112 FINAL ACT OF SECOND PAN AMERICAN SCIENTIFIC CONGRESS. 



The corresponding or affiliated associations have already been organized 

 in eighteen out of the twenty-one American Republics, and steps are being 

 taken to constitute the other three. 



International law is not the patrimony of a single nation. It is the law 

 of all nations, and must therefore be formed and assented to by all; and 

 thus the cooperation of nations is essential to its enactment or amendment. 

 Hence the enormous importance of an organization having a brain and 

 a voice in every one of the nations of America, whose action must be the 

 fruit of continental thought. 



Such an organization embodies, I believe, one of the most powerful 

 auxiliaries for progress and civilization in the Americas, and for the per- 

 manent maintenance of peace from one end to the other of their frontiers. 

 Such an organization deserves, without doubt, the good will of the peoples 

 and Governments of the continent, which we represent here. 



During the month commencing to-day the Second Pan American 

 Scientific Congress is to meet in Washington, and one of the most important 

 events that are to take place during its sessions is the official, solemn 

 inauguration, under the auspices of the Congress, of the American Institute 

 of International Law. I believe this is a fitting occasion on which to offer 

 a vote of commendation and encouragement for this work of common 

 interest to our countries a vote which I hope will be accepted by all 

 and therefore I have the honor to submit for the approval of the board the 

 following resolution : 



The Governing Board of the Pan American Union, considering that the 

 official inauguration of the American Institute of International Law, 

 founded in Washington October 12, 1912, is soon to take place under 

 the auspices of the Second Pan American Scientific Congress ; and 



Considering that said Institute, consisting of representatives of every one 

 of the American Republics, recommended by the International Law 

 Associations of their respective countries, will result in strengthening, 

 through the active cooperation of jurists and thinkers of the whole 

 continent, the bonds of friendship and union now existing between 

 these republics, and will contribute to the development of a common 

 sentiment of international justice among them, the Governing Board of 

 the Pan American Union 



Resolves, To tender to the founders and members of the American Insti- 

 tute of International Law a vote of commendation and encouragement 

 for the foundation of said organization, which represents a step of the highest 

 importance in the moral advancement of the continent and in the strength- 

 ening of the sentiments of friendship and harmony among the Republics. 



Since the date of His Excellency's address and motion, which was 

 warmly seconded by the Honorable ROBERT LANSING, Secretary of 

 State of the United States, and unanimously carried, societies of inter- 

 national law have been formed in the three American Republics where 

 they were then lacking, so that on the opening of the Congress a 

 national society of international law existed in the capital of every 

 American State. The Institute is composed of five members from 



