Perth Amboy evening news., 1923-06-22

the league in 1920 and it most en-
phatically refused and "it would
refuse again, no less decisively to-
day."
There has been no change of con-
dition,'' he added with respect to
the league issue. ut is the same
league. Not a line in the rejected
covenant has been altered, not a
phrase modified, not a word omit
ted or added. Article X. still stands
as the heart of the compact. Art
icle XXI. and all other stipulations
objected to and condemned by the
American people remain untouched,
in full force in theory, however cir
cumspeetly 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
as slavery. Is it not the part of wis
dom and common sense to let it rest
in the deep grave to which it has
been consigned, and turn
thoughts to living things?"
Mr.. Harding said he recognized
rudiments of good in the league or
%ganization, however, and repeated
his declaration of 1920 that he hop
ed to take and combine all that is
good and excise all that is bad" from
the league and the Hague tribunal.
The abstract principal of a world
court found its genesis in the Hague
Tribunal" he continued, THE con-
crete application 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.
TT 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 obtain
ed. That, to the best of my infor-
nation and belief is a fact univer-
sally admitted and acclaimed. l care
lot whence the court came. l insist
only that its integrity, its independ-
ence, it's complete and continuing
freedom be safe-guarded absolutely.
1.-The sole question is whether the
requirements which I have enumer-
at as essential to adherence by the
United States can be met. My ans
wer is that where there is a unani-
nous will, a way can always be
found. I am not welded irrevoca-
bly, to any particular method. ]
would not assume for a moment thai
the readjustment of the existing ar
rangement which appears to my
mind as feasible is the best, much
less the only, one. But, such as il
is, I submit it, without excess of de-
tail as a basis for consideration, dis
cussion and judgment"
The President then presented his
proposal for a self-perpetuating court
and added:
1.-THE fixing of compensation of
the judges, the supervision of ex-
penditures, the apportionment of
contributions, etc, could also be
transferred from the league to either
the court of arbitration or a COM
mission designated by the member
nations. Thus incidentally, would be
the admitted unfairness of
present system, which imposes
a tax upon members of the league
who are not subscribers to the court
'"The exclusive privilege nov held
by the league to seek advisory legal
guidance from the court might either
be abolished, or, more wisely per-
be extended to any member or
group of member nations. Thus all
be served alike, subject as now
to determination by the court it
self of the kind of questions upon
it would render judgments.
1.-THE disparity in voting as be-
a unit nation and an aggre-
gated empire, which now maintains
the assembly of the league, to
which many object, because of ap-
prehensions which 1 do not share,
would, under this plan, disappear
automatically"
In presenting these suggestions
he President declared he neither
advanced nor reiterated from the pos
Ition assumed in presenting the court
proposal to the Senate, but merely
Indicated ways and mean for real
of our common aspiration"
he defined as a desire to sub
Justice for warfare in the
of controversies between
nations"
%'Further than that I shall not CO."
he declared. II shall not attempt
coerce the Senate Of the United
I shall make no demand up
on the people. l Snall upon
crusade. Hereafter, from time
to time, as tonight, acting strictly
but to the full limit of my
constitutional authority, I shall make
further exposition of my matured
views and maturing proposals.
But I shall restrict my appeal
to your reason. I shall call upon
your patriotism. I shall beseech
your humanity. 1 shall invoke your
Christianity. I shall reach to the
very depths of your love for your
men of whatever race or
creed throughout the world. 1 shall
speak, as 1 speak now, with all the
earnestness and power of the SINGER
ity that is in me and in perfect faith
that God will keep clear and recep-
tive your understanding.
II could not do otherwise. My
soul yearns for peace. My heart is
anguished by the sufferings of a
Ny spirit is eager TO servN. My pas
sion is for justice over force. My
hope is in the great country. My
mind is made up. My resolution is
fxed."