South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-01-29
AMERICAN JUDGE IN LNTERNA TIONAL
COURT OUTLINES HOW WILL 1T RUN

highest human ideal. that OF peace
through justice. and particularly JUS
tice based on law.
The court. although constituted
under a statute prepared by the
council and passed by the assembly
Of the League OF Nations. represents
the fruition Of efforts with which the
International activities OF the UniteG
States have been closely and dis
tnctiveIy identified.
The court consists Of II judges,
called ordinary judges. and foE
deputy judges. The statute provides
that these numbers may hereafter
be increased by the assembly. on
the proposal Of the council 10 a total
OF Is judges and six deputy-judges.
Judges Hear Cases.
Deputy-JLdges are intended 10 take
the place OF judges who may be abb
sent or unable 10 act Eleven judges
constitute the actual trial court. but
nine may constitute a quorum.
The court sits IN all disputes be-
tween members OF the league as
well as in disputes between other
states. Among these other states is
The United States.
Il IS provided that the protocol
by which the statute is accepted,
may be signed by all states mention
cd in the annex 10 the covenant.
It thus appears that all those
states, among which is the United
States. may accept and support, as
well as use, the court even though
they may not have accepted the
political responsibilities Of the
league.
The question has been asked how
a citizen of a country which Is
neither a member Of the league nor
yet a party to. the statute can be
elected or can sit as a judge in the
court.
The answer IS: The judges are
not elected nor do the ysit as citizens
OF. representatives Of any particular
country. AS far as human nature
will permit, they are expected TO
decide impartially between all couD-
tries, without favor or antipathy TO
any.
The seat OF the court Is not, as
often supposed. at Geneva. but at
The Hague. Members are elected
for nine years and may be reelected.
The court must hold in each year
at least one session, which, unless
the court itself otherwise provides.
must begin on June 1 . and continue
until the cases on the list are dis
posed Of.
\ r.r a al 4
/ by the members for a term of three
years is required to reside cOntin-
uously at The Hague and may sum-
mon an extraordinary session when
ever necessary.
seek Full Impartality.
Each member Of the court is re-
CURED before taking up his duties
; to make a solemn declaration in
oDen court that ne Will exercise his
powers impartially and conscien-
tiously. The members, when engaged
i'm the business of the court, enjoy
/ diplomatic privileges and immunitieS
The official languages of the court
are French and English. Hearings
are to be public, unless the court
/ shall otherwise decide.
/ a
a majority Of the judges present at
the hearing, and in the event of an
even division, the president or his
: deputy has casting vote.
The fun court is required 10 sit
T except where il IS expressly provided
. otherwise. In cases under the labor
, clauses of the treaty OF Versailles
and of the other peace treaties the
court is required TO appoint every
, three years a special chamber Of
1 five judges.
/ In cases relating 10 transit and
. communications provision is made
for the appointment Of a similar spe-
oial chamber The court is TO form
annually a chamber of three judges
who may at the request OF the dis
putants. hear and determine cases
/ by summary procedure.
To Attend First Session.
As one OF the II judges I have
I been invited to appear at the Peace
] Palace. The Hague. at II a. m, Jan.
! so. TO take part in the organi-
zatiou Of the court.
The court, if it is to fulfill its high
/ mission. must have the support OF
the governments Of the world and OF
. public opinioU
1 shall not be discouraged II at
the outset the. court IS not Overbur-
/ dened with business.
The supreme court OF the United
/ States at its first regular session
| had. believe, no cases on its docket.
/ Nor later when business slowly in
creased were its decisions always
! efeCtual.
choice selection cut flowers and