What is International Law?

   International Law is the body of law, resting upon custom, which regulates nations in their relations with each other. These relations involve three situations: the relation between peaceful states; the relation of hostile states to each other; and the relation of belligerents to peaceful states. Since communication has become so easy a matter, and a trip across the ocean an everyday affair, the necessity for mutual understandings and agreements between nations has increased. This need has been met by a gradual increase in the body of inte-national law, established by treaties, arbitration conferences, and numerous international conventions. Only independent states, whose national law is practically like that of civilized nations may become parties to international law.