The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-06-22

close by ana were taken toward NEW
London, according to spectators OF
the accident on the Fenwick shore.
Spectators believe the lost vessel
was a Government craft, though
they were uncertain.
it has been consigned and turn our
thoughts to living things?
But let there be no misunder-
standing. / did not say three years
ago, and / do not say now, that
there is no element in the league
organization which might be utilized
advantageously in striving to es.
tablish helpful, practical co-opera-
ton among the nations of the earth.
On the contrary recognized gen.
orally then, and perceive more pre-
cisely now, rudiments of good in
both the league and The Hague
tribunal. Having marked the fun;
damental difference between a court
of international justice, which
espoused, and the council set up
by the league covenant. which !
disapproved. as "the difference be-
tween a government of laws and a
government of men, / said plainly
on August 90, 1920: II would take
and combine all that is good and
excise all that is bad from 10th
organizations"
That is exactly what am now
proposing to do. The abstract prin-
ciple of a world courtk found its
genesis in The Hague tribunal. The
concrete application Of that prin-
ciple has been made by the league.
Sound theory and admirable prac-
tice have been joined successfully.
The court itself is not only firmly
established but has clearly demon
strated its utility and efficiency.
Defends Court.
It is a true judicial tribunal. It's
composition is of the highest order.
None Lp.ter, none freer from selfish,
partisan, national, or racial preJu-
dices or influences could be obtained.
That, to the best of my information
and belief, Is a fact universally ad-
mitted and acclaimed. care not
whence the court came. insist only
that it's integrity its independence,
its complete and continuing freedom
be safeguarded absolutely.
The sole question is whether the
requirements which 1 have enumer-
ated as essential to adherence by the
United States can be met. My an
swer is that where there is.a unani-
nous will. a way can always be
found. / am not welded irrevocably
to any particular method. would
not assume for a moment that the
readjustment of the existing arrange
ment which appears to my mind as
feasible is the best, much less the
only. one. But, such as it is, / sub
NIT it, without excess of detail, as a
basis for consideration, discussion
and judgment
Granting the noteworthy excel
| lence, of which l, for one, am fully
convinced. of the court as now con-
stituted, why not proceed in the be.
lief that it may be made self-perpetu-
| ating? This could be done in one
of two ways, "a by empowering the
court itself to fill any vacancy arts.
| ing from the death Of member or
| retirement for whatever cause, with
out interpretation from any other
body; or (2) by continuing the exist
ing authority of the Permanent
Court Of Arbitration to nominate
| and by transferring the power to
elect from the council and assembly
of the league to the remaining mem
bers of the court Of Justice.
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
commission designated by the mem.
Der nations. Thus, incidentally,
would be averted the admitted un-
fairness of the present system,
which imposes a tax upon members
of the league who are not subscrib-
ers to the court.
Suggests Changes.
The exclusive privileges now held
by the league to seek advisory legal
guidance from the court might
either be abolished, or, more wisely
perhaps, be extended to any mem
Der group OF member nations. Thus
all would be served alike, subject
as now to determination by the
court itself of the kind of questions
upon which it would render iudg.
ments
The disparity in voting as be-
tween a unit nation and an aggre-
gated empire, which now maintains
in the assembly of the league, to
which many object, because of ap-
prehensions which ! do not share.
would, under this plan, disappear
automatically.
These observations are not to be
construed as suggesting changes in
the essential statute of the court,
| ~.