The scope of this study is not as broad as its title might indicate. The Attorney General of the United States performs several functions that affect in one way or another the relations of the United States with foreign nations. But this study focuses mainly on only one of these, namely, the duty of the Attorney General to provide legal opinions to various officers of the federal government. The reasons for undertaking a study of those opinions of the Attorney General especially relating to international law and practice are set forth in the Introduction, and will not be com mented upon here. In like manner, the problems of method, sources and coverage encountered in the course of inquiry are discussed at appropriate points in the text. Much of the material used herein is based on the research done in connection with my doctoral dissertation, accepted by Duke University in 1951. I am indebted to the Duke University Council on Graduate Instruction and to the Tulane University Council on Research for substantial material aid which made possible both further research in connection with this study and its appearance in monograph form .

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