Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-03-09
SENATOR JOHNSON


An International court which sub-
stltutes the rule of law for that of
power. and the domination Of ms
,, tlce Tor armed might. has a sonorous
ana an appealing sound. To erene
That just as courts determine issnes
betwee individuals it is logical that
there should be a like mode Of ad-
!udication OF differences between ma
tons by similar courts, at once
strikes a sympathetic chord.
But what is not said and what is
not understood is that the so-called
international is no court at all. as
court is commonly understood. II is
little more than what exists without
arbitration treaties. 1t does not func-
ton like the ordinary courts with
which we are familiar. 1t cannot
hale before it recalcitrant countries.
nor can 1t. OF itself, assume jurisdic :
ton of disputes between nations. 1t
is mere abitral tribunal to which
! nations may submit disputes if they
see fit and only those questions.
which the parties themselves agree
to submit can be heard at all. Great
Britain, France. Italy and Japan
have refused to submit to any COM
pulsory jurisdiction. reserving to
themselves to decide when and
/ whether any controversy in which
they are interested shall come before
the international tribunal.
Thus the much heralded court,
which is to prevent war in the future,
Is denied i'll its inception by the greet
| nations of the earth the right or the
power to act upon any questions.
| which may he the breeders of war.
without the consent Of these nations
themselves.
1T is proposed that we do exactly
as Great Britain. France. Italy and
Japan have done. decline to submit
to the jurisdiction Of the court unIcs
we wish to submit to it. Ii, con-
troversy with one of the powerful
nations OF the earth, without that
nations consent even if we desire it.
the international court could not act.
The Grandiloquent statements there
fore. made to our people that w, are
establishing the rule Of law as OPP
posed to the rule Of power. substitute
ing the domination of justice under
law for armed might. eliminating 'he
cause OF war, are the pardonahle
phrases. the slittering generalities
with which we illunine every refer
enra to our international relations.
'Thc so-ca'led international court
is Il part of the League of Nations.
created by the league. Entering the
court, which some may believe to be
OF little consequence. is nevertheless
the first false step. There is no il
fusion about what 1t means among
the advocates of the league. They
understand full we'll. and their press
boasts the fact. that it is the enter
ing wedge, the first movement,
ial, nj fo1, ic tC n
membership into the League of Ma
tions.
ut has been a long and difficult
fight to keep MS from membership in
the League OF Nations. We fondly
hoped it had been decided by the
American people. Perhaps it must
be fought again. II so, let's fight 1T
in the open. with full understanding
and knowledge on the part OF our
people.
! IF America Is finally to be driven
in. lets 80 in with head up and flag
flying. DO not permit our proud ma
ton today timidly to meter one con-
cealed portal tomorrow surreptltious-
Nv to sneak in another. and while pre-
tending we are going some other
place, ultimately, when too late, when
the last irrevocable step has been
taken and we cannot e%tricate our
selves. find our country unknoWlngiy
! a member of that which 1t Eas SO
en,phat:cally repudiated.