354 IN THE DIPLOMATIC SERVICE-XXIV 



mankind will, I fully believe, decide that the conference 

 has done a work of value to the world. 



There is also another gain incidental, but of real and 

 permanent value; and this is the inevitable development 

 of the Law of Nations by the decisions of such a court 

 of arbitration composed of the most eminent jurists from 

 all countries. Thus far it has been evolved from the 

 writings of scholars often conflicting, from the decisions 

 of national courts biased by local patriotism, from the 

 practices of various powers, on land and sea, more in 

 obedience to their interests than to their sense of justice ; 

 but now we may hope for the growth of a great body of 

 international law under the best conditions possible, and 

 ever more and more in obedience to the great impulse 

 given by Grotius in the direction of right reason and 

 mercy. 



