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

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picion and fear had previously dewitt
but we gave an example to the world
of the conference way TO peace, which
time will appraise as the supreme &C
complishment.
Says Problem Solved.
Hardly had this gratifying work
been accomplished before the admins
tration begun its endeavors for further
fulfillment. Meanwhile an Interna-
tional Court of Justice had been estab-
lished. 1t was an agency for peace
full settlement which had long been
sought. Its establishment previously
had failed because no agreement had
been possible over the method of
election OF judges. The existence of
the League of Nations offered a solu-
ton. Almost all the member nations
had signed a protocol establishing the
court The members of the council,
in which the larger powers have
permanent representation. Afforded one
voting body with a veto on the mem
bers of the assembly consisting of rep
resentatives of all the nations, and
member nations Of the assembly could
have a veto on the larger powers rep
resented in the council. Here was
device for electinS judges which re-
moved the heretofore unsOlvable prob
lem of a satisfactory means of select
ing them. Not the council. but the
nation members thereof, must vote in
ma jority for the same candidates for
which members Of the assembly voted
in majority. else the election is
void until a conference points the
way 10 agreement.
American Judge In Court.
The court was established and is
functioning. An American judge sits
on the court, though We had no part
in choosing him.
Under the provisions of its estab-
lishment. the United States can apply
for a court decision on any justiciable
question. even as any nation partici-
pating in its establishment. Perhaps
the court is not all that some advo-
Gates of the court plan would have it.
but it is in a large measure the full
fillment Of an aspiration we long have
boosted. So I thought. and I still
think. We ought to be n party TO the
agreement. assume our part in its
maintenance and give 10 it the bene-
fit, such influence as our size and
wealth and ideals may prove to be.
For mere eligibility to appeal to
the court, nothing was needed. But
1t didn't seem fair to seek its adj
vantages without accepting all becom-
ing responsibilities. and here developed
the stumbling block. Naturally we
should wish TO participate in selecting
the judges. and the electors designated
were members of the league. We had
no thought Of joining the league. we
sought none of its offerings and will
accept none OF its obligations. The
President could propose no solution
to the signatory powers. because the
world has witnessed in disappointment
the spectacle of the executive pro-
posing and the Senate disposing. 1t
was not desirable to make some pro-
posals abroad that could not be car
ricd out; indeed none would he con-
sidered and it was not pleasing to
think of asking the Senate's consent
to.a program to which the nations
concerned would not agree. So. very
informally and very dicrctcly. the sit
uatlon was felt out. over a consider
able period of time, and when satisfied
that there was an appropriate course
OF action without connection with
the league. provided the Senate con-
scented. | proposed adherence to the
court protocol, and asked the Scnates
consent
No Secrets Wanted.
The documents speak for them
selves. 1t was pointed out that no
rights under the league and no oblira-
tons Of the league would be incurred.
but. to make certain that we would
not be involved, the letter Of the see
rotary of state suggested suitable res.
CREATIONS 10 afford ample guaranty.
This is the complete recital. 1t is
IN harmony with platform pledges.
candidatorial promises. and, 7 believe.
with American aspirations. The Sen
ates decision was hardly to be ex-
pected amid the enormous pressure of
business incident to the closing weeks
OF the short session. But i felt that
the Senate. the country. and the
friendly nations whose counsel we had
sought were entitled 10 know that
our gestures abroad were sincere. and
our own people should know there are
no secrets about our purposes at home.
once they are matured.
Excessive friends of the league have
beclouded the situation by their I'M
warranted assumption that it is n
move toward league membership. lie;
them disabuse their minds, because
there is no such thought among us
who must make our commitments
abroad.
Steers Middle Course.
And the situation is likewise be,
clouded by those who shudder Excess
gtre1U rbnn fhn La 80, II
and who assume ENHANCEMENT is I'M
avoidable. Any ENHANCEMENT would
first require assent of the Senate,
which is scarcely 10 be obtained. and.
ii by any chance the Senate approved
OF any ENHANCEMENT. the present adj
ministration would not complete the
ratification. II, in spite of these
statements uttered with full delibera-
ton, there are excessive and unbound
ed hopes on the one hand, or utterly
unjustifiHe approximations on the
other, / know of no word fittingly 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 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 dominions members of the
league assembly. the British Empire
will have six votes in that branch OF
the court electorate, but il 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 that when
applied TO the league as a super-pow-
mr. L L.