The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-02-26
EDGING INTO THE LEAGUE

The president has definitely asked con-
gress to enact legislation authorizing this
government to become party to the protocol
establishing the international court of the
League of Nations. Most amusing is the
care of both the president and the secretary
of state to explain in detail how it is that
the suggested course will not in any way
make this government party to the league
or governed by any of its covenants. In
nutshell, and BADLY stated, our position is
that we desire to enjoy all the benefits of
the league without mourning any of its re-
sponsibiities or accepting its label. The at
titude is not one reflecting credit upon our
sincerity or the observation-disclosures for which
we like to claim credit. The redeeming
feature of the whole situation, and one that
probably has not escaped the attention of
our late allies, is that, without acknowledge
ing it, we are irresstibly being drawn into
the operations of the league, and that event
ually we shall openly seek admission.
That being the case, Democrats look with
equanimity upon the present proposal, know
ing that ii means the eventual triumph of
the Democratic ideal so signally rejected by
the Republicans in the beginning of their
present dominance. That the Republicans
are being convinced against their will only
adds to the measure of the triumph. No mat
ter how carefully the secretary of state ex
plains the distinction which admits us to the
court without binding US to the league,
the thoughtful mind promptly casts aside
the verbiage and looks upon the very core
of the situation, which is that we must be-
come member of the league or remain in
the weak position of one wao admits the
propriety of course he will not follow.
Naturally, participation in the leagues
international court is desirable. Indeed, it
is something we can scarcely avoid if there
arises controversy between this government
and league member which insists upon trial
before the league tribunal. The court is in
many respects the essence of the league idea,
for it promises to be the mec:um through
which international disagreements may be
composed without resort to war. To pre-
vent war is the very basis of the leagues
purpose. A delicate question IS involved in
our stipulation that we have voice in the
choice of judges for the tribunal. That the
nations will probably be inclined to con-
cede the point is indicated by the fact that
they have anticipated our present attitude
by having chosen our own John Bassett
Moore as one of the original group of
judges. The more the nations concede, how
ever, the greater becomes our moral obliga-
ton to justify their attitude by recession
fro mour boosted aloofness.
The Republican politicians choose to pre-
sent the argument that they are under pop
ular mandate to keep the nation out of the
league. The truth is that congress could
tomorrow vote to become member of the
league and raise scarcely a ripple of pro-
test. The people have never rejected the
league idea, nor is it either fair or accurate
so to interpret the vote on which the Re-
publicans rode into office. The responsibility
for their record rests squarey upon the
Republicans, and cannot be shifted to the
people. The people elected them to use
their discretion, and instead they have hus-
banded it. To adopt the presidents sug-
gestion will be for the Republicans partial
redemption of their previous mistake. Even
half loaf is better than no bread, especially
when there is assurance that we can have
the other half for the taking.