The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1923-04-27

Vi tniS simple, natural, norman pro-
ceeding has developed so much Of
mystery, SO much of misunderstood
ing, so much OF protest and approx
al, SO much of threatening rmuddying
of the political waters, that | well
come the opportunity. on so appro
pirate an occasion. to reveal to the
American people both the purpose
and tie motives impelling.
ours is popular government
through the, agency of political par
ties and il must be assumed that
the course of the successful party,
which is at the same time an hon
est party. must be fairly Charted
by the platform Of that party and by
the utterances of its candidates
when appealing Tor popular approx
al. On that assumption it is seemly
20 recall the declaration of the part
~ now in power relative to the pro-
motion of international relationships.
Platform Of 1904
In 1904 the national platform OF
the republican party said, we favor
the peaceful settlement Of interna
tional differences by arbitration"
Four years later. in the national con-
vention of 1908. the party in its
platform alluded TO progress made
in keeping faith with the previous
QeCldTdIlOn, anu SAID.
The conspicuous contributions of
American craftsmanship TO the cause
of international peace so strongly
advanced in The Hague conferences
are occasions for just pride and gra
LITIGATION. We endorse such achieve
ment as the highest dutJ Of a people
to perform, and proclaim the obliga
| ton of further strengthening the
bonds of friendship and good will
| with all the nations of the world
in 1912 the republican platform
| made very explicit declaration re-
lating to an international court OF
justice. l quote from the party COW
enant of faith:
Together with peaceful and or
| derby developments at home, the re-
publican party earnestly favors all
| measures for the establishment and
| protection of the peace of the world
and for the development Of closer
relations between the various ma
tons of the earth. 1t believes most
earnestly in peaceful settlement
of international disputes and in the
| reference Of all controversies be
| tween nations to an international
court of Justice
: Next Pledge in 1916
| 1.-The next formal and solemn
pledge was made in 1916. | quote
again: 1.-The republican party be-
lieves that a firm, consistent and
courageous foreign policy, always
maintained By republican presidents
| in accordance with American tradi-
tons is the best, as it is the only
true way to preserve peace and re-
store to us our rightful place among
nations. We believe in the peaceful
| settlement of international disputes
and favor the establishment of a
world court for that purpose.
Recalls Other Utterances
| "In 1920 the question Of our for
\ eign relationship was very acute
The senate had rejected the Yer
sailles treaty and the League of Ma
lions pact. The convention voiced
it's approval of the rejection, but was
unwilling to pledge aloofness from
the world. Therefore it said in its
platform pronouncement: we
pledge the coming republican ad-
ministration to such agreements
with other nations of the world as
shall meet the full duty of America
to civilization and hImanity in &C
lcordance with American Ideals
without surrendering the right OF
the American people to exercise its
| judgment and it's power in favor OF
justice and peace
"As a participant in the making OF
some of these platforms and as the
| banner bearer of one campaign.
have a right to believe they speak
the party conscience so plainly that
il is not easy to misconstrue.
But there are other utterances
which it is seemly to recall. | al
nde to the Interpretation of the
| IL h,r ha candidate N 1QOn
On August IS, 1920, speaking on the
League Of Nations proposal, said
frankly and very definitely / did not
favor the United States entering the
League of Nations. 1t was declared
then that the issue, as defined by
the candidates, involved the dispar-
ity between a world court of justice,
supplemented by a world associa :
ton for conference, on the one hand
and the council of the league on the
other $500.
No Entrance Into League
Elm compliance with its pledges
the new administration, which came
in power in March 1921, definitely
and decisively put aside all thought
of the United States entering the
League of. Nations 1t doesn't pro-
pose to enter now, by the side door
| Tic UdSh uOOl, vi IAiC SSAlhi uOoI.
have no unseemly comment to offer
on the league. If it is serving the
Old World helpfuny more power to it.
But it is not tor us. The senate has
80 declared, the executive has so
declared, the people have so declar-
ed. Nothing could be more decisive
ly stamped with finality. .....
| Meanwhile an international court
of Justice has been established. 1t
was an agency of peaceful settle
ment which had long been sought,
Its establishment previously had
failed because no agreement had
been possible over the method Of
electing judges. The existence OF the
League of Nations offered a solution.
Almost all the member nations had
signed a protocol establishing the
court. The members OF the council,
in which the larger powers have
permanent representation, afforded
une voting body with veto on the
members of the assembly consisting
of representatives OF all the nations,
and member nations of the assem- =
bly, could have a veto on the larger
powers represented in the council
Here was a device for electing
Judges which removed the hereto
| fore unsolvable problem Of a salts
factory means OF selecting them.
Not the council, but the nation
members thereof, must vote in ma :
Ijority for the same candidates for
/ .1L NJ hn h INy