LEAGUE OF NATIONS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 48, 26 February 1923, Page 5

LEAGUE OF NATIONS.

UNITED STATES ATTITUDE. MEMBERSHIP RESERVATIONS. THE PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE. '"B. r '"al' r. Vri-** A«-*'viaiifii '-<>|iyrlishtj NRW YORK. February ->n. The I , resident, Mr. Warren C. Harding, ba« addressed a message u> the Senate advising ihe I'niterl Stales in become an official member uf the IVnnaiiotit Court of International -lueti'-e of ihe League of Nations. He asks the Senate lo make reservations in it* adhcrcme to tjie protocol of membership of ; he Court, namely: That siii-ii adherence shall nut imolve any legal relation of tlie I'nited states to the League of Nations or the assumption of obligation? under the i oveiiailt nf tho League of Nations. That the I'ntted State* be sivon the right to participate in (lie eleftioii of judges, which i« now Accorded only to member? of tlie league, tin- I'nited States agreeing to pay n fair share of rhc Court's expense*. That (lie statute of the ( otirt subjoined tii the protocol «hall not We amended without, the conspnt uf the Inked States. MERELY MORAL OBLIGATIONS. Mr. Herding expresses hi* belief that the league will accept these reservations. In the course of his message Mr. Haniing states: 'There has been established at The Hajjue a Permanent Court nf International .lustice for the trial and decision of international causes by .judicial methods, and is now effective through the ratification by the signatory Powers of the special protocol, and the Court is organised and functioning. The Cnited States is a competent suitor in the Court through a provision of the stettite creating it. but that relation is insufficient for a nation long committed to the peaceful settlement of international controversies. Our deliberate public opinion to-day overwhelmingly favours our full participation in the Court and our assumption of attending obligations for the maintenance and furtherance of its prestige. 'For this reason ] am now asking the consent of the Senate to our adherence to the protocol. I am attaching to this message a letter from Mr. C. E. Hughes, in which he presents the history of the establishment of the Court. Mr." Hughes takes note of the objection to our adherence because the Court's organisation is under the auspices of ■the League of Nations and indicates how with certain reservations we may fully adhere and participate, and yet remain free from any legal relation to the League or assumption of obligations under the Covenant of the League. ACCEPTANCE URGED. There is one phase of the matter not covered by Mr. Hughes" letter with which I choose frankly to acquaint the Senate. For ft. long period, indeed ever since the international conference on the limitation of armaments, consideration of plans whereby we might adhere to the protocol of the Court has been under way. We were unwilling to adhere unless we could participate in the selection of judges, and we could not hope to participate with American accord if adherence involved any legal relation to the League. There is good reason to believe that these conditions will be acceptable to the signatory Powers, though nothing definite can be" done until the United States tenders its adherence with these reservation's. "Manifestly I cannot make thin tender until the Senate has spoken its approval. 1 therefore most earnestly urge your favourable advice and consent. I would rejoice if some action could be taken even in the short period roraaiuing of the present session. It is not a new problem of international relations: it is wholly a question of accepting an established institution of high character and making effective all the fine things which have been said by us in favour of such an agency of advanced civilisation. It would be well worth the while of the Senate to make euch special effort as is becoming to record its approval. Such action would add to our consciousness of participation in the fortunate advancement of international relationship and would remind the world anew that we are ready for our proper part in furthering peace 'ant! adding stability to world affairs." The text of the reservations proposed by Mr. C. K. Hughes, which were not specifically quoted in the President's message, were appended thereto as an integral part. THE SENATORIAL FEELING. Despite Mr. Harding's insistence that adherence to the Court will not mean legal relationship between the United States and the League. Senators who .favour the League consider the step to be.: Firstly, recognition of the League, and , secondly, virtual adherence, accompanied by verbal denial of such adherence. (t is pointed nut that the two most. important phases of the, League are Article 10 and the Court of International Justice, and since, if the I'nited States wishes to enter tlie league with reservations to Article 10. she would be wel corned, her adherence to the Court would mean her adherence to half the League and to the actual and powerful instruments available to the League for the enforcement of its principles. Mr. Harding'* message is considered to be the most important positive announcement of international policy since the calling of the armaments conference. It is pointed out. that the I'nited Slates would be represented in both tne Council and Assembly of the League of Nations, on a par witl> the Powers signatory to the Covenant, although solely for the purpose of the selection of Court just ices. It is further remarked that Mr. Harding, by asking the Senate's approval before the I'nited States enters into any t'pfinite arrangement with the Powers signatory to the League Covenant, shows that he has been impressed by tlie experiences of Mr. Wilson, who negoti »ted first and anted the Senate's approval afterward*. Mr. Hughes, in liis letter, points f.uf that Mr. Elihu Boot, an American, drafted the plan of the Court at the instance of the League of Nations, and Mr. John Bassctt Moore, another American, is one of the judges, although nominated by Belgium. Tt seems doubtful that tlie Senate, in the rush of the closing days of tie present session, which end~ on March 4. will have an opportunity to give tlie sanction which Mr. Hardinsr (ftsire* Senators declare that the matter requires rareful consideration.— (A. and X-Z-)