Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-04-25

ference way 10 I,S1ce, which time Will
appraise as the supreme accomplish
ment.
Hardly had this gratifying work
been accomplished before the admin
istratiQn began it's endeavors for
further fulfillment. Meanwhile an
international court of justice had
been established.
Agency Of Peaceful Settlement
1T was an agency of peaceful set
Element which had long been sought.
It's establishment previously had fall
ed because no agreement had been
possible over the method of electing
judges. The existence of the League
of Nations offered a solution. Almost
all the member nations had signed
a protocol establishing the court. The
members Of the council, in which the
larger powers have permanent rep
"escntation, afforded one voting body
with veto on the members OF the
assembly consisting OF representa-
tiveS Of all the nations and member
nations Of the assembly could have
q veto on the larger powers repres-
ented In the. council. Here was
device for electing judges which re-
moved the heretofore unsuitable pro-
blem Of a satisfactory means OF sell
cct'ns them. Not the council but the
| nation n.embers thereof, must vote
in majority for the same candidates
for which members of the assembly
voted in majority, else the ell election
is v,id until a conference points the
way 20 agreement.
1.-THE court was established, and is
functioning. An American Judge
sits on the court. though we had no
part in choosing him. Under the
provision of it's establishment. the
United States can apply for a court
decision on any justifia bic question,
even as any nation participating in
it's esta blishment. Perhaps the court
is not all that some advocates of the
court plan would have it. but it is
in a large measure the fulfillment
of an aspiration we long have boast
cd. So l thought. and still think,
we ought to be party to the agree
ment, assume our part in its main
tenance and give to it the benefit
such influence as our size and
wealth and ideals may prove to be.
Would Want Say of Judges
"For mere eligibility to appeal to
the court nothing was needed. But
it didn't seem fair to seek its advan
tages without accepting all becom-
ing responsibilities and here devel-
oped the stumbling block. Natur-
ally we should wish to. participate
in selecting the judges, and the
electors designated were members
of the League. We had no thought
OF joining the league. we sought
none of its offerings and will accept
none of it's obligations.
The President could propose no
solution to the signatory powers,
because the world has witnessed in
disappointment the spectacle of the
a fiy-n Nd TO
dispOsing. 1t was not desira BILE to
make some proposal abroad that
could not be carried out: indeed
none would be considered and it was
not pleasing to think OF asking the
Senate's consent to a programme to
winch the nations concerned would
not agree. SO. very informally and
very discreetly, the situation was
felt out. over a considerable period
of time. and when satisfied that
there was an appropriate course of
action without connection with the
league, provided the Senate con-
scented, l proposed adherence to the
court protocol, and asked the SEN
ate's consent
Suitable Reservations
THE documents speak for them
selves. 1t was pointed out that no
rights under the league and no OBJ |
legations OF the league would be in |
CURED, but to make certain that we
would not be involved. the letter OF |
the Secretary of State suggested |
suitable reservations to afford am
pie guaranty.
This is the complete recital. 1t |
is in harmony with platform |
pledges. candidatorial promises. and, |
! believe. with American aspirations. |
the Senate's decision was hardly to |
be expected amid the enormous
pressure of business incident to the |
closing weeks of the short session.
But / felt that the Senate. the Coun-
try and the friendly nations whose !
counsel we had sought. were en-
titled to know that our gestures
abroad were sincere. and our own
people should know there are no
secrets about our purposes at home,
Oif'e they are maturCd.
'ENccssiNe friends of the league
have becloudcd the situation by
their nnwarrantod assumption that |
it is a move toward league member
ship. Let them disabusc their |
minds. because there is no such |
thought among us who must make |
our commitments abroad. And the !
situation is likewise beclouded by |
those who shudder excessively when !
the league is mentioned and who I,
assume ENHANCEMENT is unavoid- !
able. And ENHANCEMENT would |
first require assent of the Senate. !
which is scarcely to be apprehend- !
ed. and if by any chance the Senate |
approved of any ENHANCEMENT, the |
present administration would not
complete the ratification. If in spite |
of these statements. uttered With
full deliberation, there are excessive |
and unfounded hopes on the one
hand, or utterly upjustifable APP
prehensions on the other, l know of
no word fittingly to apply.
One Political Bugbear
"Frankly. there is one political
bugbear. When we discussed the
League of Nations and it's rule of
force. with its super powers through
a political council and assembly. l
myself contended as u senator for
equal voting power on the part of .
the United States with any nation
of the world. With her dominions
members of the league assembly, the |
British empire will have six votes in
that branch of the court electorate
but it has only one in the electorate |
of the council.
In view of the fact that no nation !
can have more than one judge, it is
a less formidable objection than when
applied to the league as super |
power. dealing with problems likely ;
to abridge n members national |
rights. L appraise the objection as !,
one who voted against this dispar- !
ity of power in the league assembly. !
but in appraisal now l do not hesi- !
tate to say that if other great pow !
ers can accept without fear the vot- !
ing strength of the British domin-
ions, when they are without ties o.