COURT OF NATIONS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 51, 1 March 1923, Page 5

COURT OF NATIONS.

U.S. LEADERS HESITANT. DELAY ABOUT DECISION. my Cable.- Press Association. — Copyright.'. NEW YORK, February 28. The Washington correspondent of the New York "Times'' states that it is expected that the Senate to-morrow will be obliged to vote on the question of •aking up the President's proposal that the' United States should join the Permanent Court of International Justice, since Mr. King will propose that his motion for the ratification of the protocol of the Court be called for consideration. Mr. H. C. Lodge, on the other hand, has asked that Mr. King's motion be referred to the Foreign Relations Committee.

The sentiment of the Senate will be tested in deciding between Mr. Lodge and Mr. King. It is considered most likely that Mr. Lodge's attitude will be approved, although the latter seems placed in a position of going contrary to the wishes of Mr. Harding, who asked the Senate to give its sanction of the proposal before the adjournment. The spokesman for Mr. Harding pointed out that criticism of the President for not presenting his proposal early was unjust, since he could not a_k the Senate to accept the Court with reservations until he had some indication that the nations signatory to the League of Nations Covenant approved those reservations. Inquiries to determine this consumed more than a year. The spokesman further indicated that Mr. Harding will not be disappointed if the present session does not adopt his proposal. In view of the fact that the Court is now operating, the United States' approval will be timely even if it occurs late in the year.

The Foreign Relations Committee adopted a motion by Mr. W. E. Borah requesting the President to declare whether he favours an agreement making it obligatory or. members of the Court to submit all questions which diplomacy cannot settle, and whether he deems it advisable first to ascertain the willingness of other Powers thus to bind themselves. Mr. Borah pointed out that if such an obligation existed to-day the Ruhr invasion would be considered by the tribunal.—(A. and N.Z. Cable.)

UNITED STATES INFLUENCE. STRAW FROM LAUSANNE. WASHINGTON, February'2B. An interesting fact concerning the Lausanne Conference was made known during the discussion in the Foreign Relation Committee to-day. A correspondent learns that it was revealed that Mr. R. W. Childs, the American oliserver, was offered the presidency of the conference, but before deciding he communicated with the State Department. The President and the Secretary of State decided that it would be unwise to have the American representative take such a prominent position. The incident was cited by senators an instance of the influence of the United Stares in European affairs.— (A. and N.Z. Cable.)