JUDGES FOR WORLD COURT

Taranaki Daily News, 7 November 1930, Page 9

JUDGES FOR WORLD COURT

FIFTY-FOUR CANDIDATES. NO NOMINEE FROM AMERICA. Fifty-four candidates for Judgeships of the [Permanent Court of International Justice had been nominated by thirty odd countries on August 1, when the nominating lists were originally intended to close. However,' in order to accommodate countries which have so far failed to send in nominations—notably the United 'States—-the League has agreed, it is said, to place upon the ballot any additional names received up to the day on which the Assembly opens i('Septem'ber 10), says the Manchester .Guardian. . The failure of .the American nominating group to advance a candidate, although seven American jurists have already 'been proposed by other countries, it is believed, may seriously jeopardise American chances of having a Judge On the Court. Reports reaching Geneva indicate that because of the hesitancy of the Washington Administration to take some action, on the Root Protocol for adhesion the nominating group was loath to suggest a candidate. Other reports state that the committee authorised to select an American candidate could not agree , upon a selection.’ Consequently, unless Washington makes known its preference among the seven candidates thus far advanced, there is a danger of the. votes being so divided that an American jurist may not 1 be among those receiving the requisite number of votes. ' The German candidate also. stands a chance of failing because of the hesitation of the Wilhelmstrasse. in making a choice. Three Germans have been nominated, among them Dr. von Simons, formerly head of the German Supreme Court, and Dr. Walther Schucking, a noted jurist. Officials are hoping that Germany will announce, unofficially, of course, a preference. Of the candidates registered those who are assured of election, unless their names are withdrawn are Sir Cecil Hurst (Great Britain), Mr. Mineitciro Adatchi, former .Japanese member of the League Council, who has been put ’forward to replace Mr. Yoduza Oda, the present Japanese Hague Court Judge; M. Henri Fromageot (France), and M. •Max Huber (Switzerland). With the exception of Mr. Adatchi, all these are up for re-election. Among the American candidates advanced are Mr. Frank B. Kellogg, Mr. Elihu Root, Mr. Roscoe Pound (Dean of the Law School of Harvard University), Mr. James Brown Scott (of the Carnegie Foundation), Mr. Charles Cheney. Hyde, Mr. George W. Wickersham (formerly Attorney-General), and Mr. John H. Wigmore., If the American nominating group does not suggest a candidate, it is 'believed that Air. James Brown Scott’s chances are the best. In the hope that the group ■will yet send in a list, and so clarify ■the situation before the election, officials of the League have appealed to ■members of the group to take action. The Spanish candidate, Senoi’-Manuel Gonzales Hontorio. who is expected to replace Senor Altamira, the present •Spanish Judge, is regarded as reasonably sure of election if Serior Altamira carries out hio present intention of withdrawing his name. The Cuban Minister to Madrid has solicited, and is said to have received, promises that Senor Antonio BuMamente, present member ,of the Court, will be supported. iA formidable opposition has grown up against Senor Bustamente, but the Latin American bloc, which hopes\to control seventeen votes in the Assembly, is said to be urtited upon Senor Bustamente and Senor Gustav Guerrero (Minister of Sin Salvador to (Paris and former member of the League Council) as two of the three South Americans whose .election will be sought.