COURT OF NATIONS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 49, 27 February 1923, Page 5

COURT OF NATIONS.

FEELING IN THE STATES. PRESS SUPPORTS PRESIDENT. CONSIDERED DECISION URGED. (By Table.-Press Association.—Copyright.) NEW YORK, February 2C. Regarding Mr. \V. G. Harding's proposal that the United States shall join the Permanent Court of International Justice under the League of Nations, the Washington correspondent of the New \ork -Times"' states that the matter is regarded as too important to be decided within the short time remaining to the present Congress. There are too many long-deferred measures to be disposed of during the crowded hours of the closing session. Thus even friends of the Administration admit that it is hopeless to expect to have the project considered, especially since it concerns the League of Nations, the enemies of which in the Senate are still militant.

Sufficient evidence is not available to give an adequate indication of the sentiment of the Senate regarding the proposal. Enough is known, however, to predict that there will be a spirited contest whenever the proposal comes up for debate, which probably will be in December when the new Congress meets, unless a special session is called, which Mr. Harding has already declared is unlikely. FREE EXPRESSION OF VIEWS. Senators who oppose the League freely express their views. They declare that they are unable to grasp how Mr. Harding's proposal can be worked out without binding the United States to the League. They ask how can the United States be a member of the Court, which depends for its existence upon the League, and the decisions of which the League alone can enforce, and yet not be a member of the League ? They assert that Mr. Hughes' letter is silent on that point. Other Senators ask what benefit the Court offers above The Hague Arbitration Court established under the convention of 1907.

On the other hand it is evident that a number of Republicans who formerly opposed the League are likely to accept the President's proposal, but the Republican majority in the next Senate will be only 10, with the group led by Mr. La Foilette holding the balance of power. This group contains some of the bitterest opponents of the League, and some of the new members also are known to oppose the League. The suggestion is made in informed circles that Mr. Harding'e proposal was introduced at the last moment with the knowledge that it could not be approved in the present session, but with the desire to eive the people ample time to consider the measure during the Congressional recess. It is understood that Mr. Harding proposes to make a number of speeches throughout the country in the coming summer, and probably he wM make the advisability of the United States joining the Court the text of these addressee.

SUPPORT OF NEWSPAPERS. The American Press nearly universally approves Mr. Herring's proposal. The New York "Times" comments: "We are getting to essentials and it would be ungenerous and foolish to haggle over a mere matter of form. Mr. Harding is bowing to the inevitable. He is taking the first great step that counts." The New York "World" states: "Mr. Harding and Mr. Hughes are feebly kicking to grasp the inevitable, but better late than never. Mr. Harding'e proposal is sound and just.' . The Boston "Herald" says: "We should adopt the President's proposal. We cannot afford to stay out of the Court, and if there are risks we must accept them. -. The •Baltimore "Sun" says: "It Is humiliating that the Harding Administration should be willing to chare the fruits of international labours, after having refused to do any share of the work of making the fruits possible."

The Philadelphia "Ledger" declares: "Our entrance is not a matter of principle but of procedure. The United States has been committed to the principle for years, and the Administration has found a way of procedure."

The St. Louis "Globe" save: "It is ■rreatly to be hoped that the Senate will ;rive its consent immediately to this most important proposal." The Cleveland "Plain Dealer" comments: "The only trouble is that there is no convincing reason why we should not take our place in the League."—(A. and N.. Cable.) N

PAVING THE WAY.

BROADER U.S. FOREIGN POLICY

(Received 9.30 a.m.) VANCOUVER, February 26. A representative of the United Press at Washington was informed by one of the highest Government authorities that the Harding administration fully realises it is under a definite pledge to create an association of nations to take the place of the League of Xations, so far as America is concerned, and an effort will be made to accomplish such a step. While no definite plan has been worked out, President Hardine's proposal that the United States join the World Court is regarded as an effort to pave the way to a much broader foreign policy.— (United Service.)