LEAGUE OF NATIONS

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11454, 26 February 1923, Page 7

LEAGUE OF NATIONS

AMERICA’S ENTRY MEMBERSHIP OF LEAGUE PERMANENT COURT OF JUSTICE. IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT. Bv Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received February 2a, 11.15 p.m.) WASHINGTON, February 21. President Harding has sent a message to the Senate advising the United States to become an onicial member of the Permanent International Court of Justice of the league of N ations. President Harding asks the Senate to make reservations in the nation’s adherence to the membership of the Court protocol, namely, that adherance shall not involve the legal relation of the United States to the League, or the assumption of obligations under the League Covenant. The United Suites is to be given the right to participate in the election of judges, which is now accorded only to League members. The United States is to pay a fair share of the Court’s expenses. * The Statute of the Court, adjoined to the protocol, is not to be amended without the consent of the United States. President Harding expresses tho belief that the League will accept these reservations. PUBLIC IN FAVOUR. The text of the President’s message reads: ‘’There is established at The Hague the Permanent Court of International Justice for the trial and decision of international cases by a judicial method now effective through the ratification by tho signatpry powers of a special protocol. The Court is organised and functioning. “The United States is competent to be a suitor in the Court through a provision of the Statute creating it, but that relation is insufficient for a nation long committed to the peaceful settlement of international controversies. Our deliberate public opinion to-day overwhelmingly favours our full participation, and attending to our obligations of maintenance in the furtherance of its prestige. I for this reason, am now asking the consent of the Senate to our adhersion to the protocol. “FREE FOR OBLIGATIONS.” “I am attaching to this message a letter from Mr C. E. Hughes, Secretate of State, in which he presents the history of the establishment of the Court, and takes note of the objection of our adherence because the court’s organisation is under the auspices of the League of Nations, and indicates how, with certain reservations, we may fully adhere, participate, and remain free from any legal relation to the League, or the assumption of obligations under the Covenant of the League “There is one, phase of the matter not covered by Mr Hughes’s letter with which I choose frankly to acquaint the Senate. For a long period, indeed, ever since the International Conference on the Limitation of Armaments, consideration of plans whereunder we might adhere to tho protocol has been under way. We were unwilling to adhere unless we could participate in the selection of judges. We could not hope to participate, with American accord, if our adherence involved any legal relation to the League. There .is good reason to believe these conditions will be acceptable to the signatory Powers, though nothing definite can bo done until the United States' tenders its adherence, with these reservations. I cannot manifestly make this tender until Senate has spoken its approval. I therefore most earnestly urge your favourable advice and consent. 1 would rejoice if some action could be taken even during the short period remaining of the present session. QUICK ACTION ADVISED.

“It is not a new problem of international relations. It is wholly a question of accepting an established institution of high character, and making effective all the fine things' which nave been said by us favouring such an agency of advanced civilisation. It would b® well worth the while of the Senate to make such special effort as is becoming to record its approval. Such action would add to our consciousness of participation in the further advancement of international relationships, and remind the world anew that we are ready for our proper part in furthering peace and adding stability to world affairs.” Mr Hughes’s reservations were not specifically quoted in President Harding’s' message. They were appended thereto as an integral part. A STEP TO RECOGNITION. Despite President Harding’s insistence that adherence to the International Court shall not mean the leg3i relationship of the United States to the League, pro-League Senators here consider the step is the first recognition of the League, and, secondly, virtual adherence, accompanied by a verbal denial of such adherence. It is pointed out'that the two most important phases of the League are Article 10 and the Court of Justice, and if the United States wishes to enter the League with reservations regarding Article 10, she would be welcomed. Adherence to the Court means adherence to half of the actual and powerful instruments available to the League for the enforcement of - its principles. President Harding’s message is considered the most important positive announcement of international policy since the culling of the Armament Conference.

HARDING'S PROCEDURE. Later. It is pointed out that the United States would be represented on both the Council and the Assembly of the League of Nations, on a par with Powers signatory to the Covenant. Mr Hughes specifically mentions this in his elaboration of the second suggested reservation to the United States’ adherence to the protocol. He commends the admirable system provided for the selection of judges.

It is further remarked" that President Harding, in asking the Senators’ approval before the United States enters into any definite arrangement with the Powers signatory to the League Covenant, shows he has been impressed by the experiences of President AVilson, who negotiated first, and asked the Senate’s approval afterwards. SENATE TOO BUSY. Mr Hughes’s letter points out that Mr Eliliu Root, an American, drafted a. plan of the Court at tho instance ot the League of Nations, and John Bassett Moore, another American, is one of the judges, although nominated by Belgium. It seems doubtful that tho Senate, in the rush of the closing days of the present session, ending on March 4th, will have an opportunity to give the sanction which President Harding desires. Senators declare the matter requires careful consideration.