The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1920-09-19
Editorial
Of the Day
THE INTERNATIONAL COURT
(From the star-Telegram)

In letter 70 the member nations
of the league of nations, accompany
ing the text Of the project for per-
manent court of international justice
the council Of the league says:
1.-The council would regard irrecon-
cilable differences of opinion on mer-
its of the scheme as an international
misfortune of the gravest kind IL
would mean that the league was COM
PEELED to admit its incapactty TO carry
out one Of the most important tasks
which it was invited to perform IL
agreement proves impossible under
circumstances apparently so favorable,
it is hard to see how and when the
task Of securing ii will be success
fully resumed"
How the nations already members
of the league will receive this project
remains TO be seen. The, council will
submit recommendations to the as
sembly Of the league with respect to
this matter at some time in the
future. The adoption of the project
will probably take the form of an
amendment to the league covenant,
which will require the vote of all the
members of the council together with
a sufficient number OF the other men,
bers Of the league to make up two
thirds OF the assembly. If the United
States We're q member of the league
the sanction Of this country would be
necessary to put 1t into effect. If it
is adopted before the United States
becomes a member, entrance into the
league by ratification of the treaty,
would involve acceptance of this pro-
ject as an amendment to the cove
nant. 1t is this last fact which makes
the proposal Of the utmost public in.
terest in the United States.
All friends Of the league Of nations
in this country will agree heartily
with the sentiment expressed by the
council in its letter to the nations.
misfortune of the gravest kind" If ir-
reconcilable differences over this pro-
ject should arise. II is a misfortune
that the exigencies OF American poll
tics have prevented the United States
from being at this time a full mem
Der Of the league to give the great
weight of its Endorsement to the plan
as voting member Of the council
and the assembly. But, inasmuch as
we are in the midst of a political
campaign in which the league itself
is the paramount issue. it is very
fortunate that the project was drawn
up under such circumstances as to
minimize the possibility Of its being
made the football of politics in this
country. Had the American members
of the committee OF jursts which
drew up the plan for this court been
appointed by President Wilson. we
could expect violent criticism Of II
from Republican quarters. and ~
Misrepresentation by politicians. that
might easily have proved fatal to the
plan. But fortunately the committee
was chosen by the league council IT,
self and somebody connected with
that body had political foresight
enough to choose Republicans from
the United States. one Of whom was
one Of the most distinguished members
Of the Republican party. Mr.. Elihu
Root. This has forestalled criticism
from the Republicans to such an ox-
ent that II has led even to misrepre-
sentation of another sort-the attemp.
10 draw a contrast between the pro-
posed court and the covenant Of the
league of nations, as though they =.
we're separate entities The court, Of
course, would be an organ OF the
league Of nations. and would he or
yanized. conducted and financially sup
ported by that body.
One cannot attack the existing
league. therefore. without nj the same
lime attacking the proposal TO estah-
ish, this court. for the court canr 4
nxist without the league. But II Is
fortunate that Republican criticism
NJ this project has been forestalled.
for taking criticism Of this project
has been forestalled. for taking criti-
,isms Of the league covenant as
II would be easy to misrep-
resent this proposal In political de-
)ate. If Mr.. Root or some other out
standing Republican had not had
hand in drawing II up. we might
expect to hear Republican orators
point out that the members OF the
'ourt were 10 be chosen by the league
without respect to their nationality.
hat n majority Of the judges present
It sitting could decide n question
before 1t. and that under certain
five Of these judges
night decide matter In which the
United States was vitaily Interested.
II President Wilson were the a"thor
II this we could expect TO hear tnat "
vas an attempt TO surrender tho
'overclgnty Of the United States. But
nasmuch as Mr.. Root. more than
my other individual member of the
is the author of II, Re
publican orators will hold It up as,
he acme Of perfection.
The, project IL no more perfect
han any other human thing, the
covenant ~ the league of nations It.
iclf included. But Il IL the result
4 iolnt conference between some ~
he most able men In the world. and II
eprescnts such long itep forward In
he methods Of deciding certain types
Il international disputes that all
he friends Of international peace
hould be willing To put II into oper-
ton and give II fair test. II the
Iatlons cannot agree to the establish
nent Of such court now. after the
rssons OF the worst war In history.
here IL little hope that they will ever
gree. There should b. no political
riticism of the project. therefore,
re- m Democratic quarters. The pro-
osed court is an a,tomp, To put the
rovislons Of the league covenant into
fleet. We should accept II as part
4 the league machinery and, without
vpec,ing miracles. we should CO.
pcrate To- put Il into operation.