The Reminiscences of Zafrulla Khan — Page 204
188 REMINISCENCES OF SIR MUHAMMAD ZAFRULLA KHAN and juristical aspects of the questions involved, and also in the human aspects. My relations with the staff of the Court were extremely friendly - I think more intimate perhaps than those of the other judges; but the judges and the staff of the Court worked together very harmoniously. The seat of the Court is at The Hague, in the Netherlands. My residence at The Hague enabled me to appreciate the many good qualities of the people of the Netherlands. They have carried out an extensive program of reconstruction after the very heavy losses they suffered during the War, first at the hands of the invading German forces - Rotterdam was almost reduced to rubble - then at the hands of the Allies who were coming in and the retreating Germans who opened some of the dikes causing heavy damage and ruining their very valuable orchard lands and crop areas. Not only did the Dutch accomplish all that reconstruction and rehabilitation but then they had to readjust their economy as a result of the independence of Indonesia. Now, for some years, they have been helping other countries to develop their economies. I found life in The Hague agreeable in every way. The Hague has now grown into a large town. At one time it was known as the biggest village in Europe and it has retained many of the characteristics of a village. There are no skyscrapers at all; in fact, not very many high buildings, and that is due to the fact that the soil is not firm enough for very high buildings to be erected; the subsoil water is so near the surface. The Hague and surrounding areas are in fact below sea level. But it is a very pretty place in its own way, with its canals, its parks and all the greenery about. The climate during the greater part of the year is not very agreeable; there is a strong wind most of the time, but it is healthy. The health statistics of the Netherlands are the best in Europe. The atmosphere is very intimate and friendly; practically every educated Dutchman and woman speaks English, so that one did not feel excluded. Question : What were some of the cases that you were involved in that interested you most during those years, Sir ? Khan : The very first case I participated in was the Nottebahm Case. It raised an important point of International Law. Mr. Nottebahm, who had German nationality had been established in Guatemala for a number