ACTS OF THE LEGISLATIVE ORGAN 35

wherein the evident lack of civilization and the imminent danger to the
person and property of aliens, render it imperative to take special steps for
the protection of the State’s nationals. These are really emergency cases in
international life. And even they, at a more advanced stage of civilization,
should be subject to some collective control. Beyond that, the action of the
States should be confined to demand the intervention of international justice
to fix responsibility and to afford reparation. Reprisals should, therefore,
be altogether abolished. The substantive rules of law involving contractual
responsibility should be set forth bearing in mind the principles of justice
and equity, in order to properly reconcile the requirements of the best public
interests of the nation with the rights and interests of the persons who have
contracted with it. Such broad and general formulas as may be adopted will
be rendered practical and more specific in the course of time by the decisions
of international courts.