AMERICA AND EUROPE.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17701, 1 March 1923, Page 7

AMERICA AND EUROPE.

PRESIDENT HARDING'S PROPOSAL. . ATTITUDE OF SENATE. (ST CABLE—PEEBS ASSOCIATION —COPYRIGHT.) (AUSTRALIAN AND N.2. CABLE ASSOCIATION.) WASHINGTON, February 27. In connexion with the proposal for the United States to join the Permanent Court of International Justice, the o ' Foreign Relations Committee of the Senate has virtually decided to postpone action on President Harding's suggestion until next session. No vote was taken, but Senators representing all views declared the consensus of opinion was that the matter could not be brought up in the Senate ill the few days remaining. The Foreign Relations Committee has instructed Senator H. C. Lodge to obtain a statement from tho Administration clearing up the following points regarding President Harding's proposal to join the Permanent Court of International Justice:— (1) Whether the Court is to be a Court in fact or merely an arbitration tribunal. ; (2) What reservation has been made by other nations ratifying the protocol! (3) Whether American adhesion would involve the United States under the labour clauses of the Treaty of Versailles. The Foreign Relations Committee adopted Senator W. E. Borah's resolu- , tion requesting President Harding to ! declare whether he favours an agreement making it obligatory that members of the Court shall submit to it all questions which diplomacy cannot settle, jnd whether he deems it advisable to first ascertain the 'willingness of the other Powers thus to bind themselves. 'Mr Borah pointed out that if such an obligation existed to-day, the Ruhr invasion would have been considered by this tribunal. (Received February 28th, 9.45 p.m.) NEW YORK, February 28. The "New York Times" Washington correspondent says it is expected that Senate to-morrow will be obliged to vote on the question of taking up President Harding's World Court proposal, since Senator King will make a motion that his resolution providing for ratification of the protocol will) be called for consideration. Senator Lodge on the other hand has asked that Senator King's resolution be referred to the Foreign Relations Committee. The sentiment of Senate will be tested in deciding between Mr Lodge and Mr King. It is considered likely that Senator Lodge's Attitude will be approved, although he sSSmsto be placed in the position of going contrary to the wishes of Presidnt Harding, who asked Senate to give its sanction to the proposal before adjournment. The spokesman for President Harding pointed out that criticism of the President for not presenting {the-proposal earlier was unjust,' since could not ask Senate to accept the Court protocol with' reservations until the nations signatory to the League of <Nations Covenant had approved those reservations. Enquiries determined, that this would consiimo more than a year. The spokesman further indicated that President Harding would not be.disappointed if the present session did not adopt the proposal, in view of the fact that the Court was now operating, and Senate approval would be timely even if' it occurred late in the year.

VOICE OF THE CHURCHES. INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE SUGGESTED.. WASHINGTON, February 27. At Washington the Federal Council of Churches, representing practically every denomination in America, called on the Government to take the initiative in calling-an international conference to consider the economic and political situation in Europe, including reparation, debts, and armaments, in the hope of prevailing on Europe to sign a treaty similar to those negotiated at the Washington Arms Conference. The Council urged the Government to renounce the policy of American aloofness in international affairs and to assume a full share ..of responsibility. CARNEGIE ENDOWMENT. NEW YORK, February 27. The Supreme Court has approved the certificate of incorporation of the Carnegie Endowment in Europe, an organised attempt to prevent all war and to establish a better, understanding among the generally, and to make the world a better place in which ito live. Senator Elihu Boot heads the ! list of prominent directors.