THE WORLD COURT.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 April 1923, Page 5

THE WORLD COURT.

ATTITUDE OF AMERICA. NOT A STEP TO LEAGUE. ANSWER TO CRITICISM. By Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Copyright. Received April 29, 5.5 p.m. Washington, April 27. Mr. C. E. Hughes (Secretary of State), addressing the American Society of International Law, answered the Senate criticisms of President Harding's world court plan. He reiterated emphatically that the United States was no’, trying to enter the League of Nations, and he demonstrated that the League would be unable to control the court. Regarding the British Empire's six votes, Mr. Hughes stated it was practically impossible for the Empire, or any combination, to secure the election of judges in the aid of a particular political interest. The admission of th a various parts of the Empire had been in reeogntion of the aspirations of the peoples composing-them. This had not been found an insuperable obstacle to the support of the court by other Powers. He declared: “Whatever else we should have, we need at once a perma nent court of international justice. No (plan to promote peace can dispense with it. We shall make no progress to ward the prevention of war if we adopt a perfectionist policy.” Mr. Hughes’ address comprised an extraordinarily detailed legal argument proving that the court was purely judicial. What is regarded as a forecast of the ultimate bridging of the gap in the Republican party ranks, caused by the disagreement on the world court proposal, was made in a speech by Senator Watson, one of the most influential of the Republicans who have been against President Harding’s plan. At Pittsburgh Senator Watson declared that the differences over the court will be smoothed in the end. He, however, attacked the League bitterly.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.