We admit, however, that sea law is an exceedingly delicate
affair as the policy 'of the United States towards it is in suspense. At least America has not yet adjusted herself to either the League or its consequences. It is argued that Great Britain is rash to submit herself auto- matically to a judgment of the World Court in a matter of sea law which may bring her into conflict with the United States. The danger seems to us remote ; but anyone who thinks it serious has all the better reason for de- manding an agreement with the United States about what is loosely called the Freedom of the Seas. The debate on Monday was the occasion of a very interesting maiden speech by Mr. Norman Angell, who was really surveying such a condition of the financial and commercial world as he foretold many years ago in his famous book would be the result of a great war. He was too modest to say this, but for those who remembered his writings there was exceptional point in his earnest plea for a completely new kind of international relation. When he began to speak many members were leaving the House for other business, and. he thus had the misfortune to address z disturbed audience.; but those who heard the latter part of his speech, when he had found the right pitch for his voice, experienced the joy of listening to some unusually careful reasoning.
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