Perth Amboy evening news., 1923-04-24
HARDING FOR COURT ENTRY
BUT AGAINST LEAGUE
CONTINUED frorn page j,

a new appraisal or It's assets"
Sensing one of the principal argu-
ments to be used by opponents OF
the administration proposal, the
claim that the United States would
be placed at a disadvantage in the
election of judges to the court
through the disparity in the national
voting power in the league assembly.
the President said he frankly recog-
nized this as a political bugbear.'
! but added that inasmuch as no ma
ton could have more than judge
it was less OF an objection than when
applied to the league itself.
although the question of a
w3rld court formed the burden of
the Presidents address he also be-
spoke a word for the establishment
OF a merchant marine, deplored
lack Of party loyalty and the organic
zation of groups or blocs to serve
group interests and urged that the
primary be made an agent of in
di~sputable party expression rather
than q means Of party confusion or
destruction.
The address, of the President in
part follows:
Members Of The Associated Press:
During the closing days OF the
last Congress ] sen to the Senate a
communication asking its advice and
consent to the adherence by the gov
eminent Of the United States to the
lIotocol establishing the ~Interna-
tionaf Court of Justice. Out Of this
simple, natural, normal proceeding
has developed so much OF mystery,
so much OF misunderstanding, so
much of protest and approval. so
much of threatened muddying of
the political waters, that I welcome
the opportunity IN SC appropriate
an occasion, to reveal to the Ameri-
IAN people both the purpose and the
motives impelling.
Ours is popular government
through the agency Of political par
ties, and it must be assumed that
the course of the successful party,
which is at the am time an honest
party, must be fairly chartered by
the platform OF that party and by
the uttera nces of its candidates when
appealing for popular approval. On
that assumption 1t Is seemly to re-
call the declarations OF the party
now in power relative to the pro-
motion of International relationships
In 1904 the national platform of
the Republican party said I'VE ia
vor the peaceful settlement Of in
ternational differences by arbitra-
ton" Four years later, in the ma
tionaI convention Of 1908. the party
in its platform alluded to progress
made In keeping faith with the pre-
vious declaration, and said:
THE conspicuous contributions OF
American craftsmanship to the cause
OF international peace 30 strongly
in The Hague conferences
are occasions for just pride and
qualification. . We indorse such
achievement as the highest duty of a
people to perform, and proclaim the
Of further strengthening
the bonds of friendship and good
will with all the nations OF the
In 1912 the Republican platform
made a very explicit declaration REL
latine to an international court of
Justice. I quote from the party COW
enant OF faith:
Together with peaceful and or
Derby development at home, the Re-
publican party earnestly favors all
measures for the establishment and
of the peace of the world,
and for the development OF closer
relations between the various nations
Of the earth. 1t believes most earn
estly in a peaceful settlement of In
te%rnational disputes and In the ref-
of all controversies between
to an international court Of
y . o |
In 1920 the question of u for
relationship was very acute. The
senate had rejected the Versailles
go - 49, Y1artA nf NatinnGI
The convention voiced its ap-
oroval of the rejection. but was IN
to pledge aloofneSs from the
Therefore 1t said in its plat
form procurement:
I'VE pledge the coming Republ-
can administration to such agree
with other nations of the
world as shall meet the full duty
Of America to civilization and hu-
manity, in accordance with Ameri-
.an ideals, without surrendering the
of the American people to ex-
it's judgment and its power In
favor of justice and peace"
AS a participant In the making OF
Iome of these platforms and as the
oanner-bearer of n campaign. l
rave a right TO believe they spoke
W pal ~
t is not easy to misconstrue.
But there are other u~tterances
which 1t is seemly to recall. 1 al
ude to the interpretation of the
platform by the candidate in 1870.
On August %, 1920. speaking on
he League of Nations proposal l
aid frankly and very definitely l
lid not favor the United States
.ering the League Of Nations 1t
vas declared then that the issue, as
by the candidates, involved
he disparity between a world court
If Justice, supplemented by world as
ISOLATION for conference, on the one
hand. and the council of the League
IN the other" Quoting further
rom the same address. 1 said:
The one is a judicial tribunal to
be governed by fixed and definite
of law, administered with
put passion or prejudice. The other
s an association OF diplomats and
whose determinations are
sure to be influenced by considera-
of expediency and national
One a government of
avs ana one a government of men,"
In that same address I commended
he Hague tribunal. One paragraph
s particularly appropriate to quote
II believe humanity would well
the creation of an information
II association for conference and a
world court whose verdicts on
questions this country. in
common with all nations. would be
and able to uphold. The de-
of such a court or the recon-
nendations of such a conference
.n..IA LAAaAaAA-A .uILN...A --..i Of 7. L