The World Court

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XIII, Issue 70, 6 March 1923, Page 5

The World Court

MR, HARDING'S ASPIRATION. PLEA FOR AMERICAN ADHERENCE. ALOOFNESS INCONCEIVABLE. ißj Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.) (Received 6, 11 a.m.) Washington, March 5President Harding, in a letter to Lieutenant-Governor Bloom, of Ohio, responding to a resolution of the Ohio Assembly commending the President’s world-court attitude, indicates that he will attempt to swing American public opinion in favour of such a step. Mr. Harding declared: “It is inconceivable to me that the American people, who have so long been devoted to this ideal, should refuse their adherence now to such a programme as is represented by this tribunal. I feel that the adhesion of out country to the programme for purposes of international justice would represent a long and important step towards the assumption of those proper and entirely safe relationships to international affairs should be borne by such a country as our own.”

The President stated that his request to the Senate was not made witnoul most thorough and mature deliberation. He declared: “Those who are at this time invested with the direction of the international relations of our country are firmly convinced that this move would not only represent a wise policy of qur own people, but would be emphatic testimony of our purpose to encourage every feasible project for establishing the rule of law as opposed to the rule of power in the world.” The President gave assurances there is no idea of the American Government surrendering in any ways its control over its own fundamental rights and destinies. He added:—

We may be sure differences will always arise among States and peoples precisely as they have always arisen between individuals, and just as courts of justice and equity haVe been set up to determine issues between individuals so it is proper and logical that provision should be made

for like adjudication on those differences between nations and peoples which may properly be committed to such determination. I look upon the establishment of the Court of International Justice, with the jurisdiction that has been given to it, as one of the greatest advances which the world and society have made toward a condition in which, at last, the rule of law may be substituted for that of force. Referring to the Court, the President: “It looks to a settlement of issues before they become dangerously acute. It contemplates the elimination of causes of conflict and war. Feeling thus. I cannot but believe our own country should’ be .among the most devoted adherents to such a programme.” —(A. and N.Z.)