The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-08-20

of the world, if it is to play Its part and perform its duty in international matters, must do so outside of member ship in the League of Nations.
 The position taken by the democratic platform upon the League of Nations is an invitation to again enter that fog of debate in a public referendum, for which there exists neither law nor procedure, which means that the pro- gram of the present administration of constructive action for the United States in it's foreign relations, becomes paralyzed in time of crisis in the worlds affairs, when action rather than debate is demanded in the interests of all civilization.
 In the United States, in regard to
 the question of foreign relations, gen.
 ersl public opinion seems to have
 settled upon two great fundamental
 principles: first, that whatever be
 our form of contact and conference
 with foreign nations, the independ- . eHlce and sOyeignty of the United
 States, with the right to determine
 its own course of action, must at
 all times, under all circumstances,
 not only be preserved by it, but recOg.
 niZod by all other nations; and sec-
 Ond--- that, with its sovereignty aI-
 ways unimpaired, the United States
 should undertake to meet it's inteFna-
 ti0nal duties unflinchingly, exhibit ing no moral cOwardice and weIeOm- ing, fin the interests of universal peace and progress, that contact with other nations by which alone reve. want facts can be fully developed and common sense methods adopted for adopted for the solution of questions
 Of common interest.
 With these. two great principles in mind, and taking things as they were. the present administration, under Presi- dent Harding and President Colidgoe, entered upon a constructive policy for the United States in it's international relations, which is giving our nation It's place ofsleadership in the betterment of the world.
 Naval Pact Cited.
 The four+pact naval treaty was the first great accomplishment of this pol- icy, insuring peace upon the Pacific, reducing the burdens of taxation upon the peoples by stopping competitive in- ereases Tn navies, and creating a pre- eedent for dealing with the question of international disarmament in the fu- ture.
 1t was in pursuance of this construc- tlye foreign policy also, when the Allies resolved to summon an expert commit tee-a course which Secretary Hughes had long before recommended-to pre- pare plan which might form a basis for the settlement of the reparations problem, that President Coolidge and Secretary Hughes approved the invita- tlon Of the Allis to Americans to assist In the work. They not only apDroyed thls call of the Allies from distressed Europe that Americans assist in its tune of great crisis, but gave specific ad- wee as to the men to be invited. thus giVlng them, in the eyes of Europe as they had in fact, the background of the Stars and Stripes and the American people. 'e''"
 Our opponents have referred to tbis as an act of cowardice. Upon what the ory was 1t an act of cowardice? If the Work Of that mission was not recognized as having been of some assistance. or if the experts plan had signally failed to offer anything of value to tbe world President Coolidge and Secretary Hughes would have been denounced as men who had humiliated their conn try instead of endeaving to put if in It's proper and helpful place with the fearlessness which should adorn strengthv and the Christian purnose which should glorify it? If the Presi- dent and the Secretary of State had evaded this duty and precipitated the question of official representation for debate, delay, and non-action. into tbe United States Senate, the United States would have had no part in the last desperate but successful effort to find common ground of agreement for q new peace in the world, if indeed, but for their action, there would have been any agreement at all.
 All Europe Peaceful.
 Had it not been for this attitude of President Coolidge and Secretary Hughes toward the expert committee, Europe might not today be facing away from the chaos and hatred of war. With the experts plan inaugurated, France, England, Germany, Italy, Bel gium, and all Europe turn toward a new and peaceful life, with hope and happiness, rather than despair, in their hearts and prosperity ahead. The
 RERoRTR AND TRAVEL