Recognized rights (i.e., treaty rights) are
never absolute rights; they are of human origin, and, therefore,
imperfect and variable. There are conditions in which they do not
correspond to the actual truth of things. In this case infringement
of the right appears morally justified. (P. 49.)
* In fact, the State is a law unto itself. Weak nations have not
the same right to live as powerful and vigorous nations. (P. 34.)
* Any action in favor of collective humanity outside the limits
of the State and nationality is impossible. (P. 25.)
* * * * *
A Doctrine 2,200 Years Old.
These are startling propositions, though propounded as practically
axiomatic. They are not new, for twenty-two centuries ago the sophist
Thrasymachus in Plato's "Republic" argued--Socrates refuting him--that
justice is nothing more than the advantage of the stronger; might is
right.
[_Note.--Plato laid down that the end for which the State exists is
justice._]
The most startling among them are (1) denial that there are any duties
owed by the State to humanity, except that of imposing its own superior
civilization upon as large a part of humanity as possible, and (2)
denial of the duty of observing treaties which are only so much paper to
modern German writers.
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