Judge Benjamin M. Cardozo, one of the outstanding American Jewish jurists and Chief Justice of the Court of Appeals of New York State, has been invited by President Coolidge to be one of the four American members of the International Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague, it was learned.
The invitation was extended to Judge Cardozo through Charles D. Hilles, Republican National Commitmeeman. The invitation is of particular significance in view of the fact that it was extended by the Reblican administration. notwith founding the fact that Judge Cardozo is a Democrat. At the recent elections Judge Cardozo’s candidacy for Chief Justice of the Court of Appeals was endorsed by both the Democratic and Republican parties in New York State.
The post on The Hague tribunal became vacant with the death of Oscar S. Straus. Judge Cardozo was strongly recommended for his post by Mr. Hilles. While no official announcement has been made, it was learned that the invitation had been extended prior to a formal step by the President and that Judge Cardozo has the invitation under consideration since July. The only question which is being considered by him is whether his acceptance of the appointment would be advisable in view of his duties as head of the New York Court of Appeals. He has asked for time to consider the ethical and legal aspects of the situation before submitting a reply.
Judge Cardozo is 57 years of age and is one of the ‘youngest men ever to hold the position of Chief Justice of the New York State Court of Appeals.
It was stated that President Coolidge is most anxious to name an American to the Tribunal as successor to the late Oscar S. Straus at the earliest possible moment because of a proposal which has been made for another Hague conference, the third to be called since the court came into existence.
The other American members of the tribunal are Elihu Root, Charles Evans Hughes and John Bassett Moore- professor of international law at Columbia University.
The metropolitan press welcomed the news of the invitation extended by President Coolidge to Judge Cardozo.
CARDOZO NAMED TO HAGUE COURT
“If the Hague Permanent Court of Arbitration is convened especially to undertake codification of international law, Judge Cardozo–should be find himself free to accept the President’s invitation-would prove a valuable addition to that distinguished body” states the New York Times. “Besides the rare intellectual equipment and superlative skill in interpretation and clear statement which have given him eminence amog American jurists he has had an experience which invites the wider application of his genius. In this State he was associated, as Chairman of the Committee on Plan and Scope, with an effort to re-examine the whole body of the law and to report from year to year the changes necessary.”
The World writes: “The news that Chief Judge Cardoze of the New York Court of Appeals has teen invited by President Colidge to represent this country at The Hague as one of our members of the International Court of Arbitration is gratifying for more than one reason. To be asked to act with Elihu Root, Charles E. Hughes and John Bassett Moore, succeeding Oscar S. Straus, is an honor well deserved by this distinguished jurist.”
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
