The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-06-22

Phillip l.. Davis.
John w. Harrison. -. 2
constituted as to appear and to be,
i'm theory and in practice, i'm form
and in substance, beyond the
shadow Of doubt, world court
and not q league court.
Second, that the United States
shall occupy a plane of perfect
equality with every other power.
There is no consequential dispute
among us concerning the league OF
nations. There are yet it's earnest
advocates. but the present Admins
tration has said. repeatedly and
decisively, that the league is not
for US. There admittedly is a
league connection with the world
court. We can not hope to get
anywhere except in the frankest
understanding of facts. The au-
thors of the court protocol, CO.
operating with a brilliant Ameri-
can leadership, turned to the league
organization for the court electorate,
to solve a problem in choosing
judges heretofore unsolvable.
Though I firmly believe we
could adhere to the court protocol,
with becoming reservation, and be
free from every possible Obliga-
ton to the league, 1 would frankly
prefer the courts complete In
dependence Of the league.
Just as frankly let me say that
I have not held it seemly, in view
of oft-repeated declaration favor.
able to the world court establish
ment, to say to the nations which
have established very much what
til aNe1f
put aside their very commendable
creation because we do not sub
scribe to its every detail, or fashion
it all anew and to our liking, In
every specific detail, before we
offer our assistance in making 1t
a permanent agency of improved
international relationship.
Up to the People.
Government can never success
fully undertake the solution of a
great problem unless it can frankly
submit it to the people. 1t is for
these reasons that. / confess these
objections. 1 recognize the con-
stitutioEal requirement of Senate
ratification, and / believe that the
tide of public sentiment win be
reflected in the Senate. am so
eager for the ultimate accomplish.
ment that am interested in
harmonizing opposing elements,
more anxious to effect our helpful
commitment to the court, than /
am to score a victory for execu-
tive insistence. Let US, therefore,
appraise some of the determining
factors which must be considered
in hopefully mapping our course.
apsIN n hNy n
overwhelming majority, the people
rejected the proposal of the admin
istration then in power to incor-
porate the United States in the
league of nations. To assert that
those 100000 900 voters did not know
what they were doing is to insult
their intelligence, and to deny the
facts. Whatever other considera-
tons may have influenced their
judgment were purely incidental.
The paramount issue, boldly. def
antly, advanced in unmistakable
terms by the Democratic party and
espoused by the Democratic candi-
date for President, was Endorsement
cratic President. dislike the use
Of party names in dealing with
problem which has now passed far
beyond party association, but
want the world court proposal
utterly ASSOCIATED with any inten-
ton of entrance into the league,
and recite the history to paint the
background. Moreover, / am 50
earnest in my desire to have the
United States give support to the
court that I would gladly wipe out
factional difference to effect the
great accomplishment.
If the country had desired to
join the league. in 1920 it had its
opportunity. 1t most emphati-
caIly refused. 1t would refuse
again, no less decisively, today.
There has been no change in
condition. 1t Is the same league
Not line in the rejected covenant
has been altered, not a phrase modi'
fled. not word omitted or added
Article x still stands as the heart
of the compact. Article XI and all
other stipulations objected to and
condemned by the American people
remain UNTOUCHED, in full force in
theory, however circumspectly- they
are being ignored in practice.
League Issue Dead.
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
k>AN