BROWN— INTERNATIONAL ADMINISTRATION. 321 



mimity are very different from the ends sought by nations within 

 the community of nations. 



II. International law is quite distinct in character from munic- 

 ipal law. It is truly f/rfcmational, and not supranational. It does 

 not appeal for its recognition and enforcement to a sovereign au- 

 thority. It appeals to the sanction of enlightened self-interest, to 

 "anticipated advantages of reciprocity as well as fear of retalia- 

 tion." Its enforcement must necessarily lie with national agencies 

 though allowing for appeals in certain instances to some kind of 

 authoritative international tribunal. 



III. The great need is, not of a sovereign enforcement of the 

 law of nations, but of a much more comprehensive and definite 

 formulation of that law. A clear understanding of the mutual 

 interests of states which it is the object of international law to 

 protect is urgently required. 



IV. Diplomacy and international conferences can accomplish 

 in the main the great task of determining the rights and obligations 

 of states, and of providing the law which should apply in contro- 

 versies and litigations involving these rights and obligations. 



V. Nations cannot jeopardize the freedom ncessary for the 

 achievement of their separate purposes and ideals by submitting to 

 a common sovereign possessing coercive powers. An international 

 executive thus becomes undesirable and repugnant, a menace to the 

 legitimate aims and sensibilities of nations. 



VI. If an international executive is undesirable, there exist, 

 however, other agencies of great importance for purposes of inter- 

 national administration. The Universal Postal Union with its head- 

 quarters in Switzerland is an excellent example. By utilizing and 

 perfecting these agencies, by providing a central international " clear- 

 ing house " for the many non-political, non-lucrative interests of 

 nations — the Pan-American Union, for example — international 

 solidarity may be most effectively attained. In like manner the en- 

 couragement of international societies and congresses covering the 

 entire field of human interests wnll be of immeasurable aid to the 

 great cause of internationalism. 



In conclusion, therefore, we would do well to consider whether 

 in our anxiety to accomplish something definite for the cause of 



