A court of justice has long been recognized by American statesmen as
the cornerstone of world peace. It is clear to anyone who thinks that
some provision must be made for the settlement of legal disputes. The
Hague Tribunal is not a court of law, but a court of arbitration, and
therefore cannot perform the tasks now under our consideration.
The Permanent Court of International Justice, popularly called the
World Court, is the kind of court required. It has been accepted by
47 nations. It, too, meets at The Hague. It is largely the creation
of American genius. Elihu Root is its father. It is the practically
universal judgment of the peace forces of America that our first step
towards peace should be to join the existing World Court and with
the Hughes reservations. The Hughes reservations protect us from
inadvertently joining the League before we are ready. We accept this
limitation. We will proceed one step at a time.
No substitute plan receives any support whatever, and for excellent
reasons. This specific proposal has the endorsement of President
Coolidge and of both the Republican and Democratic platforms. I
regard joining the World Court with the Hughes reservations as this
winter’s job (1924–1925). The Senate has had the measure before it in
committee nearly two years. Meanwhile the world drifts towards war. It
is reasonable to demand speedy action. We must all work to secure it
through our Senators.