LEAGUE OF NATIONS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18803, 5 March 1923, Page 5

LEAGUE OF NATIONS

THE WORLD COURT. QUESTION OF COMPULSORY" ARBITRATION. Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright WASHINGTON, March 2. Mr Hughes, Secretary of State, uas sent a letter to President Harding answering Senator Borah’s questions concerning the World Court. He declared that the Administration had no intention of attempting to negoiate a treaty with the Powers now participating in the Permanent Court of International Justice, which treaty would provide for compulsory arbitration agreements, because the Senate would not approve of such an action. Mr Hughes pointed out that out of the 46 nations which signed the protocol, 15 also approved of an optional clause for compulsory arbitration, but tins class does not include Britain, France, Japan, or Italy. Mr Hughes quoted several instances in the last 25 years in which the Senate rejected the idea of compulsory arbitration. Ho then declared : ‘Tf the Senate, or even the Foreign Relations Committee, would indicate that a different view was now entertained, yon might projierly consider the advisability of negotiating such agreements.” The Secretary of State reiterated the assurance that the Senate’s ratification of the protocol would not impose on the United States any other obligations under the Versailles Treaty or the League of Nations Covenant, thus answering the question whether the United States would bo bound to observe the Labour provisions in the League Covenant. Responding to inquiries as to whether there was any other national reservation in the protocol, Mr Hughes said he knew of none. President Harding sent Mr Hughes’s letter to the Senate, with a brief note stating that it had the President’s hearty approval. Senator Lodge said ho would not call a meeting of the Foreign Relations Committee, for further consideration of the question, ae it was manifestly impossible to obtain action.—A. and N.Z. Cable. THE. CUSTOMS QUESTION. AUSTRALIAN VIEWS SOUGHT. LONDON, March 2. In reference to the’League of Nations Conference on Customs the League is anxious that Australia should furnish a statement giving the views of her Customs authorities as well as those of business organisations, and that such expert views should be received by May 1 for submission to the Economic Committee at Genoa. —A. and N.Z. Cable. The Council of the League of Nations is convoking for October 15 an international conference to consider the simplification of the method of collect.ing_ Customs dues and the general application of Customs legislation. The United States, German, and Mexican chambers of commerce will be invited, in addition to the members. SENATE SHELVES PROPOSAL. WASHINGTON, March 5. (Received March 4, at 5.5 p.m.) The Senate refused to consider the World Court proposal this session, defeating Senator King's motion, which he introduced to-day. The voting was 49 to 42. All the Republicans but one voted against the motion, and three Democrats voted with the Republicans. The vote is not in any sense a test of Senatorial sentiment on the World Court proposal, but merely emphasises the Senators’ objection to discuss it within the few remaining hours of the session. Members oi tho Foreign Relations Committee privately voice great dissatisfaction over Mr Hughes’s letter concerting the World Court, declarin'? that the Administration has side-stepped the question by putting the responsibility on the Senate. It is understood that Senator Lodge is particularly annoyed, inasmuch as President Harding indicated that it would take weeks to answer the committee’s queries. Mr Hughes's unexpected and sudden response thus places the onus of delay on the committee, which it resents. It’ is understood that Senator Borah opposes the plan because it does not go far enough, while Senator Johnson flatly opposes any form of international tribunal. As each senator has support within the Foreign Relations Committee, the indications are that when President Harding’s proposal is eventually discussed there will be a hot fight both before and after it reaches the Senate.—A. and N.Z. Cable. [Senator King introduced a resolution in the Senate providing for the ratifica tion. of the World's Court Protocol with tlie four reservations submitted by Mr C, E. Hughes.]