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

any chance the. Senate approved of any
entanglement, the present administra-
ton would not complete the ratihca-
ton. If in spite Of these statements
uttered with full elaboration, there
are excessive and unfounded hope on
the one hand or utterly unjustifable
apprehensions on the other, know of
no word fttingly to apply.
Frankly there is one political bug
bear. When we discussed the League
of Nations and its rule Of force, with
its super-powers through a political
council and assembly, myself con-
tended as senator for equal voting
power on the part Of the United States
with any nation in the world. With
her deminions members Of the League
assembly the British empire will have
six votes in that branch of the court
electorate, but it has only one in the
electorate of the council. In view of
the fact that no nation can have more
than one judge, it is a less formidable
objection than when applied to the
League as super-power, dealing with
problems likely to abridge members
national rights. I appraise the objec-
ton as one who voted against this dis
parity OF power in the League assem-
bly,, but in an appraisal now l do not
hesitatetto say that if other great pow
ers can accept without fear the voting
strength of the British dominions when
they are without ties of race to mini
mize international rivalries and sus-
picions, we ought in view of the nat
ural ties of English-speaking kinship,
feel ourselves free from danger.
Court Will be Perfected.
The perfected court must be mat
ter of development. l earnestly COM
mend it because it is great step in
the right direction toward the peace
full settlement of justifable questions,
toward the elimination of frictions
which lead to war and surer agency
of international justice through the
application of law than can be hoped
for in arbitration which is influenced
by the prejudices of men and the ex-
pediency of politics.
We can do vastly more to perfect it
in the capacity of an adherent than
in aloofness in which we arrogate to
ourselves the right to say to the world
we dictate but never comply. would
yield none of our rights, none of our
nationality but would gladly give of
our influence and cooperation to move
forward and upward toward world
peace and that reign of justice which
is indefinitely more secure in the rule
of national honor than in national or
international force.
have INDUCED the dream, nay a
justified hope, that out of the encour-
aged and sustained court might come
the fulfllment of larger aspirations
in the proof of its utility and a spir-
it of concord among nations might
come that voluntary conference of ma
tions out of which could be expected
clarified and codifed international
law to further assure peace under the
law and bring nations that under
standing which is ever the first and
best guarantor of peace.
Is the Paramount Question.
would not have it thought that hold
this question paramount to all others
confronting our government. I do not
hold it menace to the unity of any
political party. 1t. is not to be classed
as a party question but if any party
repeatedly advocating world court
is to be rendered by the suggestion
of an effort to perform in accordance
with its pledges, it needs new ap-
praisal of its assets.
Our problems at home invariably
call for first consideration. Our own
house must be kept in order, our own
good fortune must be assured before
we can be large contributors to world
progress or measurably helpful to hui
manity. l have little patience with
the contention of those who believe
large commercial advantages will at
tend our larger assumption of world
responsibility. Nations are not en-
gagged in bartering their trade advan-
tages for larger fellowships. We dc
not do it, ourselves and we need not
ask what we do not give. Commerce
is the very life blood of every peoples
existence, and nations commercial
opportunities are valued little less
than the securities of its citizenship
A restored Europe with less consump-
ton in conflict and more production
and consumption in hopeful peace and
banished hate would add to the vol
ume of world commarce We would
gladly acclaim such a restoration. Our
influence and helpfulness are ready
when they will avail, but we cannot
intrude where we ourselves would re-
sent intrusion.
Commercial Position Strong.
Our position commercially is gain
ing in strength, because we are free
from political entanglements and can
be charged with no selfish designs.
In the making of new pacts and the
re-making of old, we ask no more, &C
cept no less than the equal oppor-
tunity we are ever ready to grant
others and the position is unassail-
able. The nation which grants jus
tice may confidently ask it, and the
world social, political, or commercial
which would promote Justice
through assertion of judgment of its
court must practice justice in it's daily
transactions.
Pleads for Merchant Marine.
/ made allusfon in the beginning to