“The End of Isolation”

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 155, 27 March 1926, Page 15

“The End of Isolation”

United States and the World Court

“In practice America’s adhesion to the Court will mean that henceforward, so far as one of the most important of the League’s activities is concerned, she must be regarded as a full and effective member. From that to participation in the political field will be a big step, but those who believe in the League must also believe that in time the United States will gradually feel her way to identifying herself also with many of its political activities.” —‘‘Manchester Guardian.’’

- ' HANKFULNESS for small mercies is the feeling with which, ’ I ' in the other countries that have given adhesion to the Permanent I I Court of International Justice, it will be heard that the United J States Senate has, by a vote, 76 to 17, recorded its approval of judicial instrument for 'the peaceful settlement of disputes between nations,” says the “Scotsman.” “It is a great thing to know that, under whatever conditions and rescrvations, America has consented to withdraw from the position of isolation which political, rather than national, considerations—and not least, jealousy on the part of the Senate of the rights which the Constitution accords to it of being the controller of foreign policy—have induced the Republic to take up in a matter which it was the first to press on the notice of the world. “It is the first step that counts, and it will be hoped and believed that, having committed itself to the principle of a World Court of Justice, logic as well as self-interest, to say nothing of the love of peace and of justice that inspires the great American people, will compel them to go. farther.” , * Under the heading of “The End of Isolation,” the “Daily News” states “that it is good to see that America has ceased to halt between two opinions. She has at last mastered her fears, and definitely decided to enter the’World Court.” It is true that there are certain reservations, but these are likelyfto prove nuga-tory—-in actual practice. “They are merely comforting words for- the , timorous who have conjured up fearsome bogeys round every corner of the road of European cooperation. Nor,-indeed, need too much importance be attached to the rejection of any association with the League of Nations. “The bitter prejudices against President Wilson are gradually breaking down, and American adhesion to the League cannot be long delayed, though public opinion has by no means yet crystallised in its favour. In the meantime her entry into the World Court will materially increase its prestige and widen the boundaries of its jurisdiction.” “It probably requires no very keen insight into-futurity to sec a far more decisive rapprochement between America and the League at no distant period. After all, in such matters,-where pride and-prejudice are-so dominant, it is, as the French say, only the first step that is hard to take,” is the opinion of the “Liverpool Post.” ’ ' “In this context it is very interesting to note that the American Government has intimated to the League that it intends to register its international treaties with it. Moreover, America is to share in the work of the conference which is to prepare the way for the Disarmament Conference, in which the hopes of the whole world rest as a decisive step in a vital cause. ! “Can it any longer be maintained, in view of all these things, that .America, or, rather, the American Congress, is not moving in the direction of the League? It is a tardy movement, doubtless, but it should gather momentum henceforth.” “International misunderstandings are like ‘the flu.’ They come mysteriously. When they come, it is not singly, but in a epidemic. When they go, they leave a happy sense of relief behind them. To-day, in the relations of Brother Jonathan and John Bull there arc all the signs of a joyful convalescence.

There has been much sneezing. There have been cold shivers from time to time. But the temperature is steadying and the recovery sure,” says the Observer. “The ‘New York Times’ wrote, in a leading article, recently: “‘No one doubts that though their (the British) task is “hard enough,”i it will be accomplished. . . . There is nothing more deserving of our admiration the world around than their heroic, quiet struggle. “That is a generous saying. It may seem a little thing. The little .things often count for more than the big ones between nations as between individuals. The comprehending rvord of friendship travels far. Our friends cannot well guess the good it does. John Bull knows the odds, is not daunted and has no; doubts. But to know that others know them, and share his faith and wish him well —that is worth another shoulder to the wheel. “Our own insight and comprehension must not be less quick. America has taken a great decision. The vote which the Senate has given in favour of adhesion to the World Court settles, if it does not silence, a long and bitter national controversy. ‘The traditional policy of the United States, cried the implacable Mr, Hiram Johnson, as the last obstructions were swept away, ‘is about to be altered.’ But it is a changed world and the growth of the United States that have borne down the resistance of Mr. Johnson and his friends. Others can say, with him, that ‘it is a historic day in the annals of the Republic and the history of the Senate.’ “The meaning of last week’s declaration is not to be missed nor its importance belittled. We recognise that it has been carried in the teeth of genuine and passionate opposition. / We are aware that it is carefully guarded by reservations. But nothing need qualify the welcome we owe it.” “The enormous change, in the attitude of Washington towards Geneva in the past three years ought not to'be ignored,” writes Mr. H. Wilson Harris, in the “Daily News.” “A short summary of some of the chief examples of existing American co-operation with the League to-day is sufficient proof of that. bor instance: . “ (1) Jrma'wicuf J.—America will participate on the' same footing as every other State in the work of the Preparatory Commission for the disarmament conference. “ (2) Economic Conference. — Americans will sit on the same level as members of other States on the committee preparing for this conference. “ (3) Health.— An American—Surgeon-General Cummings— sits as member of the League’s Health Committee. “ (4) Women and Children—An American Government official, Miss Grace Abbott, is member of the League’s committee on this subject “ (5) Opium.—. America has sent a Government delegate to the Opium Commission for years. , “ (6) Codification of International Lazv.—A former Attorney-General of the United States, Mr. G. W. Wickersham, is a member of the committee dealing with this subject. “ (7) Intellectual Co-operation.—Professor Millikan, the well-known American scientist, sits on the C.1.C., as it is commonly called. "That list, quite incomplete as it is, shows that there are more ways of co-operating with the League .than by membership of its Council and Assembly.”