GREAT DUTCH JURIST

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23275, 18 February 1939, Page 13

GREAT DUTCH JURIST

MEMORIAL IN LONDON WORK FOR HUMANITY British Wireless LONDON, Feb. 16 A tablet to the memory of Dr. Hugo Grotius, the great Dutch jurist (15831645), was unveiled by the Earl of Athlon© in the Dutch Church at Austin Friurs. Speeches on the work of Grotius and its meaning tc> the modern world were delivered by Dr. J. Patijn, Netherlands Foreign Minister, and Viscount Halifax. Dr. Patijn said the abandonment of the principle that the printed words of Governments were sacred would

mean the end of civilisation, and he deplored the revival in our day of heavy military strength as the only factor that counted in international affairs. Lord Halifax, after paying a tribute to Grotius, added: "I should be happy to think tho celebration to-day in honour of one of the world's noblest, citizens should have tho effect of turning men's minds to the work he accomplished for humanity and moving them by the force of a great example to do likewise."

Grotius, who was born at Delft in 1583, was a great advocate, writer and statesman. He was a child prodigy, being able to write Latin verses at nine, was ripe for tho university at 12, and at 15 edited the encyclopaedic work of Martianus Capella. He became a doctor of law and practised as an advocate, but his inclination and nui<j}i of his activity was devoted to literature. While in exile in France as the result of the civil war in Holland Grotius wrote the famous legal treatise Do Jure Belli et Pacis, printed in 1625, which is said to entitle him to the honour of being held the founder of the modern science of the law of nature and nations.