266 ROWE— THE DEFENDER OF NEUTRAL RIGHTS. 



Chile, in October, 1914. The machinery was, therefore, ready for 

 the holding of a Congress of neutrals which might have performed 

 a great service in the more definite formulation of neutral rights and 

 neutral obligations. The healthful restraint imposed on belligerents 

 by reason of the presence of vigorous and united neutral interests 

 has been lacking, and the result has been a marked and disquieting 

 decline in the standards of international dealings. 



Although the most effective moment for an united stand of the 

 neutral nations of America would have been immediately after the 

 outbreak of the European war, it is not too late to repair at least 

 some of the damage that has been done. The machinery for such 

 a conference is at hand in the International Commission of Jurists 

 provided for by the Pan-American Conference of 1910. This body 

 should be called immediately and remain in permanent session as a 

 Congress of neutrals until the close of the war. Its deliberations 

 and conclusions should have to do with the rights which the neutral 

 nations of America are prepared to maintain, and the obligations 

 which they are prepared to fulfill. The mere fact that such a Con- 

 gress is in permanent session cannot help but impress itself upon 

 the imagination of the entire civilized world, and have a far-reach- 

 ing effect on the policy of the belligerent nations. Not only would 

 such a Congress serve to preserve the spirit of legality, but it would 

 give to the world an example of international solidarity which would 

 mark an epoch in the history of international relations. To allow 

 such an opportunity to slip by is to prove ourselves unworthy of the 

 great mission entrusted to the free nations of America and to pro- 

 claim ourselves unable to defend the highest interests of civilization.' 



