The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-06-22

or the enlargement or diminution II
its numerical strength. or modifying
the proper provision that a nation
having a cause before the court,
which is not represented among the
judges, may name one of it's own
nationals to sit in that particular
case.
Such, in brief, is an outline Of the
basis upon which shall hope, at
the opening of Congress, for the
consent of the Senate to initiate
negotiations with the powers which
have associated themselves with
the Permanent Court of Interna-
tional Justice.
There are those who openly adj
yOcate our proposed association
with the court of justice as first
step toward joining the league Of
nations. Their number Is not large,
and they can not hope TO prevail.
There are those who, in fear and
trembling, proclaim their opinion
that this mighty Republic should
live as a hermit nation. They, too,
are few and hold to an impossible
position. Both are extremists. In
an endeavOr to obtain actual re-
suits, both may be safely omitted
from serious consideration.
But two great groups, comprising
a vast ma jority of our people, need
to be considered And between these
there lies no difference in professed
desire. am striving for fulfill
ment of that expressed desire. Both
urge participation of the United
States in a world court of justice,
in fulfillment of our age.long aspira-
ton and in conformity with our
unbroken tradition They agree
that to achieve it's fundamental pur-
pose of substituting justice for war
fare in the settlement of contro-
versies between nations, such a
tribunal must be its own master.
The distinction between the two is
not one of essential principle or of
avowed intent, but one only of fact
and opinion.
Some Satisfied.
There are those who hold that
the creation of the existing court
under a distinct protocol. instead
of directly under the covenant of
the league. removes every tincture
of subservience or obligation. For
present purposes. granting it's cor
rectness, there can be no real OBJ
lection to clarifying the fact in
plain. simple terms, to the end that
all doubts shall be dispelled and
that all minds shall be wholly con-
WINGED by ready understanding In
stead of being only partially per.
suaded by Intricate exposition. II,
as we all believe, the cornerstone
of every judicial structure is unques
tioning faith in its integrity, / arm
aav1 rxyf11 ino fnl Of nor
ticle of strength which would en-.
nance popular respect for and conf.
dence in its decisions. Surely no
harm, but rather much good, might
spring from simplification of an
admitted condition.
The other large group comprises
those who while equally earnest
in advocacy of an international
tribunal, regard the present court
with suspicion because of its orr
gin. This objection, for reasons
which / have noted, is unimportant.
Indeed, from practical viewpoint.
consider it a matter of distinct
congratulation that there is in ex-
istence a body which already has
justified itself, upon it's merits. by
demonstration OF it's character and
capabilities.
made effective in the reconstruction
of the court, with respect to its
continuing operation. that would
seem to dispose conclusively of all
other cited apprehensions Of danger
from the exercise of any influence
whatsoever either open or furtive,
by the league of nations or by any
other organiza ton.
The whole question of support or
opposition on the part of these two
controlling groups clearly resolves
into a test of sincerity. When once
American citizens have comprehend
ed that vital point, I shall have 20.
doubt OF their answer.
Wants Unity.
I have taken very frank cogni-
zance Of the avowed objections, be-
cause we have come to this very
test OF sincerity. Except for the
very inconsiderable minority, which
'is hostile to any participation in
world effort toward security, which
our better impulses are evtr urging,
there is overwhelming sentiment
favorable to our support OF
world court, But l want the United
States to give it's Influence to the
world court already established.
Since any adherence must be at
tended by reservations, am will
ing to give consideration to our
differences at home and thefehy
remove every threatening obstacle
worth considering, SO we may go
Fundamentally to the world with
an authorized tender of support.
So much for the domestic phases
of this problem But there is an
other. I hear the voice of the
doubter: This is all very well, but
it can not be done: The forty ma
lions which have signed the proto.
col will refuse to make these
changes. They have formulated
their plans, have arranged their
procedure. have constructed their
machinery, have established a going
concern; they are not only them.
selves content. but they can see no
reason why the few remaining DOW
ers should not be equally satisfied
with the result of their endeavors.
They will resent the mere sugges-
ton of such proposals by the United
States as an attempt at dictation.
1t would be an sact of discourtesy,
II not indeed Of unfriendliness. on
the part of the American Govern.
ment to approach them along these
lines. They will spurn the offer.
They will not brook interference
from an outsider. They will not
consent 10 upset or modify their