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


Documents Speak For Self
I'VE had no thought of joining the
league, we sought none OF it's offer
ings and will accept none of it's obi =
cations. The president could pro-
pose no solution to the signatory
powers. because the world has wit
messed in disappointment the spec
tacle of the execution proposing and
the senate disposing. 1t was not de-
sirable to make some proposals
abroad that could not be carried out !;
indeed none would be considered and
it was not pleasing to think of ask =
ing the senate's consent to a pro-
gram to which the nation concerned
would not agree. So. very informal :
ly and very discreetly, the situation
was felt out, over a considerable
period of time and when satisfied
that there was an appropriate course
of action without connection with
the league. provided the senate con
scented, | proposed adherence to the
court protocol and asked the senate's
consent.
The documents speak for them
selves. II was pointed out that nc
rights under the league and no obi
CATION Of the league would be incur
red. but to make certain that we
would not be involved the letter OF
the secretary of state suggested suit
able reservations to afford ample
guaranty.
In Complete Harmony
This is the complete recital. 1t is
in harmony with platform pledges
candidatorial promises, and, | be-
lieve with American aspirations. The
tsenate's decision was hardly to be
expected amid the enormous pressure
Of business incident to the CLOSING
weeks of the short session. But
felt that the senate. the country, and
the friendly nations whose counsel
we have sought were entitled to
know that our gestures abroad were
sincere. and our own people should
knew there are no secrets about oul
purposes at home, once they are ma
tured.
Excessive friends OF the league
have beclouded the situation by their
unwarranted assumption that it is a
move towards league membership
Let them disabuse their minds. be-
cause there is no such thought among
us who make our commitments
abroad. And the situation is like
wise beclouded by those who shud
der excessively when the league is
mentioned, and who assume entan
clement is unavoidable. Any entan
element would first require assent OF
| the senate which is scarcely to be an
pretended and if by any chance the
senate approved Of any entanslement
the present administration would not
complete the ratification.
| One Political Buqbear
Frankly, there is one political
bugbear. When we discussed the
League of Nations and it's rule Of
| force, with its Superpowers through
political council and assembly, | my
self cOntended as a senator for eQua
voting power on the part OF the
| United States with any nation in the
world. With her dominions mem
bers of the league assembly the Brit,
! ish empire will have six votes in that
branch OF the electorate, but it has
only one in the electorate OF the
| council. In view of the fact that nc
nation can have more than one Judge
it is a less formidable objection than
when applied to the league as a su,
per power, dealing with problems
likely to abridge members nauona
rights. appraise the objection as
| one WIN fSlSu d6dluoI lhto oAoPNAAS
of power in the league assembly, but
| in an appraisal now / do not hesitate
to say that if other great powers car
accept without fear the voting
strength OF the British dominions
when they are without ties OF race tC
minimize international rivalrles and
suspicious, we ought in view or the
natural ties of English speaking kin
SHIN feel ourselves free from danger
Step In Right Direction
The perfected court must be mat
| ter of development. | earnestly com
mend it because it is great step ID
the right direction toward the peace
full settlement of justifiable questions
toward the elimination OF frlctions
which lead to war, and a surer agen
CIV in international justice through
the application of law than can De
hoped Tor in arbitration which IS IN
fiuenced by the prejudlces or men
and the eXpediency OF politics
Our problems at home lnvarlapl!
call for first consideration. Our OWL
house must be kept in order, our own
good fortune must be assured peloIe
/ we can be large contrlputorS 10
world progress or measuraply heiplul
| to humanity.
az made allusion in the beginning
to political charts and the good
faith of political parties. Sometimes
there must be a variation from the
charted course, because OF the un =
expected development of impasslDle
shoals. This administration, pledg
ed by a sponsoring party Tor quar-
ter of a century to the building up
of a merchant marine, was unaole
to secure the enactment which was
believed to be the way to fulhll =
ment But it would be a small ad :
ministration which would surrender
the aspiration for an American
merchant marine and scrap or sac
rifice our great merchant fleet in a
piuue of disappointment over the
senate's failure to give approval.
For security Of defense, for the
avoidance Of a like eXtravagant and
Intellectual outlay in case or future
war for the promotion Of our com :
merce and our eminence on the
seas, | believe great merchant
marine to be an outstanding Amer
lean requirement. Since we cannot
hope for government aid to private
ownership, we propose to DO our
best to organize and consolidate our
lines and service, applying the les
| sons of experience which cost us
hundreds Of millions in operation
alone, then offer for sale. II we
cannot sell, we will operate, and
operate aggressively, until congress
inhibits.
Great Change Taking Place.