AMERICA AND THE LEAGUE.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17700, 28 February 1923, Page 9

AMERICA AND THE LEAGUE.

PRESIDENT HARDING'S

PROPOSAL.

ATTITUDE OP SENATE.

(by cable—PßE3S association—copybioht.) (AUSTRALIAN AND K.Z.' CABLE ASSOCIATION.)

WASHINGTON, February 26,

It is reported on the word of one of the highest Government " authorities that the Harding Administration fully realises that it is under a definite pledge to create an Association of Nations, taking the place of the Lea-pie of Nations, so far as America is concerned, and an effort will bo made to accomplish such a step.

"While no definite plan has been worked out, President Harding's proposal that the United States should join the Permanent Court of International Justice of the. League of Nations is regarded as an effort to pave the lypy f° r a much broader foreign policy. Senator King has introduced a resolution in the' Sonate, asking for a world conference to study the purposes of the military and naval expenditures by the various Powers.

Senator King has also introduced a resolution providing for ratification of the International Court Protocol, with the four reservations submitted by Mr C. E. Hughes.

(Received February 27th, 8.'60 p.m.) NEW YORK, February 26.

The Washington correspondent of the "New York Times" has been canvassing Senators in an attempt to determine their attitude in regard to America's joining the Permanent Court of International Justice. He says the Democrats generally support Mr Harding's proposal, while the Republicans either condemn it or give it a cautious endorsement or declare they prefer to defer comment. But more than ever, despite Senator King's resolution, it has become olear that there is not the slightest .chanoe that Senate will take action on the proposal during the present session. Opposition to the proposal intermixed with uncertainty is too marked to permit a vote before next Sunday, when Congress adjourns. The Demoorats all take their little fling at President Harding who, they say, is adopting a child of the League of Nations, The Republican leaders seem at sea as to what course to pursue, Their concern is whether they will, during the present month, take any position whatever on the subject knowing that most of the opposition u'ould come from the Republican ranks. There is a feeling, however, that the sanction of the senate would be obtained if the measure could be brought to a vote.