Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-04-16

Senator Johnson's opposition to the
Elihu Root plan for adherence to the
World Court by the United States is
dismissed lightly by most Of the news
papers discussing the subject. Many
observers think the Californian fails to
appreciate the character Of the World
,, Court.
"It must be very disagreeable for
Senator johnson to live in such small
minded and poor spirited world as he
pictures and to dwell with the constant
suspicion that every one outside OF the
United States is waiting for chance
to stick q knife in this country's back. "
says the Newark Evening News. That
attitude must be outgrown II this
country Is to become republic In mind
as well as In form"
THE trap which Senator Johnson's
keen eyes discern" according to the
Cleveland Plain Dealer, "is hidden In
the verbiage Of the final alternative
under the Root formula chat, as safe
guard, the United States may resign
without prejudice. He fears that the
United States, rather than resign, would
yield to major pressure and become In
effect, IL not In fact, member or the
League Of Nations. File, fie! Does the
Senator believe that there will be no
Johnsons and Borahs to prevent such
dreadful calamity? Even though pre-
ponderance of enlightened American
opinion may in the future favor par
ticipation in the League, there should
always be plenty of small American
guardian angels to forestal the con-
summation"
%** \
"The real foundation of Senator
Jo1nson.s objection" in the opinion OF
the Lynchburg News. 'tis that he opposes
entry into the World Court and sub
mission Of questions to arbitration by
that body because he fears that in some
particular case the court might decide
against the United States. His objec-
ton is not to the World Court, but to
arbitration. It amounts to the assertion
that in every disagreement between this
country and another the United States
must be the sole judge Of the facts.
. That means that in case OF DIFF
ference which cannot be settled by the
other nation backing down, the United
States must enforce its will by war.
But we have. signed treaty renouncing
war. That seems to leave Senator
johnson out on limb, which could be
borne with equanimity, but 1t also leaves
the United States out on limb, and
that isn't pleasant"
| ITO say that the United States has
lost nothing to date by remaining out
Of the court is to ignore public opinion
in this and other countries" declares
the Providence Bulletin. with the con-
clusion as to the controversy: "Presi-
dent Hoover has given tacit approval
to the Root plan for adherence. With
former Secretary of State Hughes sail
ing soon to take his seat on the inter-
national bench, the prospect that
American interests will be securely pro-
tected can be considered satisfactory"
The New York Evening World points
out that "the care which Senator
johnson takes to refer to the court as
the League of Nations Court goes far
to explain his hostility" The Louisville
Courier journal states: Senator john
son seeks to make bugbear OF ADVISORY
opinions. II he Is sincere in fearing
them, his only argument should be that
the United States should accept the
Root plan in order to allow this country
to protest against requests for such
opinions. which it could not do as q
non-mernber nation" The Asheville
Times feels sure that "there is not, as
Senator johnson fears, any danger that
| the American people would support
the court in case which plainly in
voived this Nation in dangers Of any
character"
I X X X X
The johnson fear of destruction OF
independence is treated satirically by
the Scranton Times, which suggests, as
| the Senator's idea, "a nation sufficient
unto itself; a nation claiming the
privilege to do precisely what It likes
without regard to the rights of others
THAT is q dangerous proposition" adds
| the Times. ours would become . sort
of buccaneer government inviting and
receiving and deserving the diStrust OF
civilized countries The Hartford
Courant AYERS that "the courts fairness
| Is the secret not only Of Its strength but
Of its very life
on the suggestion Of the I'm Alone 81
. type Of cases, the Chicago Daily New