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

American people to exercise its judg-
ment and its power in favor of JUS
tice and peace"
As a participant in the making OF
some of these platforms and as the
banner-besrer Of one campaign, |
have a right to believe they spoke
the party conscience so plainly that
it is not easy TO misconstrue.
Quotes His Campaign Speech.
But there are other utterances
which it is scemly 10 recall. ] allude
10 the Interpretation of the platform
by the candidate in 1920. An August
IS. 1920, speaking on the League OF
Nations proposal. I said frankly and
very definitely that | did not favor
the United States entering the League
Of Nations. 1t was declared then that
the issue, as defined BY the candi-
dates. involved the disparity between
a world court of justice. supplemented
BY world association for conference.
on the one hand. and the council of
the league on the other" Quoting
further from the same address, |
said:
The one is judicial tribunal to be
governed by fixed and definite prin-
ciples of law. administered without
passion or prejudice. The other is
an association Of diplomats and politi-
clans, whose determinations are sure
to be influenced by considerations Of
expediency and national selfishness.
One a government of laws and one a
government of men,"
Commends Hague Tribunal.
In that same address / commended
The Hague tribunal. One paragraph
is particularly appropriate TO quote
afresh:
Il believe humanity would welcome
the creation Of an international as
sociation for conference and a world
court whose verdicts on. justifiable
queStions this country. in common
with all nations. would be willing
and able TO uphold. The decision of
such a court or the recommenda tons
of such a conference could be accept
ed without sacrifice on our part or
asking any other power to sacrifice
one iota of its nationality"
So much for political party history.
I have quoted il because 7 believe in
keeping the faith. IL political parties
do not mean what they say and candi-
dates do not mean what they say.
then our form of popular government
is based on fraud and cannot hope
TO endure.
League Not Wanted.
In compliance with its pledges. the
new administration. which came into
power in March, 1921. definitely and
decisively put aside all thought of
the United States entering the
League of Nations. II doesn't pro-
pose to enter now, by the side door.
the back door. or the cellar door. I
have no unseemly comment to offer
on the league. IF it is serving the
Old World helpfully, then more pow
or to it. But 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-
sively stamped with finality.
In further keeping of the faith. the
administration made a treaty of peace
with Germany. just treaty, which
81 impressed our war time enemy
that when We came. later on. to set
up a mixed claims commission to set
tie the claims of American nationals
against Germany, that nation named
one commissioner. we named one. and
then. for the first time in the history
of international relationship. Ger
many asked us. az a contending ma
ton. to name the umpire. the third
member. whose vote would decide all
difficulties. know of no like tribute
TO a nations fairness in all the
records of history.
Written Into History.
Then in the fulfillment Of the
pledge Of free conference. the intern.
tional conference on the limitation of
armament was called, not in haste.
not because someone was prodding.
but as early as the barriers TO sue
cess could be removed. The spirit
of that conference and the achievement
wrought have been written into his
tory. and will grow immeasurably be-
yond the almost universal popular
favor already accorded. There was
not alone the triumph in reducing
naval ornaments and ending COMPETE
ton which was leading to oppressive
naval strength and adding staggering
burdens to the treasures Of Compel
ing powers: not alone the removal of
every war cloud and every reason for
J conflict in the Pacific, 50 that now