Should the American Republics affirm, as a basis of international organization in their relations with the States of other Continents, that the integrity and the sovereignty of the countries which constitute the American Continent or American World should be maintained; and, if so, should they declare themselves jointly and separately responsible for the maintenance of these principles? C. PROJECT FOR THE REGULATION OF NEUTRALITY IN NAVAL WAR: On this matter the Institute earnestly recommends to the affiliated Societies the special consideration of the following questions: 1. Should the rights of neutrals always take precedence of those of belligerents that is to say, should belligerents, in the conduct of warlike operations, always respect the rights of neutrals — and, if so, what are the most appropriate methods of enforcing these rights? 2. In connection with the same subject: (a) Would it be advisable to establish a league of neutrals? (b) Should the commercial blockade of belligerent ports be prohibited? (c) Should the inviolability of private property at sea be declared? (d) Should the right of visit be abolished? (e) Should censorship of the mails be prohibited? (f) What measures can be taken to insure the free commerce of neutrals between themselves or with belligerents? (g) Would it be advisable, in case of war, to exclude all belligerent war vessels from the territorial waters of the neutral countries? D. BASES RELATING TO THE ORGANIZATION OF A COURT OF ARBITRAL JUSTICE: On this matter the Institute calls the attention of the National Societies to the following questions: 1. Should an International Court of Justice be created, whose duty it would be to settle the differences of a legal nature which may arise between nations; and, if so, would it be advisable that such a court were a continental or a world court? 2. Would it be advisable to establish the said court, whether a world or a continental court, taking as a basis the organization of the Supreme Court of the United States and the projects submitted to the Second International Peace Conference of the Hague? E. UNION OR LEAGUE OF NATIONS FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF PEACE: On this matter of capital importance at the present moment the Institute consults the National Societies upon the following questions: 1. Would it be advisable to create a "Union or League of States" intended to prevent conflicts of a political character or obtain their pacific settlement, or to promote closer relations among the States which shall constitute it? 2. Would it be advisable that such organization, league, or union should be international or continental? 3. Would it be advisable, in case of the creation of such a union or league, that it should be limited to attaining an agreement between the parties, or should its powers extend to dictate a settlement? 4. In case of dictating a settlement, should the league seek to enforce it only by its moral authority; or should it impose it by force, and what should be the procedure in such a case? 5. Possibility and convenience of universal disarmament, or at least of the limitation of naval and land armaments. F. RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF NATIONS WHICH ARE DERIVED FROM THE FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS: The Institute at its first meeting adopted a "Declaration of the Rights and Duties of Nations," and considers that the moment has arrived for determining what are the consequences and corollaries of the said fundamental rights. In regard to this very important matter, the Institute calls the attention of the affiliated Societies to the question whether it would be advisable to state and, in such case, to explain what would be the limits of the following rights: 1. Right of necessity. 2. Right of peoples to their free development. 3. Right of intervention. 4. Diplomatic claims, and specially claims referring to the protection of citizens abroad. 5. What should be the duties of States? 6. How shall be affirmed and consecrated henceforward the notion of the solidarity among the States and that of the general interests which bind them together? Resolutions The Institute unanimously adopted the following resolutions: I On motion of Messrs. Anderson and Matos: A vote of sympathy to the Central American Court of Justice, the first Permanent Court of Arbitral Justice in the world, created by the convention concluded on December 20, 1907, among the Republics of Costa Rica, Guatemala, Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua, recommending its maintenance and prestige, which are guarantees of peace among the Central American Republics. A vote of appreciation was also accorded to Dr. Luís Anderson and Dr. Antonio Batres Jáuregui, two distinguished charter members of the Institute, who subscribed as Plenipotentiaries of their respective countries, the convention creating the said court. II That the present war, which already involves a great portion of the European continent and in which all peoples, including the neutral nations, are so deeply concerned, may end in the near future, and that the peace soon to be concluded may be permanent, based upon the principles of equity and law, upon which rest the safety of States and the welfare of their peoples. III In closing its sessions the Institute expresses its profound gratitude to the President of the Republic, the government, the people of Cuba, and the Cuban press, for the exquisite hospitality with which they welcomed the members thereof, as well as to all those who have shown it courtesies, and to the delegates of the National Societies who attended the meeting. The Institute also expresses its gratitude to the Senate, House of Representatives, Mayor, and Board of Aldermen of Havana for the courteous welcome which they were kind enough to extend to its members. Finally, the Institute expresses its appreciation of and extends its congratulations to the Cuban National Society, as well as to the students of the University, who so largely contributed to the success of the meeting. IV The Institute sends cordial greetings to its absent members and a vote of thanks to the many distinguished persons who have aided the Secretary General in the performance of his functions during this meeting. Special Resolution Finally, the Institute unanimously adopted the following special resolution: Whereas it is advisable that the annual meetings of the Institute shall be held in different cities of America, according to the order in which these cities may extend their invitations, as in this way, by direct contact with the reality of things and with the Societies of those countries, the ideas and interests of the American Continent can best be interpreted and defined. Accepting with great pleasure the cordial invitation of the Government of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay, the Institute resolves to hold its next meeting in the city of Montevideo during the year 1918, at such time as shall be agreed upon with the Government and the Uruguayan Society of International Law. CONVENTION BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND DENMARK PROVIDING FOR THE CESSION OF WEST INDIES 1 Signed at New York, August 4, 1916; ratifications exchanged (Together with an accompanying exchange of notes.) THE United States of America and His Majesty the King of Denmark being desirous of confirming the good understanding which exists between them, have to that end appointed as Plenipotentiaries: The President of the United States: Mr. Robert Lansing, Secretary of State of the United States, Mr. Constantin Brun, His Majesty's Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary at Washington, Who, having mutually exhibited their full powers which were found to be in due form, have agreed upon the following articles: ARTICLE 1. His Majesty the King of Denmark by this convention cedes to the United States all territory, dominion and sovereignty, possessed, 1 U. S. Treaty Series, No. 629. asserted or claimed by Denmark in the West Indies including the Islands of Saint Thomas, Saint John and Saint Croix together with the adjacent islands and rocks. This cession includes the right of property in all public, government, or crown lands, public buildings, wharves, ports, harbors, fortifications, barracks, public funds, rights, franchises, and privileges, and all other public property of every kind or description now belonging to Denmark together with all appurtenances thereto. In this cession shall also be included any government archives, records, papers or documents which relate to the cession or the rights and property of the inhabitants of the islands ceded, and which may now be existing either in the islands ceded or in Denmark. Such archives and records shall be carefully preserved, and authenticated copies thereof, as may be required shall be at all times given to the United States Government or the Danish Government, as the case may be, or to such properly authorized persons as may apply for them. ARTICLE 2. Denmark guarantees that the cession made by the preceding article is free and unencumbered by any reservations, privileges, franchises, grants, or possessions, held by any governments, corporations, syndicates, or individuals, except as herein mentioned. But it is understood that this cession does not in any respect impair private rights which by law belong to the peaceful possession of property of all kinds by private individuals of whatsoever nationality, by municipalities, public or private establishments, ecclesiastical or civic bodies, or any other associations having legal capacity to acquire and possess property in the islands ceded. The congregations belonging to the Danish National Church shall retain the undisturbed use of the churches which are now used by them, together with the parsonages appertaining therunto and other appurtenances, including the funds allotted to the churches. ARTICLE 3 It is especially agreed, however, that: (1) The arms and military stores existing in the islands at the time of the cession and belonging to the Danish Government shall remain the property of that government and shall, as soon as circumstances will permit, be removed by it, unless they, or parts thereof, may have |