Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1921-12-02

The League certainly has one
asset which any conceivable as
ISOLATION of nations would wish
to take over. This is the Inter
national Court, long urged by
American authorities and at last
founded, in and through the
League, chiefly by American in.
fluence. AS the United States
is the land of combinations, it
may be that the Administration
contemplates working out some
such union of interests. The
expectation of some is that
the President will make his APP
proaches in so gracious a manner
that the officers of the League
will be ready to eXclaim with
the poet: AT a touch, we com,
bine."
Whatever may be done in the
immediate feature. This is the
full recognition Of the fact that
American policies and interests
are wrapped up with those of
Europe and Asia. In the pre-
sent condition of the world no
nation especially no nation like
the United States liveth unto
itself. If it were to attempt to
do so, the sure result would be
that it would die unto itself. To.
this doctrine, President Hard
ing's Administration is now as
fully committed as was ever
President Wilson's. The hard
facts have proved stronger than
theories or prejudice. Action
after action taken by the Wash
ington Government now in power
shows that the old proud talk of
America for the Americans and
of splendid isolation is being
dropped. Only on Saturday it was
reported that President Hard
ing is to ask Congress to repeal
a law enacted in disregard of our
relations with other countries.
A clause in the Shipping bill
required the President to de-
nounce a whole series of CON-
mercial treaties with foreign ma
lions. Though President Wilson
signed it, he declined to carry out
the direction of Congress. This
is by law as binding upon Mr..
Harding as it was upon him.
But for eight months the Pres
ident has done nothing about it.
Now he is about to ask to be re-
lieved from the onerous instruc-
tons. This is the right way out,
legally; and internationally it
would be one more proof that
the United States cannot stand
apart from other nations.
Every movement toward world
cooperation by the present Ad-
minlstration will be followed
with great interest by those who
have long sought to achieve the
same ends by other means.
They will not stand aloof in
narrow criticism. They will
'ather welcome every advance,
however slow, toward the objects
which they have been cherishing.
they have stood for principles,
lot forms. They have cared
more for things than names.
And if the President and Secre-
AIRY Hughes strive earnestly to
arrive by some slightly different
.oute at the goal which was
placed before the nations by the
Covenant of the League, they
nay depend upon the encourage
nent and support of the men
With whom last year they ref
lsed to work.
There are obvious difficulties !
n the way. One of the greatest
f them will be the Senate. If
remains of the same mind as
asst year, it will resent the sug-
'estion that President Harding I
an accomplish what he desires c
,ithout calling upon the Sena- ,
ors to ratify any treaty what s
YER. They may rudely challenge J
re Presidents power to link us +
. with other nations solely by
n exchange of notes. The Sen D
tie has been jealous of such d
gentIemen's arguments" with t
apan as were made by both Mr.. y
oot and Mr.. LANSING when in >