If we wish to substitute for war the settlement of disputes by justice, we must first substitute for the condition of international anarchy a condition of international order.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
War is not, in itself, a condition so much as the symptom of a condition - that of international anarchy.
In short, it may be said that on paper the obligations to settle international disputes peacefully are now so comprehensive and far-reaching that it is almost impossible for a state to resort to war without violating one or more solemn treaty obligations.
To solve the problem of organizing world peace we must establish world law and order.
It is not a dream that someday, nations will be able to settle their difficulties without war, just as individuals now settle their personal feuds without resorting to arguments of physical strength or sharp steel. For, then, humanity will have created international jurisdiction and a power to enforce its laws.
Each one of these treaties is a step for the maintenance of peace, an additional guarantee against war. It is through such machinery that the disputes between nations will be settled and war prevented.
Insofar as international law is observed, it provides us with stability and order and with a means of predicting the behavior of those with whom we have reciprocal legal obligations.
If nations could only depend upon fair and impartial judgments in a world court of law, they would abandon the senseless, savage practice of war.
In case of war, a treaty would have to be made at the end of the war.
Law is the essential foundation of stability and order both within societies and in international relations.
No international court can ever substitute for a working national justice system. Or for a society at peace.