The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-04-25

lShneSS. one government or laws an6 one government of men"
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 Commended Hague Tribunal.
 Tn that same address 1 commended The Hague Tribunal. One paragraph is particularly appropriate to quote afresh:
 I belive humanity would well come the creation of an international association for conference and a world court whose verdicts on justi- liable questions, this country in com mon with all nations, would be will ing and able to uphold. The decision of such court or the recommenda- tions of such conference would be accepted without sacrificing in our part or asking any other power to sacrifice one iota of its nationa lity.'
 50 much for political party his tory. I have quoted it. because l be- lieve in keeping the fath. If politl- cal parties do not mean what they say and candidates do not mean what they say, then our form of popular government is based on fraud and cannot hope to endure.
 Tn compliance with it's pledges the new administration, which came into power in March, 1921, definitely and decisively put aside all thought of the United States entering the League Of NatlonS. It uoesn | propose to enter now, b., the side door, the back door, or the cellar door. l have no unseemly comment to offer on the League. If it Is serving the Old World helpfully, more power to It.. But 1t is not for us. The Senate has so declared, the executive has so de- clared, the people have so declared Nothing could be more decsively stamped with finality.
 
 Germany Honors America.
 Tn further keeping of the faith the administration made a treaty of peace with Germany, just a treaty, which so impressed our wartime enemy that when we came, later, to set up a mixed claims commission to settle the claims of American na- tionals against Germany, the nation named one. and then for the first time in the history of international relationship, Germany asked us. as a contending nation, to name the um pire, the third member. whose vote would decide all difficulties. I know of no like tribute to a natio:.s fair ness In all the records of history.
 Then in the fullm mt of the pledge of free conference, the international conference on the limitation of arma- ment was called, not in haste, not be- cause some one was rodding, but as early as the barriers to success could be removed. The spirit of that con- ference and the achievement wrought have been written into history; and will grow imme measurably beyond the almost universal popular favor all ready accorded. There WIS not alone the triumph in reducing naval strength and adding staggering bur dens to the treasuries of the com peting powers; not alone the removal nf r1n son for conflict in the Pacific. so that accord anL concored abide. where suspicion and fear had previously dwelt; but we gave an example to the world of the conference way to peace. which time "ill appraise as the supreme accomplishment.
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 League Offers solution.
 Hardly had this gratifying work been accomplished before the ad. ini- stration began its endeavors for further fulfillment. Meanwhile an international court of justice has has been established. It was an agency of p aoeful settlement which had long been sought. It's estab- lishment previously had failed be- cause no agreement had been pos sible over the method of election judges. The existence of the League of Nations offered a solution. AL most all the member nations had signed protocol establishing the court. The meml CTS of the council in which the larger powers have per manent represe sentation, afforded one voting body with a veto on the mem- representatives of all the nations and members of the assembly could have veto on he larger powers represented in the council. Here will be a device for electing judges .,hich removed the heretofore unsolved problem of satisfactory means of selecting them. Not the council, but the nation members thereof, rst vo,e in majority for the same candi- dates for which members of the as- sembly voted in majority, else the election is void until a conference points the way to agreement.
 The court was established, and is functioning. An American judge sits on the court, though we had no part in choosing him.
 Urges Entering Court.
 Under the provisions of its estab- lishment the United state can apply for a court decision on any justifi- able question, even as any nation participating in it's establishment. Perhaps the court Is not all that some advocates of the court plan woul have 1t. but it i3 in a large measure the fulfillment of an aspira- tion we have long boasted. So I thought, and I still think. we ought to be a party to the agreement, as- sume our part in it's maintenance, and give to it the benefit such in- fluence as our size and wealth and idea may pro to be.
 For security of defense, for the I4 intellectual outlay in case of future war, for the promotion of our com merce and our eminence on the seas, l believe a great merchant marine to be an outstanding American re- quirement. Since we cannot hope for government aid to private owner ship. we propose to do our best to or ganize and consolidate our lines and service. applying the lessons of ex- perience which cost us hundreds of millions in operation alone, then of fer for sale. If we cannot sell. we will operate, and operate aggressive ly until Congress inhibits.
 Make for Self Rei3nnee. H 0
 "Confessedly. this is contradic- government in government and more business in government, but if we cannot get out of the shipping busi- ness in practical way and be as- sured of privately owned and pri- vately operated shipping. it is the business of the government to con serve our shipping assets and make for our self-reliance on the high seas.
 One more thought, little expect ed on this occasion, I am sure but particularly appropriate before high ly representative men of the Amer ican press. I know from experience how newspaper man confidently prints opinions on public affairs. He has marked advantage. because he is seldom called upon to make good, unless he happens to be elected