also Holland, _loco citato_, p. 44, +where he expresses his doubts concerning the interpretation of Article +23(h).) + +Bordwell, _The Law of War between Belligerents_, Chicago 1908, +recognises on page 210 the fact that according to Article 23(h) an alien +enemy must now be allowed to sue in the courts of a belligerent, and + +Gregory, Professor in the University of Iowa, who reviews Bordwell's +work in the _American Journal of International Law_, Volume 3 (1909), +page 788, takes up the same standpoint. + +The only author who interprets Article 23(h) in a different way is +General Davis, who in his _Elements of International Law_, 3rd edition +1908, page 578, note 1, says:-- + +'It is more than probable that this humane and commendable purpose would +fail of accomplishment if a military commander conceived it to be within +his authority to suspend or nullify their operation, or to regard their +application in certain cases as a matter falling within his +administrative discretion. Especially is this true where a military +officer refuses to receive well grounded complaints, or declines to +receive demands for redress, in respect to the acts or conduct of the +troops under his command, from persons subject to the jurisdiction of +the enemy who find themselves, for the time being, in the territory +which he holds in military occupation. To provide against such a +contingency it was deemed wise to add an appropriate declaratory clause +to the prohibition of Article 23.' + +It is very unfortunate that the book of General Davis is not at all +known on the Continent, and that therefore none of the continental +authors have any knowledge of the fact that a divergent interpretation +from their own of Article 23(h) is being preferred by an American +author. + +It is likewise very unfortunate that neither the English Bluebook on the +Second Hague Peace Conference (see Parliamentary Papers, Miscellaneous +No. 4, 1907, page 104) nor the official minutes of the proceedings of +the Conference, edited by the Dutch Government, give any such +information concerning the construction of Article 23(h) as could assist +a jurist in forming an opinion regarding the correct interpretation. + +It is, however, of importance to take notice of the fact that Article +23(h) is an addition to Article 23 which was made on the proposition of +Germany, and that Germany prefers an interpretation of Article 23(h) +which would seem to coincide with the interpretation preferred by all +the continental writers. This becomes clearly apparent from the German +_Weissbuch ueber die Ergebnisse der im Jahre 1907 in Haag abgehaltenen +Friedensconferenz_, which contains on page 7 the following:-- + +'Der Artikel 23 hat gleichfalls auf deutschen Antrag zwei wichtige +Zusaetze erhalten. Durch den ersten wird der Grundsatz der +Unverletzlichkeit des Privateigenthumes auch auf dem Gebiete der +Forderungsrechte anerkannt. Nach der Gesetzgebung einzelner Staaten soll +naemlich der Krieg die Folge haben, dass die Schuldverbindlichkeiten des +Staates oder seiner Angehoerigen gegen Angehoerige des Feindes aufgehoben +oder zeitweilig ausser Kraft gesetzt oder wenigstens von der +Klagbarkeit ausgeschlossen werden. Solche Vorschriften werden nun durch +den Artikel 23 Abs. 1 unter h fuer unzulaessig erklaert.' + +However this may be, the details given above show sufficiently that a +divergent interpretation of Article 23(h) from the old English rule is +prevalent on the Continent, and is to some extent also accepted by +English and American Authorities, and it is for this reason that I would +ask whether His Majesty's Government consider that the old English rule +is no longer in force. + + I have, &c., + + (Signed) L. OPPENHEIM. + + +LETTER FROM THE FOREIGN OFFICE TO THE PRESENT WRITER. + + FOREIGN OFFICE, + _March 27, 1911_. + +SIR,-- + +I am directed by Secretary Sir E. Grey to thank you for your letter of +February 28th, and for drawing his attention to the misconceptions which +appear to prevail so largely among the continental writers on +international law with regard to the purport and effect of Article 23(h) +of the Convention of October 18th, 1907, respecting the laws and customs +of war on land. + +It seems very strange that jurists of the standing of those from whose +writings you quote could have attributed to the article in question the +meaning and effect they have given it if they had studied the general +scheme of the instrument in which it finds a place. + +The provision is inserted at the end of an article dealing with the +prohibited modes of warfare. It forms part of Chapter I. of Section II. +of the Regulations annexed to the Convention. The title of Chapter I. is +'Means of injuring the enemy, sieges and bombardment': and if the +article itself is examined it will be seen to deal with such matters as +employing poison or poisoned weapons, refusing quarter, use of treachery +and the unnecessary destruction of private property. Similarly the +following articles (24 to 28) all deal with the restrictions which the +nations felt it incumbent upon them from a sense of humanity to place +upon the conduct of their armed forces in the actual prosecution of +military operations. + +The Regulation in which these articles figure is itself merely an annex +to the Convention which alone forms the contractual obligation between +the parties, and the engagement which the parties to the Convention have +undertaken is (Article 1) to 'issue instructions to their armed land +forces in conformity with the Regulations respecting the Law and Customs +of war on land.' + +This makes it abundantly clear that the purpose and scope of the +Regulations is limited to the proceedings of the armies in the field; +those armies are under the orders of the commanders, and the Governments +are bound to issue instructions to those commanders to act in accordance +with the Regulations. That is all. There is nothing in the Convention or +in the Regulations dealing with the rights or the status of the +non-combatant individuals, whether of enemy nationality or domiciled in +enemy territory. They are, of course, if inhabitants of the theatre of +war, affected by the provisions of the Regulations because they are +individuals who are affected by the military operations, and in a sense +a regulation which forbids a military commander from poisoning a well +gives a non-combatant inhabitant a right or a quasi-right not to have +his well poisoned, but his rights against his neighbours, his relations +with private individuals, whether of his own or of enemy nationality, +remain untouched by this series of rules for the conduct of warfare on +land. + +Turning now to the actual wording of Article 23(h) it will be seen that +it begins with the wording 'to declare.' It is particularly forbidden +'to _declare_ abolished, &c.' This wording necessarily contemplates the +issue of some proclamation or notification purporting to abrogate or to +change rights previously existing and which would otherwise have +continued to exist, and in view of Article I of the Convention this +hypothetical proclamation must have been one which it was assumed the +commander of the army would issue; consequently, stated broadly, the +effect of Article 23(h) is that a commander in the field is forbidden to +attempt to terrorise the inhabitants of the theatre of war by depriving +them of existing opportunities of obtaining relief to which they are +entitled in respect of private claims. + +Sir E. Grey is much obliged to you for calling his attention to the +extract which you quote from the German White Book. This extract may be +translated as follows:--'Article 23 has also received on German +proposal two weighty additions. By the first the fundamental principle +of the inviolability of private property in the domain of legal claims +is recognised. According to the legislation of individual states, war +has the result of extinguishing or temporarily suspending, or at least +of suppressing the liability of the state or its nationals to be sued by +nationals of the enemy. These prescriptions have now been declared +inadmissible by Article 23(h).' + +The original form of the addition to Article 23 which the German +delegates proposed was as follows: 'de declarer eteintes, suspendues ou +non recevables les reclamations privees de ressortissants de la Partie +adverse' (see proces-verbal of the 2nd meeting of the 1st sub-Committee +of the 2nd Committee, 10th July, 1907). + +There is nothing to show that any explanation was vouchsafed to the +effect that the proposed addition to the article was intended to mean +more than its wording necessarily implied, though there is a statement +by one of the German delegates in the proces-verbal of the 1st meeting +of the 1st sub-Committee of the 2nd Committee, on July 3rd, which in all +probability must have referred to this particular amendment, though the +proces-verbal does not render it at all clear; nor is the statement +itself free from ambiguity. An amendment was suggested and accepted at +the second meeting to add the words 'en justice' after 'non recevables,' +and in this form the sub-article was considered by an examining +committee, was accepted and incorporated in Article 23, and brought +before and accepted by the Conference in its 4th Plenary Sitting on the +17th August, 1907. + +The subsequent alteration in the wording must have been made by the +Drafting Committee, but cannot have been considered to affect the +substance of the provision, as in the 10th Plenary Sitting on October +17th, 1907, the reporter of the Drafting Committee, in dealing with the +verbal amendments made in this Convention, merely said, 'En ce qui +concerne le reglement lui-meme, je n'appellerai pas votre attention sur +les differentes modifications de style sans importance que nous y avons +introduites.' + +Nor is there anything to indicate any such far-reaching interpretation +as the German White Book suggests in the report which accompanied the +draft text of the Convention when it was brought before the Plenary +Sitting of the Conference (Annex A. to 4th Plenary Sitting). It merely +states that the addition is regarded as embodying in very happy terms a +consequence of the principles accepted in 1899. + +The result appears to Sir E. Grey to be that neither the wording nor the +context nor the circumstances attending the introduction of the +provision which now figures as Article 23(h) support the interpretation +which the writers you quote place upon it and which the German White +Book endorses. + +Sir E. Grey notices that, in the extract you quote, Monsieur Politis, +after placing his own interpretation upon the article, remarks that it +is quite foreign to the hypothesis of the occupation of territory and +ought to be removed from the Regulations and turned into a Convention by +itself. If this interpretation were correct, this remark of Monsieur +Politis is certainly true: but the fact that the provision appears where +it does should have suggested to Monsieur Politis that it does not bear +the interpretation he puts upon it. + +Nor does it appear to Sir E. Grey that the provision conflicts with the +principle of the English common law that an enemy subject is not +entitled to bring an action in the courts to sustain a contract, +commerce with enemy subjects being illegal. + +That principle operates automatically on the outbreak of war, it +requires no declaration by the Government, still less by a commander in +the field, to bring it into operation. It is a principle which applies +equally whether the war is being waged on land or sea, and which is +applied in all the courts and not merely in those within the field of +the operations of the military commanders. + +The whole question of the effect of war upon the commerce of private +persons may require reconsideration in the future; the old rules may be +scarcely consistent with the requirements or the conditions of modern +commerce; but a modification of those rules is not one to which His +Majesty's Government could be a party except after careful enquiry and +consideration, and, when made at all, it must be done by a convention +that applies to war both on land and sea. + +They certainly have not become parties to any such modification by +agreeing to a convention which relates only to the instructions they are +to give the commanders of their armed forces, and which is limited to +war on land. + + I am, &c., + + (Signed) F. A. CAMPBELL. + + + + +THIRD LECTURE + +ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE AND MEDIATION WITHIN THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS + + +SYNOPSIS + + I. Administration of Justice within the League is a question of + International Courts, but it is incorrect to assert that + International Legislation necessitates the existence of + International Courts. + + II. The Permanent Court of Arbitration created by the First Hague + Peace Conference. + + III. The difficulties connected with International Administration of + Justice by International Courts. + + IV. The necessity for a Court of Appeal above the International + Court of First Instance. + + V. The difficulties connected with the setting up of International + Courts of Justice. + + VI. Details of a scheme which recommends itself because it + distinguishes between the Court as a whole and the several Benches + which would be called upon to decide the cases. + + VII. The advantages of the recommended scheme. + + VIII. A necessary provision for so-called complex cases of dispute. + + IX. A necessary provision with regard to the notorious clause _rebus + sic stantibus_. + + X. The two starting points for a satisfactory proposal concerning + International Mediation by International Councils of Conciliation. + Article 8 of the Hague Convention concerning Pacific Settlement of + International disputes. The Permanent International Commissions of + the Bryan Peace Treaties. + + XI. Details of a scheme which recommends itself for the + establishment of International Councils of Conciliation. + + XII. The question of disarmament. + + XIII. The assertion that States renounce their sovereignty by + entering into the League. + + XIV. Conclusion: Can it be expected that, in case of a great + conflict of interests, all the members of the League will faithfully + carry out their engagements? + + +THE LECTURE + +I. My last lecture dealt with the organisation of a League of Nations +and International Legislation by the League. To-day I want to draw your +attention to International Administration of Justice and International +Mediation within the League. + +I begin with International Administration of Justice which, of course, +is a question of International Courts of Justice. Hitherto, although +International Legislation has been to some extent in existence, no +International Courts have been established before which States in +dispute have been compelled to appear. Now there is no doubt that +International Legislation loses in value if there are no arrangements +for International Administration of Justice by independent and permanent +International Courts. Yet it is incorrect to assert, although it is +frequently done, that one may not speak of legislation and a law created +by legislation without the existence of Courts to administer such law. + +Why is this assertion incorrect? Because the function of Courts is to +decide _controversial_ questions of law or of fact in case the +respective parties cannot agree concerning them. However, in most cases +the law is not in jeopardy, and its commands are carried out by those +concerned without any necessity for a Court to declare the law. Modern +International Law has been in existence for several hundred years, and +its commands have in most cases been complied with in the absence of +International Courts. On the other hand, there is no doubt that, if +controversies arise about a question of law or a question of fact, the +authority of the law can be successfully vindicated only by the verdict +of a Court. And it is for this reason that no highly developed Community +can exist for long without Courts of Justice. + +II. The Community of civilised States did not, until the end of the +nineteenth century, possess any permanent institution which made the +administration of international justice possible. When States were in +conflict and, instead of having recourse to arms, resolved to have the +dispute peaceably settled by an award, in every case they agreed upon +so-called arbitration, and they nominated one or more arbitrators, whom +they asked to give a verdict. For this reason, it was an epoch-making +step forward when the First Peace Conference of 1899 agreed upon the +institution of a Permanent Court of Arbitration, and a code of rules for +the procedure before this Court. Although the term 'Permanent Court of +Arbitration,' as applied to the institution established by the First +Hague Peace Conference, is only a euphemism, since actually the Court +concerned is not a permanent one and the members of the Court have in +every case to be nominated by the parties, there is in existence, +firstly, a permanent panel of persons from which the arbitrators may be +selected; secondly, a permanent office at the Hague; and, thirdly, a +code of procedure before the Court. Thereby an institution has been +established which is always at hand in case the parties in conflict +want to make use of it; whereas in former times parties in conflict had +to negotiate a long time in order to set up the machinery for +arbitration. And the short time of twenty years has fully justified the +expectations aroused by the institution of the Permanent Court of +Arbitration, for a good number of cases have been brought before it and +settled to the satisfaction of the parties concerned. + +And the Second Hague Peace Conference of 1907 contemplated further steps +by agreeing upon a treaty concerning the establishment of an +International Court of Appeal in Prize Cases, and upon a draft treaty +concerning a really Permanent International Court of Justice side by +side with the existing Court of Arbitration. Although neither of these +contemplated International Courts has been established, there is no +doubt that, if after the present war a League of Nations becomes a +reality, one or more International Courts of Justice will surely be +established, although the existing Permanent Court of Arbitration may +remain in being. + +III. But just as regards International Legislation, I must warn you not +to imagine that International Administration of Justice by International +Courts is an easy matter. It is in fact full of difficulties of many +kinds. + +The peculiar character of International Law; the rivalry between the +different schools of international jurists, namely the Naturalists, +Positivists, and Grotians; the question of language; the peculiarities +of the systems of law of the different States, of their constitutions, +and many other difficulties, entail the danger that International Courts +may become the arena of national jealousies, of empty talk, and of +political intrigues, instead of being pillars of international justice. + +Everything depends upon what principles will guide the States in their +selection of the individuals whom they appoint as members of +International Courts. Not diplomatists, not politicians, but only men +ought to be appointed who have had a training in law in general, and in +International Law in particular; men who are linguists, knowing, at any +rate, the French language besides their own; men who possess +independence of character and are free from national prejudices of every +kind. There is no doubt that, under present conditions and circumstances +of international life, the institution of International Courts +represents an unheard of experiment. There is, however, likewise no +doubt that _now_ is the time for the experiment to be made, and I +believe that the experiment will be successful, provided the several +States are careful in the appointment of the judges. + +IV. And it must be emphasised that an International Court of Appeal +above the one or several International Courts is a necessity. Just as +Municipal Courts of Justice, so International Courts of Justice are not +infallible. If the States are to be compelled to have their judicial +disputes settled by International Administration of Justice, there must +be a possibility of bringing an appeal from lower International Courts +to a Higher Court. It is only in this way that in time a body of +International Case Law can grow up, which will be equivalent in its +influence upon the practice of the States to the municipal case law of +the different States. + +V. I have hitherto considered in a general way only the difficulties of +International Administration of Justice; I have not touched upon the +particular difficulties connected with the setting up and manning of +International Courts. If the several States could easily agree upon, +say, five qualified men as judges of a Court of First Instance, and +upon, say, seven qualified men as judges of a Court of Appeal, there +would be no difficulty whatever in setting up these two Courts. And +perhaps some generations hence the time may come when such an agreement +will be possible. In our time it cannot be expected, and here therefore +lies the great difficulty in the way of setting up and manning +International Courts of Justice; because there is no doubt that each +State will claim the right to appoint at least one man of its own choice +to sit as judge in the International Court or Courts. And since there +are about fifty or more civilised independent States in existence, the +International Court would comprise fifty or more members. + +Now why would the several States claim a right to appoint at least one +man of their own choice as judge? They would do this because they desire +to have a representative of their own general legal views in the Court. +It is a well-known fact that not only the legal systems which prevail in +the several States differ, but also that there are differences +concerning the fundamental conceptions of justice, law, procedure, and +evidence. Each State fears that an International Court will create a +practice fundamentally divergent from its general legal views, unless +there is at least one representative of its own general legal views +sitting in the Court. + +I think that in spite of everything the difficulty is not insurmountable +provided a scheme for an International Court which follows closely the +model of Municipal Courts is not insisted upon. Just as the organisation +of a League of Nations cannot follow the model of the organisation of a +State, so the attempt to set up an International Court must not aim at +following closely the model of Municipal Courts. What is required is an +institution which secures the settlement of judicial international +disputes by giving judgments on the basis of law. I think this demand +can be satisfied by a scheme which would meet both the claim of each +State to nominate one judge and the necessity not to overcrowd the Bench +which decides each dispute. + +VI. The scheme which I should like to recommend is one which +distinguishes between the Court as a whole and the several Benches which +would be called upon to decide the several cases. It is as follows: + +The Court as a whole to consist of as many judges as there are members +of the League, each member to appoint one judge and one deputy judge who +would take the place of the judge in case of illness or death or other +cause of absence. The President, the Vice-President, and, say, twelve or +fourteen members to constitute the Permanent Bench of the Court and +therefore to be resident the whole year round at the Hague. Half of the +members of this Permanent Bench of the Court to be appointed by the +Great Powers--each Great Power to appoint one--and the other half of the +members to be appointed by the minor Powers. Perhaps the Scandinavian +Powers might agree upon the nomination of one member; Holland and Spain +and Portugal upon another; Belgium, Switzerland, and Luxemburg upon a +third; the Balkan States upon a fourth; Argentina, Brazil, and Chile +upon a fifth; and so on. Anyhow, some arrangement would have to be made +according to which the minor Powers unite upon the appointment of half +the number of the Permanent Bench. + +If a judicial dispute arises between two States, the case to go in the +first instance before a Bench comprising the two judges appointed by the +two States in dispute and a President who, as each case arises, is to be +selected by the Permanent Bench of the Court from the members of this +Bench. This Court of First Instance having given its judgment, each +party to have a right of appeal. The appeal to go before the Permanent +Bench at the Hague, which is to give judgment with a quorum of six +judges with the addition of those judges who served as the Bench of +First Instance. The right of appeal to exist only on questions of law +and not on questions of fact. + +Decisions of the Appeal Court to be binding precedents for itself and +for any Courts of First Instance. But should the Appeal Court desire to +go back on a former decision of law, this to be possible only at a +meeting of the Court comprising at least twelve members of the Permanent +Bench. + +VII. The proposal which I have just sketched, and which will need to be +worked out in detail if it is to be realised, offers the following +advantages: + +Every case would in the first instance be decided by a small Bench which +would enjoy the confidence of both parties because they would have their +own judge in the Court. This point is of particular importance with +regard to the mode of taking evidence and making clear the facts; but is +likewise of importance on account of the divergence of fundamental legal +views and the like. + +Since the Court of Appeal would only decide points of law, the facts as +elucidated by the Bench of First Instance would remain settled. But the +existence of the Court of Appeal would enable the parties to re-argue +questions of law with all details. The fact that six of the Bench which +serves as a Court of Appeal are members of the Permanent Bench would +guarantee a thorough reconsideration of the points of law concerned, and +likewise the maintenance and sequence of tradition in International +Administration of Justice. + +Again, the fact that the Court of Appeal is to comprise, besides six +members of the Permanent Bench, those three judges who sat as the Bench +of First Instance would guarantee that the judges appointed by the +States in dispute could again bring into play any particular views of +law they may hold. + +VIII. This is the outline of my scheme for the establishment and manning +of the International Court of Justice. But before I leave the subject, I +must say a few words concerning two important points which almost all +other schemes for the establishment of an International Court overlook. +Firstly, the necessity to make provision for what I should like to call +complex cases of dispute; namely, cases which are justiciable but in +which, besides the question of law, there is at the same time involved a +vital political principle or claim. Take the case of a South American +State entering into an agreement with a non-American State to lease to +it a coaling station: this case is justiciable, but besides the question +of law there is a political claim involved in it, namely, the Monroe +doctrine of the United States. Unless provision be made for the +settlement of such complex cases, the League of Nations will not be a +success, for it might well happen that a case touches vital political +interests in such a way as not to permit a State to have it settled by a +mere juristic decision. + +Now my proposal to meet such complex cases is that when a party objects +to a settlement of a case on mere juristic principles, although the +other party maintains that it is a justiciable case, the Bench which is +to serve as Bench of First Instance shall investigate the matter with +regard to the question whether the case is more political than legal in +nature. If the Court decides the question in the negative, then the same +Court shall give judgment on the dispute; but, if the Court decides the +question in the affirmative, then the case shall be referred by the +Court to the International Council of Conciliation. Whatever the +decision of the Bench of First Instance may be, each party shall have +the right of appeal to the Permanent Bench which serves as the Court of +Appeal. + +IX. The other point which I desire to mention before I leave the subject +of International Administration of Justice concerns the notorious +principle _conventio omnis intelligitur rebus sic stantibus_. You know +that almost all publicists and also almost all Governments assert the +existence of a customary rule according to which a vital change of +circumstances after ratification of a treaty may be of such a kind as to +justify a party in demanding to be released either from the whole treaty +or from certain obligations stipulated in it. But the meaning of the +term 'vital change of circumstances' is elastic, and there is therefore +great danger that the principle _conventio omnis intelligitur rebus sic +stantibus_ will be abused for the purpose of hiding the violation of +treaties behind the shield of law. This danger will remain so long as +there is no International Court in existence which, on the motion of one +of the contracting parties, could set aside the treaty obligation whose +fulfilment has become so oppressive that in justice the obliged party +might ask to be released. Now, as the League of Nations is to set up an +International Court of Justice, my proposal is that the Court should be +declared competent to give judgment on the claim of a party to a treaty +to be released from its obligations on account of vital change of +circumstances. Of course the case would go before that Bench of the +Court which is to serve as the Court of First Instance, and an appeal +would lie to the Permanent Bench which serves as the Court of Appeal. + +X. Having given you the outlines of a scheme concerning International +Administration of Justice, I now turn to International Mediation by +International Councils of Conciliation. + +For a satisfactory proposal concerning International Councils of +Conciliation two starting points offer themselves. One starting point is +the special form of mediation recommended by Article 8 of the Hague +Convention concerning the pacific settlement of international disputes. +The following is the text of this Article 8: + + 'The Signatory Powers are agreed in recommending the application, + when circumstances allow, of special mediation in the following + form:-- + + 'In case of a serious difference endangering peace, the contending + States choose respectively a Power, to which they intrust the + mission of entering into direct communication with the Power chosen + on the other side, with the object of preventing the rupture of + pacific relations. + + 'For the period of this mandate, the term of which, in default of + agreement to the contrary, cannot exceed thirty days, the States at + variance cease from all direct communication on the subject of the + dispute, which is regarded as referred exclusively to the mediating + Powers. These Powers shall use their best efforts to settle the + dispute. + + 'In case of a definite rupture of pacific relations, these Powers + remain jointly charged with the task of taking advantage of any + opportunity to restore peace.' + +The second starting point is supplied by the Permanent International +Commissions of the so-called Bryan Peace Treaties concluded in 1913-14 +by the United States of America with a number of other States. These +peace treaties are not in every point identical, but of interest to us +here are the clauses according to which Permanent International +Commissions are set up to serve as Councils of Conciliation. The +following is the text of the three articles concerned of the treaty +between the United States and Great Britain of September 15, 1914: + + Art. I. 'The High Contracting Parties agree that all disputes + between them, of every nature whatsoever, other than disputes the + settlement of which is provided for and in fact achieved under + existing agreements between the High Contracting Parties, shall, + when diplomatic methods of adjustment have failed, be referred for + investigation and report to a permanent International Commission, to + be constituted in the manner prescribed in the next succeeding + article; and they agree not to declare war or begin hostilities + during such investigation and before the report is submitted.' + + Art. II. 'The International Commission shall be composed of five + members, to be appointed as follows: One member shall be chosen from + each country, by the Government thereof; one member shall be chosen + by each Government from some third country; the fifth member shall + be chosen by common agreement between the two Governments, it being + understood that he shall not be a citizen of either country. The + expenses of the Commission shall be paid by the two Governments in + equal proportions.' + + 'The International Commission shall be appointed within six months + after the exchange of the ratifications of this treaty; and + vacancies shall be filled according to the manner of the original + appointment.' + + Art. III. 'In case the High Contracting Parties shall have failed to + adjust a dispute by diplomatic methods, they shall at once refer it + to the International Commission for investigation and report. The + International Commission may, however, spontaneously by unanimous + agreement offer its services to that effect, and in such case it + shall notify both Governments and request their co-operation in the + investigation.' + +Keeping in view the special form of mediation recommended by Article 8 +of the Hague Convention concerning the Pacific Settlement of +International Disputes and the stipulations of the Bryan Peace Treaties +concerning Permanent International Commissions, we can reach a +satisfactory solution of the problem of International Mediation if we +take into consideration the two reasons why a League of Nations must +stipulate the compulsion of its members to bring non-justiciable +disputes before a Council of Conciliation previous to resorting to +hostilities. These reasons are, firstly, that war in future shall not be +declared without a previous attempt to have the dispute peaceably +settled, and, secondly, that war in future shall not break out like a +bolt from the blue. + +XI. My proposal concerning International Councils of Conciliation is the +following: + +Every member of the League shall appoint for a term of years--say five +or ten--two conciliators and two deputy conciliators from among their +own subjects, and one conciliator and one deputy conciliator from among +the subjects of some other State. Now when a non-justiciable dispute +arises between two States which has not been settled by diplomatic +means, the three conciliators of each party in dispute shall meet to +investigate the matter, to report thereon, and to propose, if possible, +a settlement. + +According to this proposal there would be in existence a number of +Councils of Conciliation equal to half the number of the members of the +League. Whenever a dispute arises, the Permanent Council of +Conciliation--with which I shall deal presently--shall appoint a +Chairman from amongst its own members. The Council thus constituted +shall investigate the case, report on it, send a copy to each party in +dispute and to the Permanent Council of Conciliation. + +The _Permanent_ Council of Conciliation should be a _small_ Council to +be established by each of the Great Powers appointing one conciliator +and one deputy conciliator for a period of--say--five or ten years. The +reason why only the Great Powers should be represented in the Permanent +Council of Conciliation at the Hague is that naturally, in case coercion +is to be resorted to against a State which begins war without having +previously submitted the dispute to a Council of Conciliation, the Great +Powers will be chiefly concerned. This Permanent Council of Conciliation +would have to watch the political life of the members of the League and +communicate with all the Governments of the members in case the peace of +the world were endangered by the attitude of one of the members; for +instance by one or more of the members arming excessively. The Council +would likewise be competent to draw the attention of States involved in +a dispute to the fact that they ought to bring it before either the +International Court of Justice or their special Council of Conciliation. + +This proposal of mine concerning mediation within the League of Nations +is, of course, sketchy and would need working out in detail if one were +thinking of preparing a full plan for its realisation. However that may +be, my proposal concerning a number of Councils of Conciliation has the +advantage that non-justiciable disputes would in each case be +investigated and reported on by conciliators who have once for all been +appointed by the States in dispute and who therefore possess their +confidence. On the other hand, the proposed Permanent Council of +Conciliation would guarantee to the Great Powers that important +influence which is due to them on account of the fact that they would be +chiefly concerned in case economic, military, or naval measures had to +be resorted to against a recalcitrant member of the League. + +XII. Having discussed International Mediation by International Councils +of Conciliation, I must now turn to two questions which I have hitherto +purposely omitted, although in the eyes of many people they stand in the +forefront of interest, namely, firstly, _disarmament_ as a consequence +of the peaceable settlement of disputes by an International Court of +Justice and International Councils of Conciliation, and, secondly, the +question of the _surrender of sovereignty_ which it is asserted is +involved by the entrance of any State into the proposed League of +Nations. + +Now as regards disarmament, I have deliberately abstained from +mentioning it hitherto, although it is certainly a question of the +greatest importance. The reason for my abstention is a very simple one. +I have always maintained that disarmament can neither diminish the +number of wars nor abolish war altogether, but that, if the number of +wars diminishes or if war be abolished altogether, disarmament will +follow. There is no doubt that when once the new League of Nations is in +being, war will occur much more rarely than hitherto. For this reason +disarmament will _ipso facto_ follow the establishment of a League of +Nations, and the details of such disarmament are matters which will soon +be solved when once the new League has become a reality. Yet I must +emphasise the fact that disarmament is not identical with the total +abolition of armies and navies. The possibility must always be kept in +view that one or more members of the League will be recalcitrant, and +that then the other members must unite their forces against them. And +there must likewise be kept in view the possibility of a war between two +members of the League on account of a political dispute in which +mediation by the International Councils of Conciliation was +unsuccessful. Be that as it may, it is certain that in time disarmament +can take place to a very great extent, and it is quite probable that +large standing armies based on conscription might everywhere be +abolished and be replaced by militia. + +XIII. Let me now turn to the question of sovereignty. Is the assertion +really true that States renounce their sovereignty by entering into the +League? The answer depends entirely upon the conception of sovereignty +with which one starts. If sovereignty were absolutely unfettered liberty +of action, a loss of sovereignty would certainly be involved by +membership of the League, because every member submits to the +obligation never to resort to arms on account of a judicial dispute, and +in case of a political dispute to resort to arms only after having given +an opportunity of mediation to an International Council of Conciliation. +But in fact sovereignty does not mean absolutely boundless liberty of +action; and moreover sovereignty has at no time been a conception upon +the contents of which there has been general agreement. + +The term 'sovereignty' was introduced into political science by Bodin in +his celebrated work 'De la Republique,' which appeared in 1577. Before +that time, the word _souverain_ was used in France for any political or +other authority which was not subordinate to any higher authority; for +instance, the highest Courts were called _cours souveraines_. Now Bodin +gave quite a new meaning to the old term. Being under the influence and +in favour of the policy of centralisation initiated by Louis XI of +France (1461-1483), the founder of French absolutism, Bodin defines +sovereignty as the 'absolute and perpetual power within a State.' +However, even Bodin was far from considering sovereignty to give +absolutely unfettered freedom of action, for he conceded that +sovereignty was restricted by the commandments of God and by the rules +of the Law of Nature. Be that as it may, this conception of sovereignty +once introduced was universally accepted; but at the same time the +meaning of the term became immediately a bone of contention between the +schools of publicists. And it is to be taken into consideration that the +science of politics has learnt to distinguish between sovereignty of +the State and sovereignty of the agents who exercise the sovereign +powers of the State. According to the modern view sovereignty is a +natural attribute of every independent State as a State; and neither the +monarch, nor Parliament, nor the people can possess any sovereignty of +their own. The sovereignty of a monarch, or of a Parliament, or of the +whole people is not an original attribute of their own, but derives from +the sovereignty of the State which is governed by them. It is outside +the scope of this lecture to give you a history of the conception of +sovereignty, it suffices to state the undeniable fact that from the time +when the term was first introduced into political science until the +present day there has never been unanimity with regard to its meaning, +except that it is a synonym for independence of all earthly authority. + +Now, do you believe that the independence of a State is really infringed +because it agrees never to make war on account of a judicial dispute, +and in case of a political dispute not to resort to arms before having +given opportunity of mediation to International Councils of +Conciliation? Independence is not boundless liberty of a State to do +what it likes, without any restriction whatever. The mere fact that +there is an International Law in existence restricts the unbounded +liberty of action of every civilised State, because every State is +prohibited from interfering with the affairs of every other State. The +fact is that the independence of every State finds its limitation in the +independence of every other State. And it is generally admitted that a +State can through conventions--such as a treaty of alliance or of +neutrality or others--enter into many obligations which more or less +restrict its liberty of action. Independence is a question of degree, +and, therefore, it is also a question of degree whether or no the +independence of a State is vitally encroached upon by a certain +restriction. In my opinion the independence of a State is as little +infringed by an agreement to submit all its judicial disputes to the +judgment of a Court and not to resort to arms for a settlement, as the +liberty of a citizen is infringed because in a modern State he can no +longer resort to arms on account of a dispute with a fellow citizen but +must submit it to the judgment of the Court. + +And even if it were otherwise, if the entrance of a State into the new +League of Nations did involve an infringement of its sovereignty and +independence, humanity need not grieve over it. The Prussian conception +of the State as an end in itself and of the authority of the State as +something above everything else and divine--a conception which found +support in the philosophy of Hegel and his followers--is adverse to the +ideal of democracy and constitutional government. Just as Henri IV of +France said 'La France vaut bien une messe,' we may well say 'La paix du +monde vaut bien la perte de l'independance de l'etat.' + +XIV. I have come to the end of this course of lectures, but before we +part I should like, in conclusion, to touch upon a question which has +frequently been put with regard to the proposal of a new League of +Nations:--Can it really be expected that, in case of a great conflict of +interests, all the members of the League will faithfully carry out their +engagements? Will the new League stand the strain of such conflicts as +shake the very existence of States and Nations? Will the League really +stand the test of History? + +History teaches that many a State has entered into engagements with the +intention of faithfully carrying them out, but, when a grave conflict +arose, matters assumed a different aspect, with the consequence that the +engagements remained unfulfilled. Will it be different in the future? +Can the Powers which enter into the League of Nations trust to the +security which it promises? Can they be prepared to disarm, although +there is no guarantee that, when grave conflicts of vital interests +arise, all the members of the League will faithfully stand by their +engagements? + +These are questions which it is difficult to answer because no one can +look into the future. We can only say that, if really constitutional and +democratic government all the world over makes international politics +honest and reliable and excludes secret treaties, all the chances are +that the members of the League will see that their true interests and +their lasting welfare are intimately connected with the necessity of +fulfilling the obligations to which they have submitted by their +entrance into the League. The upheaval created by the present World War, +the many millions of lives sacrificed, and the enormous economic losses +suffered during these years of war, not only by the belligerents but +also by all neutrals, will be remembered for many generations to come. +It would therefore seem to be certain that, while the memory of these +losses in lives and wealth lasts, all the members of the League will +faithfully carry out the obligations connected with the membership of +the League into which they enter for the purpose of avoiding such a +disaster as, like a bolt from the blue, fell upon mankind by the +outbreak of the present war. On the other hand, I will not deny that no +one can guarantee the future; that conflicts may arise which will shake +the foundations of the League of Nations; that the League may fall to +pieces; and that a disaster like the present may again visit mankind. +Our generation can only do its best for the future, and it must be left +to succeeding generations to perpetuate the work initiated by us. + + + + +INDEX + + + Administration of Justice by International Courts, difficulties of, 62; + maintenance of tradition of, 67; + permanent institution for the, 61. + + Aims of the League of Nations defined, 23, 28, 35-36. + + Article 8 of the Hague Convention concerning the Pacific Settlement of + International Disputes, 70. + + Article 23(h) of the Hague Regulations concerning Land Warfare, 45-55; + controversy respecting interpretation of, 45; + correspondence respecting, with Foreign Office, 48-55. + + Autocratic Government, 11. + + + Belgium, 37, 66. + + Bodin, 76. + + Bonfils on Article 23(h) of the Hague Regulations concerning Land + Warfare, 49. + + Bordwell on Article 23(h) of the Hague Regulations concerning Land + Warfare, 50. + + British Empire, 13, 20. + + Bryan Peace Treaties, 71. + + Bryce, Lord, scheme of, 36. + + + Central Powers, the, are they to become members of the League of + Nations? 17, 36; + necessity for utter defeat of, 15, 37. + + Colonies, wars for the acquisition of, 10. + + Complex cases of dispute, how to settle, 68. + + Congress of Vienna, 30, 42. + + Constitutional Government, 10, 11; + necessity for, 19. + + Court of Appeal, International, 66, 67, 69; + manning of, 64. + + Court of Arbitration, establishment of International, 61. + + Court of First Instance, International, 64; + manning of, 66. + + Crucee, Emeric, 9. + + + Davis, General, on Article 23(h) of the Hague Regulations concerning + Land Warfare, 51. + + Democracy, 10, 11. + + Dickinson, scheme of Sir Willoughby, 36. + + Disarmament, 21, 74. + + Dubois, Pierre, 8. + + Dynastic wars, 10. + + + Engagements of the members of the League of Nations, security for + fulfilment of, 79. + + Equality, of States, 33, 39; + of the votes at Hague Peace Conferences, 38. + + + Family, the, a product of natural development, 10. + + Family of Nations, political hegemony of the Great Powers within the, 31. + + Federal World State, A, 18-20; + demanded by Pacifists, 31; + why not possible, 19. + + Foreign Office, letter of, to Professor Oppenheim concerning Article + 23(h), 52-55. + + + German Confederation, civil war within the, 32. + + German Weissbuch on Article 23(h) of the Hague Regulations concerning + Land Warfare, 51, 54, 55. + + Germany, is she to become a member of the League of Nations? 17, 36; + necessity for the utter defeat of, 15, 37. + + Great Powers, 30, 66; + power and influence of the, 29-31. + + Greece, city States of ancient, 7. + + Gregory on Article 23(h) of the Hague Regulations concerning Land + Warfare, 50. + + Grey, Earl, 5, 52, 53, 55. + + Grotians, the School of, 62. + + Grotius, Hugo, 9. + + + Hague Convention concerning the Pacific Settlement of International + Disputes, Article 8 of, 70. + + Hague Peace Conferences, 34; + method of legislating by, 45; + the work of, obstructed by some States, 38; + standing council of, proposed, 39; + starting point of organisation of League of Nations by, 36, 39; + votes of States of equal value at, 38. + + Hague Regulations concerning Land Warfare, controversy respecting + interpretation of Article 23(h) of, 45. + + Henry IV of France, 9, 78. + + Holland, Professor, on Article 23(h) of the Hague Regulations concerning + Land Warfare, 50. + + + Independence of States, what it is, 33, 77. + + International Army and Navy, why impossible, 6, 18, 20-22, 41. + + International Case Law, 64. + + International Council of Conciliation, 28, 40, 69; + scheme for the establishment of, 72-74; + starting points for, 70. + + International Court of Appeal, 66, 67; + a necessity, 63; + manning of, 64. + + International Court of First Instance, 64; + manning of proposed bench to serve as, 64. + + International Court of Justice, 18, 28, 65-68; + manning of, 65; + proposed permanent bench of, 65, 66; + proposed special benches of, for different cases, 66. + + International Courts, claims of all States in manning of, 64; + difficulties of manning of, 65; + precedents of, 64. + + International Executive, why impossible, 19, 41. + + International Government, why impossible, 19. + + International Law, a book law at present, 43; + and League of Nations interdependent, 6, 33; + complied with often without Courts, 60; + grew by custom during Middle Ages, 8; + not in being in antiquity, 6; + progress of, 33, 35, 38; + universal and general, difference between, 44. + + International Legislation, 38, 41-48; + a by-product only in the past, 42; + difficulties of, created by conflicting interests of States, 44; + difficulties of, created by different methods of interpretation and + construction, 45; + difficulties of, created by the fact that a majority vote cannot + create a statute, 44; + difficulties of, created by the language question, 43; + meaning of the term, 41; + possible even without International Courts, 42, 60; + possible only by agreement of all the States, 42; + wide field open for, 43. + + International Statutes, cannot be created by majority vote, 44; + interpretation and construction of, 45; + what are? 42. + + Internationalism, growth of, 12. + + + Law-making treaties, what are? 42. + + 'La France vaut bien une messe,' 78. + + League of Nations, 3, 8; + aims defined, 23, 28, 35-36; + and International Law interdependent, 6; + career in a sense started already, 8, 16; + conception of, very old, 6; + demand for, universal, 11; + impossibility of state-like organisation of, 36; + no unanimity concerning its aims or organisation, 18; + organisation of, demanded, 31; + problems connected with, 24, 28; + seven principles of, which ought to be adopted, 39-41; + so-called, but League of States is meant, 13; + starting point of organisation of, 33, 36, 39; + constitution _sui generis_ of, a necessity, 22, 33; + what is new in the now desired, 11; + when it would be an organised community, 11, 34. + + + Marini, Antoine, 8. + + Mediation, International. _See_ International Council of Conciliation. + + Militarism, conception of, 15; + Prussian, 16. + + + Nation, the, a product of historical development, 10, 14; + conception of, 13, 14; + not to be confounded with race, 13-14. + + Nations, not to be confounded with States, 13, 14. + + Nationality, principle of, 14, 32. + + 'Natura non facit saltus,' 5. + + Naturalists, the School of, 62. + + + Oppenheim, letter of Foreign Office concerning Article 23(h) of the + Hague Regulations to Professor, 52-55. + + + Pacifists, 31. + + Parliament, International, why impossible, 18, 19. + + Permanent Court of Arbitration, International, 34; + establishment of, by the First Peace Conference, 61. + + Permanent International Commissions of the Bryan Peace Treaties, 71. + + Podiebrad, 8. + + Police, International, 6, 41. + + Politis on Article 23(h) of the Hague Regulations concerning Land + Warfare, 49, 55. + + Porter _v._ Freundenberg, case of, 47. + + Positivists, the School of, 62. + + Precedents of International Courts, 66. + + Principle of Nationality, 14, 32. + + Prize Court, International, proposed by Second Peace Conference, 34. + + + Quis custodiet ipsos custodes? 21. + + + Race, a product of natural development, 10; + not to be confounded with Nation, 13, 14. + + Rebus sic stantibus, proposal for dealing with the clause, 69. + + Religion, wars of, 10. + + + Sovereignty, conception of, 75; + not surrendered by entrance into the League of Nations, 74, 75, 78. + + State, ideal of the national, 14. + + States of the World, the 25 Allied belligerent and the 17 neutral, 16-17. + + Statutes, difference between International and Municipal, 42. + + Sully, 9. + + Swiss Confederation, civil war within the, 32. + + Switzerland, 13. + + + Taft, Ex-President, 5. + + Transoceanic States, entrance into League of Nations of, 38. + + Tribe, the, a product of natural development, 10. + + + Ubi societas ibi jus, 8. + + Ullmann, on Article 23(h) of the Hague Regulations concerning Land + Warfare, 50. + + United States, civil war in the, 32. + + + Vienna Congress, the, 30, 42. + + Votes, equality of, at Hague Peace Conferences, 38. + + + Wars for national unity, 10. + + Wehberg on Article 23(h) of the Hague Regulations concerning Land + Warfare, 50. + + Whewell, Dr., 4. + + Whittuck on Article 23(h) of the Hague Regulations concerning Land + Warfare, 50. + + Wilson, President, 5. + + World Federation, a demand of Pacifists, 31. + + + + + AT THE BALLANTYNE PRESS + PRINTED BY SPOTTISWOODE, BALLANTYNE AND CO. LTD. + COLCHESTER, LONDON AND ETON, ENGLAND + + + + +Transcriber's Note: + + Minor typographical errors have been corrected without note. Variant + spellings have been retained. 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