Evening star., 1926-11-14
Coolidge and the Court.

President Coolidge's Armistice day
address merely restated formally his
determination to stand ~ the Senate
reservations to American adherence to
the World Court. Statements emanat-
ing from the White House press con-
ferences, when word first came to the
United States the foreign powers were
unwilling to accept reservation num-
ber five as 1t was drafted, gave ade-
quate warning that the Senate reser.
vations must be accepted If American
adherence was to be consummated.
/. The foreign powers did not heed
these warnings, which probably were
far more explicit through the chan
nels Of diplomacy. than they were
through those of the press. Express
sions Of surprise now at the attitude
Of the President regarding the Senate
reservations can only appear disin.
genuous.
The Presidents Armistice day utter.
ance is expected to bring replies from
the member nations Of the World
Court, replies for which this Govern
ment has been waiting for nine
months. The delay in passing upon
the American reservations and in
making exact reply has not been busi-
nesslike. If the member nations of the
court do not desire American partici-
patton in the court on the terms laid
down by the Senate. the least they
can do is to say so. An impression
has been created here that foreign ma
tions have fancied it might be pos
sible to trade with the United States
in this matter.
The American reservations are de-
signed to keep the United States from
becoming involved in the affairs of the
League of Nations, which might hap
pen through advisory opinions grant
ed by the World Court to the League.
The fifth reservation goes especially to
this point. One Of the chief criticisms
of American adherence to the court
has been based on the argument that
the court is the League court" a
mere legal department Of the League
of Nations. The attitude of the for
eign nations has been to give further
measure Of credibility to this argu.
ment
Americans have reached the con-
clusion that the League of Nations,
however beneficial it may be to the
nations Of Europe, is not for them.
They wish the League and Europe
we'll. But they fail to see how Amer
ica's injection into the affairs Of
Europe as member of the League
could be beneficial either to Europe or
TO the United States. If they can join
an international court Of justice which
is not involved with the League, they
will be glad to do so.
From the tone of foreign editorial
comment, President Coolidge's Armis-
tice day address has been interpreted
as merely another indication Of Amer
ican selfishness. The French press
sees in it demand for the payment
of the war debts, lacking entirely in
idealism. 1t does not appear to be
longer possible to mention money, or
indirectly to refer to debts, without
offending the sensibilities of some
Europeans. There is much talk
abroad about living up to all obliga.
tions, but comparatively little action
in connection with the obligations to
the United States. America filled
every obligation when it helped with
men and money to win the war,
America has scrupulously filled every
obligation since the armistice was
signed. The carping attitude of for
eigners who seek 10 dim by criticism
the ideals Of the republic is not helpful
and is becoming more and more dis
tasteful to Americans. President
Coolidge's address placed America
first. 1t will find an answering echo
in the hearts of his countrymen.