the course of their practice at
securing an identical application of the rules of the law of nations.
And the joint labours of judges of diverse nationalities in these
international courts will influence their mutual understanding in a
manner which will be serviceable to the juristic methods of the
different peoples.

CONCLUSION

[Sidenote: The aims defended are not Utopian.]

76. We have reached the end. I have conducted the reader over wide
areas, and have put before him aims which cannot be immediately
attained. But these aims are not on that account nebulous and Utopian.
We are already on the way which leads to them, even though a long time
will still be required before we draw quite near. This hope may be with
certainty indulged in, because the forces at work for the organic
development of the community of states are ever gathering strength. The
governments of states may continue an obstinate opposition to these
forces, but in the end they must give way. Economic interests primarily,
but many others also, prevent individual states from allowing the
international community of states to remain unorganized any longer.
Slowly indeed, and only by degrees, and to a large extent unwillingly
and of compulsion, but nevertheless step by step, states will be
impelled onwards towards a goal still in part unknown. It is amusing to
observe the parts which individual states play in this process of
development. At one time it is one power, and at another time another
power, that is led by its interests to seize on the leading role, and
make progressive proposals. At one time a progressive proposal is
joyfully welcomed, at another it is declined, at another time it meets
with partial assent and partial dissent. In the matter before us the
United States of North America play a very prominent part; they have
the merit of having taken a most conspicuous share in the development
of the law of nations, especially of the law of neutrality. It was
America that moved for the erection of a permanent international court,
and in any event she will not give up the idea even if she cannot secure
its speedy realization.

[Sidenote: Obstacles to progress.]

77. Favourable as the auspices are for continuous progress, there are
not wanting, on the other hand, influences and circumstances opposed to
progress.

In the first place, there is national chauvinism, to which the existence
of a law of nations is hateful, and which represen