The Present State of International Law and Other Essays

Book excerpt: In October I873, as every Conference Report recalls, the Associ ation for the Reform and Codification of the Law of Nations was founded in Brussels (Belgium). At the Brussels Conference of I895 the Association's name was changed and ever since it has been "The International Law Association". On August 30 and 3I and September I, I973, a Centenary Cele bration will be held in the Association's place of birth. In the course of preparations made for this triduum, plans were also laid by the Executive Council for a Centenary Volume to mark the event. The formula adopted for the book was mostly based on contributions by Chairmen and/or Rapporteurs of International Committees of the Association who were asked to shed light on "the present state" of their subject. Hence the title of the Volume. For good measure, vari ous other topics not coming under the terms of reference of Inter national Committees were added. Almost all of the authors invited responded favourably, and their studies are to be found in Part II, arranged in sections which have no other justification than the Editor's whim. It should be pointed out that Chairmen and/or Rapporteurs of International Committees wrote their articles a titre personnel and, therefore, cannot be deemed to express opinions held by their Com mittees as such. Part I contains the "other essays", dealing with the Association itself rather than with the present state of international law.