Evening star., 1923-04-24
WORLD COURT PLEDGE
C.O.P.HASICNOREDFOR
YEARS, SAYS PRESIDENT
Text of Harding
Appeal for u. S.
Entry Into Court
President Harding's speech fol

burlnS the ciOSlnS udyS VI lbe
last Congress | sent to the Senate
a communication asking its advice
and consent to the adherence by
the government of the United
States to the protocol establishing
the International Court of Justice.
out of this simple. natural normal
proceeding has developed so much
of mystery, so much OF mlSunder-
standing. so much of protest and
approval so much OF threatened
muddying of the political waters,
that l welcome the opportunity. on
SO appropriate an occasion. to re-
veal to the American people both
the purpose and the motives i'm
pelling.
Recalls Platforms.
ours Is popular government
through the agency of political
parties. and ii must be assumed
that the course of the successful
party, which is at the same time
an honest party, must be fairly
charted by the platform of that
party, and by the utterances of its
candidates when appealing for
popular APPROVAL on ITdl siSSuulp-
ton it is Seemly to recall the dec
larations of the party now in pow
er relative to the promotion Of in
ternational relationships.
In 1904 the national platform of
the republican party said, I'VE favor
the peaceful settlement of interna-
tional differences by arbitration"
Four years later. in the national
convention of 1908. the party in its
platform alluded to progress made
in keeping faith with the previous
declaration, and said:
THE conspicuous contributions
of American craftsmanship to the
cause of international peace so
strongly advanced in The Hague
conferences are occasions for just
pride ard qualification.
We indorSe such achievement as
the higheSt duty Of people to
perform. and proclaim the obliga-
ton of further strengthening the
bonds of friendship. and good will
with all the nations of the world.
Explicit Declaration.
In 1912 the republican platform
made a very explicit declaration
relating to an International court
Of justice. | quote from the party
covenant of faith:
derby developments at home, the re-
publican party earnestly favorS all
measures for the eSta blishment
and protection OF the peace OF the
world, and for tle development OF
closer relations between the Fari-
Gus nations of the earth. 1t be-
lieves most earnestly in peaceful
settlement of International dis
putes and in ths reference of all
controversies between nations to
an interna ttonal court of Justice
The next fUrmal and solemn
pledge was msde In 1916. quote
again:
The republican party believes
that a firm. consistent. and coura-
geous foreign policy, always main
tanned by republican presidents in
accordance with American tradi-
tions. is the best, as it is the only
true way 10 preserve peace and
restore to US our rightful place
among nations We believe in the
, peaceful settlement of interna-
tional disputes, and favor the
establishment of a world court for
that purpose.
Pledged to Meet Duty.
In 1920 the question of our for
eign relationship was very aRte.
The Senate had rejected the Yer
sailleS treaty and the league of
nations pact The convention
voiced it's approval of the reJec-
ton, but was unwilling to pledge
aloofness from the world. There
fore it said in its platform pro-
nouncement:
I'VE pledge the coming repub-
lican administratio to such agree
ments with other nations of the
world as shall meet the full duty
of America to civilization and hu-
do Nx-if n ari-
can ideals. without Surrendering
the right of the American people
to exercise it's judgment and its
power in favor of justice and
peace
AS a participant in the making
of some of these platforms and as
the banner-bearer of one campaign,
l have a right to believe they spoke
the party conscience so plainly that
it is not easy to misconstrue.
But there are other utterances
which it is seemly to recall. 1 al
lude to the Interpretation of the
platform by the candidate in 1920.
On August 28, 1920, speaking on
the league of nations proposal, ]
said frankly and very definitely l
did not favor the United States en-
tering the league of nations. 1t was
declared then that the issue. as de-
fined by the candidates, involved
tHe uiSpdIity pet"Ccii a WI III Soui
of justice. supplemented by world
association for conference, on the
one hand and the council of the
league on the other" Quoting
futher from the same address, I
said:
Commended Tribunal.
The one is a judicial tribunal to
be governed by fixed and definite
principles of law, administered
without passion or prejudice. The
other is an association of diplo-
mats and politicians. whose deter
limitations are sure to be Influenced
by considerations of eXpediency and
national selfishness. One a
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Mana. Tia,oe Ioe