THE PEACE OF THE WORLD.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 April 1923, Page 1

THE PEACE OF THE WORLD.

PIT ESIDENTIAL STATEMENT. UNITED STATES AND WORLD COURT. AUSTRALIAN AND X.Z. CAULK ASSOCIATION WASITIXOTOX, April 21. Pi-D-'-itloiiL Harding, speaking at newspaper publishers’ meeting, opene bis campaign for American adhesion t the World Court, by the service of noiire mi members of his own part who are opposing the proposal to wbic be i- irrevocably committed. In sel ting out, tile President referred I the various Republican campaigns am platforms >iine i!)ld, approving of ; peaceful settlement of iiiteruationa di-putes. lie also quoted his own Pro sidvnt j;.I eampaigii speeches, favourin' j tile creation of an International Assn tiaiion World Court, while disnpprov ing of the League of Nations. LEAGUE OF NATIONS. Continuing, President Harding sail that, in compliance with its pledges, the new Administration had delinitel\ and decisively put asitle all thought ol the United States entering the League of Nations. "It does not,” he said, “propose to enter by a side door, a | back door, or a cellar door. L have | no unseemly comment to offer on the | League. Tf its serving the Old World I will help fully, more power to it. Rut | it is not for us. The Senate has so j dei hired. The Executive lias so dej elared. Nothing could he more decisively stated with finality.” President Harding then referred to the Washington Arms Conference, declaring that the United States gave the world the example of a eonferoima wav to peace, which time will appraise as a supreme accomplishment. THE WORLD COURT. Referring to the establishment of a World Court, and the presence of an American Judge in it, President Harding declared: “Perhaps the Court is not all that some advocates of the Court plan would have. Hut it. is in a large measure the fulfilment of an aspiration that we have long boasted. ."-o 1 thought, and still think, wo ought to lie a party to the agreement, assume our part in its niainletiauce, and give to it the benefit of such influence as our size, wealth, and ideals may prove to he. "For a mere eligibility to appeal to the Court, noli.ing, ho said, was needed. It- did not seem fair to seek its advantages without accepting all becoming responsihilit ies. A STCMHIdNC-IiLOCK. "And here,” he added, "develops the stumbling-block. Naturally vve wish to participate in the selection of judges, and the electors' delegates are members of the League. We have had no thought of joining the League. We have sought none of its offerings, and will accept none of its obli-

gations. Tin' President said lie could propose no solution to signatory Powers, caiisi' tile world had witnessed \vi tlisappoiiitmeiiL the spectacle of t executive proposing and the Sent: disposing. It was not desirable make -ome proposal abroad that eon not lie earned out so very informal The situation was thought out over eoiisidet able period el' time, and wh he was satisfied that there was ; appropriate coin so of action, witlto • jimeet ion w ’tit tin L'eagu-:, pruvid the SenaC consented, he had pi posed adlieteitee to t,he Court proton and had asked the Senate’s con set: It was pointed mil that no rights obligations under the League won he incurred, hut.'to make certain tii the I'niioJ States would not he i volved. the Secretary of Stale's lelt silgge-'led Silitahle reservations, addling an ample guarantee. This was eomplete lecita! of its harmony ni his plat lot m pledge, his enndiihllori promise, and he believed, with Alltel ■an aspirations. (T.OCIMXC THE Ni'ITATIOX. "Lxeessivo i'ic-tii! of tin* Leagt hav e heclotui. il ti.e siLitat ion." i adduil, • T.v the liiiv. arranled as-um lion that ii i-. a move toward Ivagt inetnher.ship. Let them disabuse the minds. because there is no stu thought among us, who must trial ntr oiioiiiitnii'iits abroad. The situ: lion will likewise be clouded by thowho shudder exi.essivi-iy when il I online is meotioncl. and assume tin eolaiigb-ineo!/ is mnivoulable. An •ntaagienieiit would lir-l require i! Semite's a- eol. If. by any (linnet lie Senate approved any eolatlgli inent. the presi-riL Adininist ra' to would not ratify it. V POLITICAL P.rLJIKAIL ‘•l'T'aokly. there is one political bti<j iear. When we di'-eii-metl the Leagtt •I' Nations. 1 mysell conieoded, as -enator, for eiptal voting power o: lie foiled Slates' part with any n; ion of the world. With her doitlii mis members ni the League Assembly In' British Empire "ill have six vote n tint! branch of the Court electorate nit it has only one in the Council' ■lectern ie. As no nation can ltav lone than one judge, it is a less for uidable objection than when nppliet o the League a< a super-Power. pjtrat.se the obiection as one wht oted against this disparity of povve n the League Assembly, but in ajl raisal now I do not hesitate to hat if the other Croat Powers cat ceejit, without iear of the Hriti-l oil)injolts' voting strength, when thot re without lies of race, to mioioosi iteinational rivalries and suspicions e ought, in view ol our natural tie; ith Kiigli'lt-.sjteaking kiiishijt. to fee urselves free front ilangor. PLSIEECTIXC THE ( OEHT. • A perfeeted Court must be tt mat- • r ol deve!o|)meitt. I earnestly com lend it, because it is a great stef 1 the right direction toward a peace tl settlement of justifiable questions ml the eliminating of frictions write: >ad to war. A surer agency ol inter ational justice tiirougii tbe appliea ion of law can be hoped for in arbiration than in the inlluetieos and pro olices of men of expediency in poli ii-s. We can do vastly more to per .-et the Court in the capacity of at dliereiit than in an aloofness in whicl e arrogate to ourselves the right tt ay to the world, ‘We dictate, hit ever comjilvg 1 would yield none o: ttr right and none oi our nationality at would gladly give ol our inlinenri ml eo-operatiou to move turward am pward toward a world peace and : vigil of justice which is infinite!; tore secure in the rule ot nation;’ on our than in national or inter ational force. 1 have indulged it lie dream, and may be justified in t!v< ope. that of an encouraged and sus ainc-il Court might come tbe fulfil lent of larger aspirations in proof o s utility. From a spirit of eoncorc monc the nations might come that oluntary conference ot nations out o Tiieh could be expected a clarified odifted international law to furthei ssure peace under a law which woult ring the nations to that understand lg which is ever the first and best uarantor of peace.

COMMERCTA LIS.M. "President Harding declared tin'll ho had little patience with the contention of those lieliering that commercial advantages ivere attondablo by a larger assumption of world responsibility.” "The nations,” he said, “are not engaged in bartering trade advantages for larger fellowship. We do not do it ourselves, and need not ask :-m what we do not give. A restored Europe would add volumes to the world’s commerce. Our influence and helpfulness are ready when they will avail, but we cannot intrude where we ourselves would resist intrusion.” President Harding’s speech is regarded as one of the strongest made by any peace-time President.