Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-04-28

and those who are alarmed at such a
possibility arc entertaining vain
fears. The test is 4 clear one. if the
Senate should approve the Presidents
recommendation, the United States
would still, be outside the League. Ac-
ceptance of the Presidents proposal
as to the International Court will not
obtain for the United States n single
right or subject it to a single obli-
CATION under the covenant of the
League.
"Thcse are the questions in which
assucm the citizens of the United
States are interested:
rs it a good thing to have an in
ternational court?
"Why should we have n permanent
court instead of temporary arbitral
tribunals?
rs the Permanent Court of Inter
national Justice established on a
sound basis?
as there any reason why the Uni
ted States should not support it"
"First, Why should there be an in
ternational court? The manifest
answer is that there are controver-
sizes between nations which should
pe utCltcu ny toult INtScS,
the distinction between questions of q
legal nature and questions of policy,
there he emerged from the discus
sions of jurists an agreement defin-
ing justifiable disputes az those which
relate to the Interpretation Of n
treaty. to any question of interna-
tional obj gation or to the reparation
TO be made for such breaches.
at is to the direct interest of the
United states. with respect to the
dispo ,iton of it's own controversies.
that the best practicable method of
judicial settlement should be pTovid-
cd. Every citizen knows that il is in
the interest of domestic peace that
we should maintain Il tribunal by
which controversies arisin.; between
any two states can be determined. 1t
is equally essential to world peace
that controversies not our own should
he peacefully and impartially deter
mined vi. rcvcr that is possible.
"HOw are controversies between
nations 10 be determined? Ultimate
ly. the alternative TO peaceful settle
ment is the arbitrament OF force.
The only way to prevent war is to
dispose of the causes of war and the
desire for peace must be supported
by the institution OF peace. Because
a court may not be able to deal with
with every sort of controversy but
only with controversies that are APP
propriate for a court to decide is no
reason for dispensing with it.
The principle of judicial settle
ment Of international disputes has
been applied from early times
through arbitrators. It Is Il method Of
great value and | have no desire to
underestimate if. We have been
parties to more than 20 arbhrations
and we have concluded Il score of
general arbitration conventions.
Throughout its history the United
States has consistently supported this
sort OF judicial process. but we have
long recognized that it leaves much
20 be desired.
Third. Is the present Permanent
Court of International Justice, to
which the Presidents recommends
ton refers, established on u sound
basis?
1.-THE Permanent Court Of Interna-
tional Justice has been established
under what is called a statute. or
constitution, which defines its organi-
cation. jurisdiction, and procedure.
In the preparation OF this statute
the cCAlncil of the League called to
its aid an International committee Of