Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-06-22

a great, Self-reSpCctinS nation can
do"
The crux OF the conditions suggest
ed the President described as the
making of the world court precisely
what its name implies.
Can it be possible that, despite
their protestations to the contrary,
this is not what some of our sister
states at heart desire?" he asked,
Must there he a test Of sincerity
abroad as we'll as at home? Then
the more quickly it can be made the
better, the better for them and the
better for us. There is nothing to
be accomplished in ambiguity. We
want to know. And the only way to
find out is to inquire"
The President devoted virtually all
of his address to the World Court is
sue, but he also reviewed briefly what
had been done by his administration
To get the country back on the right
track in its domestic affairs. AL
though declaring he did not come to
make partisan report" he said he
took pride in pointing out that I'M
employment had been "banished," fl
nancial stability restored, taxes light
ened, and great economies effected in
government
Washington's Farewell Address
, was taken by the Chief Executive as
ms point of departure when he turn
ed to foreign relations. American
adhesion to the court, he said,
squared with the principles enunci-
ated by Washington, who recognized
the value of international arbitra-
ton.
1T is with that high purpose in
mind that l advocate participation
by the United States in the Perma-
nent Court of International Justice"
continued Mr.. Harding. Two con-
dltions may be considered ind;spens-
able:
First, that the tribunal be so
constituted as to appear and TO he
IN theory and practice, in form and
IN substance, beyond the shadow Of
doubt, world court and not a
league court.
| Second. that the United States
snail occupy plane OF perfect
equality with every other power"
Elaborating upon his pronounce
ment that the court must not be a
league court, the Executive asserted
that the country had an opportunity
TO indicate its desire to join the
league in 1870 and it most emphat-
really refused and lit would refuse
again, no less decisively today"
There has been no change of
condition." he added with respect to
the league issue. 1T is the same
league. Not line in the rejected
covenant has been altered. not a
phrase modified. not a word omit
ted or added . Article X still stands
as the heart of the compact. Article
Nj and all other Stipulations bject :
ed to and condemned by the Ameri-
can people remain untouched, in
full force in theory. however cir
cumspectly they are being ignored
in practice.
in the face OF the Overwhelming
verdict of 1920, therefore, the issue
OF the League of Nations is as dead
as slavery. Is it not the part of
wisdom and common sense to let it
rest in the deep grave to which it
has been consigned. and turn our
thoughts to living thingS?"
Mr.. Harding said he recognized
rudiments of good in the league or
Ganization, however. and repeated
his declaration of 1920 that he hoped
to take and combine all that is
good and excise all that is bad
froa the league and the Hague Tri-
bunal
The abstract principle OF world
court found its genesis in The Hague
| Tribunal" he continued, The con-
crete application of that principle
has been made by the league. Sound
theory and admirable practice have
been Joined successfully. The court
itself is not only firmly esta blished
but has clearly demonstrated its
utility and efficiency.
1T is a true judicial tribunal. Its
composition is OF the highest order.
None better. none freer, from sell
fish. partisan. national, or racial
pre- JUDGES or influences could be OBJ
tanned That to the best OF my in
formation and belief. is a fact uni
versally admitted and acclaimed. I
care not whence the court came. l
insist only that its integrity, its in
dependence. its complete and con-
tinuing freedom be safeguarded alb
soutelN.
The sole question is whether the
requirements which | have enumerat-
ed as essential to adherence by the
United States can be met. My an
swcr is that where there is a urani-
NOUS will, a way can always be found.
am not welded irrevocably to any
particular method. l would not as
sumo for a moment that the read
justment of the existing arrangement
which appears to my mind as feast
, bic is the best. much less the only.
one. But; such as it is, ! submit 1t.
without excess Of detail as a basis
for consideration, discussion, and
Judgment"
The President then presented his
proposal for a self perpetuating court
and added:
The fixing of compensation Of the
Judges. the supervision OF eXpendi-
lures, the apportionment of contribu-
ton. etc, could also he transferred
hfrom the league to either the court
| of arbitration or q commission deSig =
mated by the member nationsi Thus.
incidentally, would he averted the ad-
mitted unfairness of the present sys-
tom, which imposes tax upon mem
bers of the league who are not sub
scribcrs to the court.
"Thc exclusive privilege now held
by the league to seek advisory legal
guidance from the court might either
be abolished, or. more wisely perhaps.
he extended to any member or group
OF member nations. Thus all would
be served alike. subject ms now to
determination ny the court itself of
the kind Of questions upon which
it would render judgments.
"rhe disparity in voting as between
a unit nation and am aggregated en-
pire. which now maintains in the as
scmbly of the league, to which many
object, because of apprehensions
which 7 do not share, would. under
this plan. disappear automatically"
In presenting these suggestions
the President declared neither ad-
vanced nor retreated from the posi-
ton assumed in presenting the court