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Show 4 . . THE CITIZEN court the League of Nations through the World's Court. It is as larged upon or probably there would be an independent the organized, but it was never intended at this time that of surely a deception as it is a fact that the World's Court is a department of the League of Nations. It is only a repetition of World's Court would have any relationship to the League Nations. With this understanding there was very little objec- the old argument that to cut a dog's tail off inch at a time will tion to a plank in the Republican platform declaring in favor not be so noticeable and painful as to amputate the member enof a World's Court at the time President Coolidge was nomi- tirely by a single operation. I cannot understand how senators who campaigned so vignated. But we find that the organization of the World's Court as it now exists differs widely from the original understanding orously against Woodrow Wilson's plan for peace can now openly vote to take us into the League of Nations through the that the people of the United States had. It was begun in this manner: The Secretary General of the League of Nations in- kitchen door after we have refused to enter its open portals. As vited certain jurists of" the world to meet and organize the much as I am opposed to the League of Nations I had rather see World's Court and among these Mr. Root of the United States the United States accept the invitation and sit in the vacant was invited, and these words were used by the Secretary in this chair at the council table, which has looked so conspicuously orlonesome since the organization of the League of Nations. invitation, The Court is to be the most essential part of the which Le me reduce this argument to a simple question: Is it ganization of the League of Nations." This was the plan better for the United States to be an appointee of the executive these jurists accepted when they became members of the board of the League of Nations than to be a member of this ex In the discussion of the organization of the World's Court, ecutive board and hold the appointive power, I contend thats M. Borgeois, the French representative, said, The Court must is better, safer and more in keeping with the dignity of a great have at hand a political organization, first, to supply it with the nation, to be the executive rather than the appointee. According to all the intelligence and reasoning ability law which it is to apply, and second, to give it the necessary auwhich I possess, any person who is sincerely opposed to the thority and if need be, sanction. Similarly, the League itself must have at hand a court of law for the administration and in- League of Nations must by the same reasoning be opposed to of the World's Court. And here let me add that I am opposed to terpretation of its laws and regulations. The political phase the League will be as dependent upon the League as the League both and to all other entangling European alliances. I contend that for the perpetuity of our independence we must adhere phase is upon the political." It was then clearly understood that this court of interna- strictly to this policy and as such an independent nation we will tional justice should be a department of the League of Nations. wield a greater influence in the world for peace than we posThese jurists who provided the organization of the World's sibly could do fettered by all the petty quarrels and selfish grievances of European nations who can not understand the Court understood and performed well this duty. It is generally supposed that nations, as such, will have same principles of justice, fairness and charity, as are guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States. representation in the World's Court. This, however, is not the If I were inclined to be superstitious I would say that God case. The jurists are to function in office, so to speak, as A man without a nation." No nation, as such, will have represen- himself is opposed to this plan since the heavy hand of death tation in the court. They are chosen by the council from the seems to be laid upon those who have led the United States in world and notwithstanding the fact that the United Sates might the direction of the League of Nations. No I will not call it sutoday have one of its citizens chosen as a member of he World's perstition. Since this is a college of the Church of Jesus Christ of Court, there is no such guarantee and even though one of the Saints, I shall take it for granted that we believe citizens of the United States is a judge in the court he does not Latter-da- y serve as a representative of his government. We can therefore the promises of God contained in the Book of Mormon. I quote easily imagine that the time will come when there will not be an from Second Nephi, 10 Chapter, 10 to 14 verses, inclusive : 10: But behold, this land, said God, shall be a land of American serving as a judge of the court of international justice, notwithstanding we have approved the protocol, and then thine inheritance and the Gentiles shall be blessed upon the under present conditions we would be found by the decisions of land. 11 : And this land shall be a land of liberty unto the Gena court where there is not a voice of an American and these detiles and there shall be no kings upon the land, who shall raise cisions would be inforced by the League of Nations, an organization in which we have no voice, no vote and no membership. up unto the Gentiles. 12 : And I will fortify this land against all other nations. With all the love and respect born in me for my native 13: And he that fights against Zion shall perish, saith country, I revolt against the idea of being governed without a God. voice and a vote in the government. Such a thing is diametri14 : For he that raiseth up a king against me shall perish, cally opposed to the fundamental principles of the constitution of the United States. Here and now I want to admit that I am for I, the Lord, the King of Heaven, will be their King, and I proud of the fact that I am an American and not an interna- will be a light unto them forever, that hear my words. He that would take us into the League of Nations for our tionalist. e Dr. James Brown Scott, who accompanied Mr. Root as a safety must doubt these words of God. And he who alliances with kings, in my judgement violates these comcounselor and advisor while he was serving on this committee to organize the World's Court, said after he returned home, mandments of God. Nobody could be a truer American and The Court is an agent of the League and, therefore, connected more firmly opposed to entangling European alliances than with it!" Nephi, who has thus recorded the word of God unto this genWithout going further into a discussion of authorities upon eration. I believe the doctrine here recorded to be the most this point I take it for granted that all will admit that the loyal Americanism ever written and surely nobody in this World's Court is only a department of the League of Nations. Church school will contend against it. The only Senator we have in the United States Senate toIf anything more is necessary to convince one of this truth I need only add that the solo authority for advisory opinions and day who even approaches the loyal Americanism above dethe sole authority to call for them arc in the covenant of the scribed is Senator W. E. Borah of Idaho. Written by LaRue Seegmiller for the L. D. S. Business League. The council of the League of Nations appoints the ') eleven judges. and four alternate judges of the World's Court. College. It also pays them their salaries. It calls for their advisory Four great railroads went through the year without having opinion and the League of Nations inforces the court's decrees. I contend that if these facts had been put before the conven- a single passenger killed in a train accident. There can be no tion which nominated Coolidge the platform there adopted questioning the fact that travel by rail has been made remark- would not have contained the World Court plank to take us into ablv safe. com-mitte- e. wo-mak- -- . |