The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1923-12-06
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"'iPi"is oub inc LHlts1 states sees
no reason 10 limit It's own freedom
and Independence Of action by ioin.
ing IL. We shah do well 20 reeoe.
nizs this basic fact In all national
affair." and govern ourselves &C.
cordiDEiy.
WORLD
COURT
Our foreign policy has always
been guided by two principles. The
ono Is the avoidance Of permanent
political alliances which would rae.
rince our proper Independence. The
other II tho peaceful settlement OF
controversies between nations BY
example and BY treaty we have ad-
vocated arbitration. For nearly %
years ws have been member OF
The Hague Tribunal. and have long
sought the creation OF a permanent
world court OF justice. am 10 full
accord with both Of these policies.
favor tho establishment OF ouch
a court intsndcd 10 include the
whole world. That is. and has lona
RTftAs IA TAAiFIiHah putty
Pending before the senate IL
proposal that this government give
it's support 10 the Permanent Court
OF International Justice, which IL a
new and somewhat different plan.
This Is not partisan question. II
should not assume an artificial i'm
portance. The court Is merely
convenient instrument OF adjust
ment TO which we could 20. but To
which we could not be brought.
IL should be discussed with entire
candor, not by political but by
judicial method. without pressure
and without prejndice. Partisan
ship has no place in our foreign
relations As ] wish 10 500 a court
established. and as the proposal
presents tho only practical plan on
which many nations have ever
agreed. tho II may not meet every
desire. therefore commend II 10
the favorable consideration OF the
senate. with the proposed re~rva-
lions clearly indicating our refusal
10 adhere 10 the league OF nations.
RUSSIA
Our diplomatic relations, lately
50 largely interrupted. are now be-
ing resumed. but Russia presents
notable difficulties. We have every
desire 70 SEQ that great people. who
are our traditional friends, restored
20 their position among the nations
Of the earth. We have relieved
their pitiable deaiitution with an
enormous charity. Our government
offers no objection TO the carrying
on OF commerce BY our citizenf1
with the people OF Russia. Quiz
government does not propose. how
ever. TO enter into relations with
another regime which refuses 10
recognize the sancuty OF intsrra.
uonal obligations DO not pro.
pose 20 barter away for the priv
llegc Of trade any Of the cherished
rights Of humanity. ] do not pro-
pose TO make merchandise Of any
American principles These rights
and principles must 60 wherever
the sanctions OF our government 80.
But while the favor OF America
Is not for sale, am willing TO
make very large concessions for
the purpose Of rescuing the people
Of Russia Already encouraging
evidences OF returning 20 the an
Glen. ways OF society can be de-
tected But more are needed.
Whenever there appears any dis
position 10 compensate our citizens
who were despoiled. and 10 recog-
nlxe that debt contracted with our
government. not by the car, but
by the newly formed republic OF
Russia: whenever tho active spirit
OF enmity 10 our institutions ~
abated; whenever there appcs
works mete for repentance-ouT
country ought to be the first 10 20
10 the economic and moral rescue
OF Russia We have every desire
70 help and no desire TO in1ure.
We hope the time is near at hand
when we can act
DEBTS
The curren. debt and Interest
due from foreign goyeTnments ex-
elusive OF the British debt OF "a
coo 600 900, is about oo.ooo.ooe. 1
do not favor the cancellation Oh
this debt, but zee no objection 70
adjusting Il in, accordance with tho
principle adopted for the British
debt. Our country would not wish
10 assume the role OF an oppressive
creditor, but would maintain the
principle that financial obligations
between nations are likewise moral
obligations which international faltn
and honor require should be DIS
charged.
our government has a liouldatca
claim against Germany for the e1.
pense OF the army OF occupation OF
over. s255.ooo.ooo. Besides this tns
mixed claims commission have be-
fore them about 1880 claims OF
American citizens, aggregatng
about si.2as, 10000 These claims
have already been reduced BY re-
cent decision, but there are valio
claims reaching well toward ssoV'-
ooo. 900. Our thousands or eiuAens
with credits due them OF HUNDREDS
~ millions OF dollars have no re-
dress save in the action OF o. :
government. These are very Il
s,antial interests. which II Is the
duty OF our government TO protect
as best Il can. That course Pro
pose TO pursue.
ut is for these reasons that W0
have a direct interest In the eco
nomlc recovery OF Europe. Insy
are enlarged by our desire for tho
stability OF civilization and the wei
faro OF humanity. That we are
making sacrifices TO that end mono
can deny. Our deferred inte,ess
alone amounts to a million dollars
every day. But recently We OF
scrcd 10 aid with our advice ana
counsel We have reiterated our
desIre 10 sec France paid and Ger,
many revived. We have proposed
disarmament. we have earneS'y
sought to compose differences ana
ro.,oro neace We shall perseNero