San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-04-24

last Congress sent TO the Senate a
communication asking its advice and
consent to the adherence by the gov
eminent of the United States to the
protocol establishing the International
Court of Justice. Out of this simple,
natural, normal proceeding has de-
veloped 50 much Of mystery. so much
of misunderstanding, so much of pro-
test and approval, so much of theat-
ened muddying ef the political waters.
that ] welcome the opportunity. on
20 appropriate an occasion. to reveal
TO the American people both the pur-
pose and the motives impelling.
A Party Pledge. He Says.
Ours is popular government
through the agency of political parties,
and it must be assumed that the
course of the successful party, which
is at the same time an honest party,
must be fairly charted by the plat
form of that party. and by the ut
terances of its candidates when ap-
pealing for popular approval. On that
assumption ii is seemly to recall the
declarations of the party now in pow
er relative to the promotion of in
ternational relationships.
In 1904 the national platform of
the Republican party said we fav-
or the peaceful settlement of inter
national differences by arbitration. :"
Four years later. in the national con-
vention OF 1908, the party in its
platform alluded the progress made
in keeping faith with the previous
declaration, and said:
The conspicuous contributions
of American craftsmanship to the
cause Of international peace 50 strong
" advocated in The Hague confer
ences are occasions for just pride and
qualification. We indorse such
achievements as the highest duty of
a people 10 perform and proclaim the
obligation of further strengthening
the bonds of friendship and good
will with all the nations of the
world"
Recalls 1912 Declaration.
In 1912. the Republican platform
made a very explicit declaration relat-
ing to an International Court of JUS
tice. / quote from the party covenant
of faith:
Together with peaceful and order
~ development at home, the Republi-
can party earnestly favors all meas
ures for the establishment and pro-
lection Of the peace of the world. and
for the development Of closer relations
between the various nations of the
earth. 1t believed most earnestly in
peaceful settlement Of international
disputes and in the reference of all
controversies between nations to an
international court Of Justice"
Thu 81
was made in 1916. | quote again:
The Republican party believes that
firm. consistent. and courageous for
elrn policy, always maintained by
Republican presidents in accordance
with American traditions. is the best
way to preserve peace and restore 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"
Recites 1920 Platform.
In 1920 the question of our foreign
relationship was very acute. The
Senate had rejected the Versailles
treaty and the League of Nations
pact. The convention voiced its ap-
prevail OF the rejection. but was un.
willing to pledge aloofness from the
world. Therefore it said in its plat
form pronouncement:
We pledge the coming Republican
administration 10 such agreements
With other nations of the world as
snail meet the full duty of America
to civilization and humanity, in &C
cordance with American ideals. with
out surrendering the right of til,