Evening star., 1923-06-22
70 Pleads for World Court But Is Firm Against League

ment to the court than I am to score
a victory for executive insisteHce. Let
US. therefore. appraise some of the
determining factors which must be
considered in hopefully mapping our
course.
Nearly three years ago, by an over
whelming majority, the people re-
jected the proposal of the admins
tration then in power to incorporate
the United States in the league of
nations. To assert that those 10000
600 voters did not know what they
were doing is to insult their intelli-
gence and to deny the facts. What
ever other considerations may have
influenced their Judgment were pure
boldly. def1antly advanced in unmis-
taxable terms by the democratic
party and espoused by the democratic
candidate for President was indorse-
ment of the demand of the then DEM
ocratfc President. / dislike the use
of party names in dealing with the
problem which has now passed far
beyond party association. but ! want
, the world court proposal utterly dis
associated with any intention of en-
trance into the league, and reeite the
history to paint the background.
Moreover, l am SO earnest in my de-
sire to nave the United States give
support to the court that L would
gladly wipe out factional difference
to effect the great accomplishment.
League Issue Dead.
If the country had desired to join
the league, in 1920 IL had It's oppor-
tunity. 1t most emphatically refused.
1t would refuse again, no less de-
cisively today.
There has been no change in con-
iS hn
line in the rejected covenant has been
altered, not phrase modified, not
word omitted or added. Article Y still
stands as the heart OF the compact
Article Hl and all other stipulations
objected to and condemned by the
American people remain untouched, in
full force and theory. however cir
cumspectly they are being ignored in
practice.
In the. face of the overwhelming
verdict of 1920, therefore. the issue
of the league of nations is as dead S
slavery. Is 1t not the part of wisdom
and common sense to let it rest In the
deep grave TO which it has been con-
signed, and turn our thoughts to liv-
ing things?
Quotes 1920 Speech.
But let there be no misunderstand-
ing. | do not say three years ago,
and | do not say now, that there is no
element In the league organization
which might be utilized advantage
ously in striving to establish helpful,
practical cooperation among the ma
tions of the earth. On the contrary,
| recognized generally then, and per-
ceive more precisely now, rudiments
of good in both the league and The
Hague tribunal. Having marked the
fundamental difference between a
court of international justice. which
| espoused, and the council set up
by the league covenant. which | dis
approved, as "the difference between
d government of laws and a govern
ment of men," l said plainly on Au-
gust 2S. 1920: II would take and COM
bine all that is good and excise all
that is bad Irom both organizations"
That is exactly what I am now pro-
posing to do. The abstract principle
of a world court found its genesis in
The Hague tribunal. The concrete ap-
plication of that principle has been
made by the league. Sound theory
and admirable practice have been
joined successfully. The court itself
is not only firmly established but has
clearly demonstrated its utility and
efficiency.
Praises World Court.
1t is a true judicial tribunal. Its
composition is of the highest order.
None better. none freer. from selfish.
partisan, national, or racial preju-
diceS or influences could be obtained.
That. to the best of my information
and belief, is a fact universally ad-
mitted and acclaimed. I care not
whence the court came. I insist only
that its integrity. its independence.
its complete and continuing freedom
be safeguarded absolutely.
The sole question is whether the
requirements which j have enumer-
ated as essential to adherence by the
United States can be met. My an
swer is that where there is a
unanimous will, a way can always be
found. l am not welded irrevocably
to any particular method. l would
not assume for a moment that the
rangement which appears to my
mind as feasible is the best, much
less the only, one. But. such as II is,
l submit it, without excess of detail,
as basis for consideration, discus
sion and Judgment.
Would Transfer Powers.
Granting the noteworthy excel
lence. of which I, for one, am fully
convinced. of the court as now con-
stituted why not proceed in the be-