WAR’S CAUSES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXVI, Issue 18757, 14 April 1923, Page 5

WAR’S CAUSES

EFFORT TO REMOVE THEM A UNITED STATES’ PROPOSAL Mr Hoover, presumably speaking for the Administration, urged efforts to eleminate the causes of war. His speech has caused a flutter in Washington, where various Senators have published their views. NEW YORK, April 12. Mr Hoover, addressing a convention of women at Des Moines, lowa, said that during the past two years the United States Government had applied itself vigorously to the task of advancing the organisation of the world for the elimination of the causes of war. The Washington -Conference was one step, and the proposal that the United States join the World Court of the League of Nations was another. The speaker intimated that the United States’ re jection of the League does not mean that the United States has lost interest in the search for a solution to end war, and that the Court has none of the faults which the League has. He pointed out that direct negotiations between nations over grave differences often lead to war but the Court offers a form of jurisdiction eradicating this danger. Mr Hoover declared that the Hague Arbitration Court has the demerit that it has settled disputes by comprom ise rather than by building up a principle for the permanent establisnment of international relations. The reference of a grave question by a statesman to such a Court would be a great relief to him, saving him from heated political opinions in hts own nation during direct negotiations. ’’The Court is a sound ana sure step, a minimum possible step in eliminating the causes of war. The Court does not lead the United States into foreign entanglements, and we do not subscribe to any compulsion, since no nation can summon us into that Court without our consent. The connection of the Court with the League is remote.” Mr Hoover expressed admiration for Senator Borah’s request that teeth be put into the Court, but said that "for reasons familiar to all, America is not yet ready to go thus far. War is too terrible to warrant any of us to be condemned as idealists if we can but build even a little to the road to peace.”

MUCH TALK IN WASHINGTON Received April 13, 10.30 p.m. WASHINGTON, April 13. Mr Hoover’s speech has caused an avalanche of dissension between various factions of the Republican party, while the Democrats stand aloof, feeling that they fought the League of Nations issue in 19 20, and their support for the League and Court are still strong. The Republicans divide into five classes (1) Those for the Court; (2) those utterly against it, such as Johnston; (3) Those undecided, such as Watson; (4) Those who think the Court insufficiently powerful, such as Pepper and Borah; (5) those who think the Court and League should both be entered by the United States with reservations such as Senator Lodge’s. There was much talk in Washington to-day among these groups, various senators issuing statements airing their views.