ghteousness and a
modification of crude patriotism and national selfishness. It is now
time to codify and revise international law on a peace basis, and new
measures adopted in accordance to the progress nations have made in
recent {493} years toward permanent peace. Such a move would lead to a
better understanding and furnish a ready guide to the Court of
International Justice and all other means whereby nations seek to
establish justice among themselves.

_The Outlook for a World State_.--If it be understood that a world
state means the abandonment of all national governments and their
absorption in a world government, then it may be asserted truly that
such is an impossibility within the range of the vision of man. Nor
would it be desirable. If by world state is meant a political league
which unites all in a co-operative group for fair dealing in regard to
trade, commerce, territory, and the command of national resources, and
in addition a world court to decide disputes between nations, such a
state is possible and desirable.

Great society is a community of groups, each with its own life to live,
its own independence to maintain, and its own service to perform. To
absorb these groups would be to disorganize society and leave the
individual helpless before the mass. For it is only within group
activity that the individual can function. So with nations, whose life
and organization must be maintained or the individual would be left
helpless before the world. But nations need each other and should
co-operate for mutual advantage. They are drawn closer each year in
finance, in trade and commerce, in principles of government and in
life. A serious injury to one is an injury to all. The future
progress of the world will not be assured until they cease their
squabbles over territory, trade, and the natural resources of the
world--not until they abandon corroding selfishness, jealousy, and
suspicion, and covenant with each other openly to keep the peace.

To accomplish this, as Mr. Walter Hines Page said: "Was there ever a
greater need than there is now for first-class minds unselfishly
working on world problems? The ablest ruling minds are engaged on
domestic tasks. There is no world-girdling intelligence at work on
government. The present order must change. It holds the Old World
still. It keeps all {494} parts of the world apart, in spite of the
friendly cohesive forces of trade and travel. It keeps ba