The Dolores star., 1923-12-14
President in His Message to
Lawmakers, Defends Policies.
TO FOLLOW HARDING'S IDEAS
Is Opposed to League of Nations, but
FaVors World Court-Wants Dis
abied Veterans Cared For, but
Is Opposed to Grant
ing a Bonus.

the following Recommendations to
offer:
Since the close Of the last congress
the nation has lost President Harding
The world knew his kindness and his
humanity, his greatness and his char
.aeter. He has left his mark upon
history. He has made justice more
certain and peace more secure. The
SURPRISING tribute paid to his mem
Ory as he was borne across the con
tinent 10 rest at last ut home re-
Vealed the place he held in the hearts
of the American people. But this is
aot the occasion for extended refer
ence TO the man or his work In this
presence, among those who knew and
loved him, that is unnecessary. But
we who We're associated with him
could not resume together the func-
tions of our office without pausing for
4 moment, and in his memory recon
secrating ourselves to the service of
our country. He is gone We re-
main. 1t is our duty, under the in
spiration Of his example, to take up
tile burdens which he was permitted
10 lay down, and to develop and sup
port the wise principles of government
which he represented
Foreign Affairs.
For US peace reignS everywhere
We desire To perpetuate it always by
granting full justice t" others and re-
luirins of others full justice 10 our
selves
Our country has one cardinal prin-
ItpIe to maintain in lis foreign pol
icy. II is an American principle. II
must be an American policy. We
aftend to our own affairs, conserve
rur own strength, and protect the in
'rrests of our own citizens; but we
recognize thoroughly our obligation to
help others, reserving to the decision
II our own Judgment the time, the
place, aud the method. We realize
the common bond of humanity. We
know the inescupablc law of service.
Our country has definitely refused
90 adopt and ratify the covenant of the
LeagUe 0f Nations. We have not felt
warranted in assuming the respunSi-
nllltleS which its members have as
Sumed. | am not proposing any
change in this policy; neither is the
senate. The incident 80 far rs we
are concerned. is closed. The league
exists as u foreign agency. We hopr
it will be helpful. But The United
States sees no reason to limit its owr
freedom and independence Of action
by Joining it, We shall do well Il" rec
ognize this basic fact in all ulfiona
affairs and govern ourselves accord
ingly.
World Court.
our foreign policy has always beer
guided by two principles The one j.
the avoidance of permanent poIificu'
alliance which would sacrifice uuI
proper independence. The other f.,
the peaceful settlement of controver
sizes between nations. BY example
aud by treaty we have advocated arbi
ration. For nearly - years we have
been member of The Hague tribunal
and have long sought the creution Of
permanent World Court OF Justice
am in fun accord with both Of these
policies. favor the establishment
of such court intended to include
the whole world. That is. and has
long been. an American policy.
Pending before the senate Is pro
posaI that this government give its
support to the Permanent Court of In.
ternational Justice. which is new
and somewhat different plan. This IS
NOT partisan question. 1t should
not assume an artificial importance
The court is merely convenient in
strument of adjustment to which we
could 20, but to which we could not be
brought. II should he discussed with
entire candOr, not by a political but
Dy a judicial method. without pressure
and without prejudice Partisanship
has no place 10 our foreign relations.
As | wish TO gee court established,
and as the proposal presents the only
practical plan on which many nations
have ever agreed. though it may not
meet every desire. therefore com.
mend 1t to the favorable considcra.
tfon of the senate with the proposed
reservations clearly Indicating our re
fusal to adhere to the League of Ma
tions.
Russia.
Our diplomatic relations. lately so
largely interrupted. are now being re
~umed but Russia presents notable
difficulties. We have every desire to
see that great people, who are our ira
ditional friends, restored to their po-
sition among the nations of the earth
we have relieved their pitiable desti
tuition with an enormous charity. Our
government offers no objection TO the
carrying on of commerce by our citi
zens with the people Of Russia. Our
government does not propose. how
ever. to enter into relations with an
other regime which refuses to recog
nize the snnctity OF international Oh