About Face

It was with a proud finger that the Administration pointed to a Senate which adopted/- a resolution for U. S. entrance into the World Court. Reservations were attached. Nevertheless, all good nations were expected to be pleased at having the U. S. in the World Court under any conditions. Seven months passed. Liberia, Cuba, Greece, Uruguay opened their arms, welcomed the U. S. into the brotherhood. Other nations remained cool, indifferent. Meanwhile, at home, Senators began to find that their constituents were not pleased with the votes they had cast for the World Court. In April, Senator William B. McKinley was defeated for renomination in the Illinois primaries ostensibly because he had voted for the World Court. Now, in California and Wisconsin, Senators Shortridge and Lenroot are having trouble in the primary campaigns for the same reason. Out in Idaho, where Senator William Edgar Borah is master, few men can back the World Court and remain politically potent. Frank R. Gooding, 59, junior Senator from Idaho, had the precocity to vote for U. S. entrance. Last week he reversed his international policy, was renominated by the Republican convention* for Senator. Said he: "I hoped this Court would be a factor in the peace of the world, but if I had that vote to cast over again, I would vote against any Court that is a party to the League of Nations." Most significant of all is the case of Senator Park Trammell of Florida, Democrat. He announced last week not only that he had changed his mind, but also that he would start a movement in the next session of Congress to have the U. S. withdraw its resolution for entrance into the World Court. Said he: "I feel that it is more apparent now than it was when the question was before the Senate that the people of other nations--not necessarily the Governments but the people--are most unfriendly in their attitude toward our country. Since that spirit prevails, I don't see that any good can come out of our belonging to the World Court."

/- On Jan. 27, 1926, by a vote of 76 to 17.

* In Idaho the convention instead of the direct primary is still used.