The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1923-04-26

the old world helpfully, more power
to it. But it it is not for us. The
senate has so declared, the executive
has SO declared, the people have so
declared. Nothing could be more de-
cisively stamped with fnality.N In
further keeping the faith the admin
istration made treaty of peace with
Germany, Just treaty which so i'm
Ipressed our wartime enemy that when
we came, later on, to set up a mixed
claims commission to settle the claims
of American nationals against Ger
many, that nation named one commits
sioner, we named one, and then, for
the first time in the history of inter
national relationship Germany asked
US, as contending nation, to name
the umpire, the third member whose
vote would decide all difficulties. I
know Of no like tribute to a nations
fairness in all the records of history.
Then in the fulfllment of the pledge
of free conference the international
conference on the limitation of arma-
ment was called, not in haste because
some one was prodding, but as early
as Ithe barriers to succeed could be
removed. The spirit of that confer
ence and the achievement wrought
have been written into history and
will grow UNNECESSARILY beyond the
almost universal popular favor already
accorded. There was not alone the
4 triumph in reducing naval ornaments
and ending competition which was
leading to oppressive naval strength
and adding staggering burderns to the
treasures of competing powers; not
alone the removal of every war cloud
and every reason for conflict in the
Pacific SO that now, accord and con-
cord abide where suspicion and fear
had previously dwelt; but we gave an
example to the world of the confer
ence way to peace which time will APP
praise as the supreme accomplishment.
Have International Court.
Hardly had this gratifying work
been accomplished before the admins
tration began its endeavors for further
fulfllment. Meanwhile an interna-
tional court of justice had been es-
tablished. 1t was an agency of peace
full settlement which had long been
lsought It's establishment previously
had failed because no agreement had
been possible over the method of cleo
tion of judges. The existence of the
League of Nations offered a solution.
Almost all the member nations had
signed protocol establishing the
court. The members of the council,
in which the larger powers have per-
msHent representation afforded, one
81
voting body with a veto on the mem
bers of the assembly consisting of
representatives of all the nations, and
member nations of the assembly could
have veto on the larger powers
represented in the council Here was
a device for electing judges which re-
moved the heretofore unsolvable prob
lem of a satisfactory means of select
ing them. Not the council, but the
nation members thereof, must vote in
majority for the same candidates for
which members of the assembly voted
in majority, else the election is
void until a conference points the
way to agreement.
The court was established and is
functioning. An American judge sits
on the court, though we had no part
in choosing him.
Under the provisions of it's estab-
lishment, the United States can apply
for court decision on any justifable
question, even as any nation partici-
pating in it's establishment Perhaps
the court is not all that some advocates
of the court plan would have it but it
/ in 4
of an aspiration we long have boosted.
So | thought and I still think, we
ought to be a party to the agreement,
assume our part in it's maintenance
and give to it the benefit such influ-
ence as our size and wealth and ideals
may prove to be.
Courts Door Was Opened.
For more eligibility to appeal to the
court, nothing was needed. But it
didn't seem fair to seek its advant-
ages without accepting all becoming
responsibilities and here developed the
stumbling block. Naturally we should
wish to participate in selecting the
judges and the electors designated
were members of the league. We had
no thought of joining the league, we
sought none of it's offerings and will
accept none of it's obligations. The
president could propose no solution to
the signatory powers, because the world
has witnessed in disappointment the
spectacle of the executive proposing
and the senate disposing. 1t was not
desirable to make some proposals
abroad that could not be carried out;
indeed none would be considered and
it was not pleasing to think Of asking
the Senate's consent to a PROCLAIM to
which the nations concerned would not
agree. So, very informally and very
discreetly the situation was felt out,
over considerable period of time and
when satisfied that there was an ap-
propriate course of action without con-
nection with the League provided the
Senate consented, I proposed adher-
ence to the court protocol and asked
the Senate's consent.
Documents Verify Report.
The documents speak for themselves.
1t was pointed out that no rights under
the League and no obligations of the
League would be incurred but to make
certain that we would not be involved,
the letter of the secretary of state
suggested suitable reservations to ac-
cord ample guaranty,
This is the complete recital. It is
in harmony with platform pledges, can