THE WORLD COURT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17028, 30 April 1923, Page 4

THE WORLD COURT.

PRESIDENT HARDING’S PLAN. By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. WASHINGTON, April 28Mr C. E. Hughes, Secretary of State, addressing the American Soeiet\ of International Law. answered the Senate criticisms of President Hard ing's World Court plan. He reiterated emphatically that the United States was not trying to enter the League of Nations. He demonstrated that the League would be unable f<» control thp Court. Regarding the British Empire’s six votes, Mr Hughestated that it was practically impossible for the Empire, or any combination. to secure the election of Judges in aid of a particular political interest. The admission of the various ports ot the British Empire had been in recognition of the aspirations of the peoples composing them. This had not been found an insuperable obstacle to the other Powers’ support of the Court. Ht declared *. “ Whatever else we should have, we need at once a permanent Court of International Justice. No plan to promote peace can dispense with it. W r shall make no progress toward the ureyer + >on • 1 wer ii w*> adopt a perfectionist- policy. Mr Hughes's address comprised 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 disagreement on the "World Court proposal, was made in a speech by Senator Watsou. one of the most influential of the Republicans who have been against President Harding’s plan. At Pittsburg Senator Watson declared that the differences over the Court will be smoothed in the end. He. however, attacked the League bitterly.