George W. Wickersham Quotes
Probably no more extraordinary proposition ever was made by a President to the American people than that our Government should agree to submit questions of difference with other nations to a self-perpetuating judicial tribunal, and one in the selection of whose judges we had no voice.
The Senate refused to ratify.
George W. Wickersham, 1858–1936, Attorney General of the United States (Republican), President of the Council on Foreign Relations, Reference to President Harding submitting the U. S. agreement treaty for the Permanent Court of Arbitration at the Hague for ratification, “The Senate and Our Foreign Relations”, Foreign Affairs, December 1923
Sourced by: Eigen's Political and Historical Quotations
The Republican controlled Senate had turned down the ratification of the League of Nations presented by Democratic President Wilson, and looked like they would turn down any international treaty even if presented by a Republican President. This statement allowed the treaty ratification by only a few votes. However, after that the Senate turned down our participation in the Permanent Court of Arbitration at the Hague. See {640099}.
It is a huge surprise for modern Republicans to discover that the great Republican President, Theodore Roosevelt, advocated strengthening the power of the World Court. 21st century Most Republicans consider this court and other international tribunals to be infringements on American sovereignty, and politicians who agree with Roosevelt as traitors.
Lodge was particularly concerned that under the proposed treaty the United States would be obligated to support the League of Nations military efforts regardless of American public opinion or Congressional action.
- Born: September 19, 1858
- Died: January 25, 1936
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George Woodward Wickersham was an American lawyer and Attorney General of the United States in the administration of President William H. Taft. He returned to government to serve in appointed positions under both Republican and Democratic administrations, for Woodrow Wilson, Herbert Hoover and Franklin D. Roosevelt. He was President of the Council on Foreign Relations for the latter.
