San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-02-25
SENATE Is SURPRISED
Suggests Reservations Re-
stricting Nations Re-
sponsibility.
SUGGESTED BY HUGHES
Little Chance That Propos-
al Will Be Considered
This Session.

Washington, ID. c., Feb. 24-Presi-
dent Harding today asked the Sen
ate to approve American participation
in the permanent court Of interna-
tional justice. .....
Tasting the Senate, occupied as it
was with the ship subsidy fiiibuster,
completely by surprise, Mr.. Harding
requested consent before the end Of
the present session TO ratification Of
the protocol of the international trib-
unal set up blythe League of Nations
to settle disputes between nations.
The move, the President said, wuS
at the suggestion of Secretary OF
State Hughes. .r...
Read Behind Closed Doors.
The PRESIDENTS message, with an
accompanying letter from Secretary
of State Hughes, was read TO the
Senate in an executive. session behind
closed doors and was referred TO the
foreign relations committee.
Apparently releasing this step
might revive the old league Of nations
fight, inasmuch as the court obtains
:
league covenant, which the Senate
failed to ratify, Mr.. Harding and
Hughes both stressed that senatorial
approval of the tribunals protocol
would not involve any legal relation
or assumption of obligation towards
the league. They expressed their
willingness to have this stated in one
of four reservations TO the ratifica-
ton Of the protocol.
At an early hour tonight it ap-
peared doubtful il administration
leaders could force action by the Sen
ate in the one week of the session
The general opinion
seemed to be that the full pledged
participation was one of too graf i'm
portance to be passed upon in such Il
short time.
IrrecOncilibles Ready TO Fight.
Some of the irreconcilibles in the
league fight indicated privately they
would oppose the request.
Senator Henry Cabot Lodge, lead
er of the fight against the league in
1919. is understood to have assured
the President of his support. The
foreign relations committee is ex-
pected to consider the matter Tues
day.
What has happened behind the
scenes in recent months to cause tine
President to take today'S step was not
revealed.
The court judges are elected by the
leagues council and assembly. I'M
officially in the interna-
tionaI court, Mr.. Harding and Mr..
Hughes stated it would be highly adj
visable for the United States to have
A voice in the judges election. This,
they =-Snitted, can be done only by
special American dele
gates to the league council and as
sembly for that purpose.
1t was this point that caused for
mer opponents of the league in thel
Senate to ponder. The United States
thus, technically, would have repre-
in both bodies of the
league. 1t is virtually certain that
he Senate will make it unmistakablyl
lear that these delegates can per-
'orm no. other functions. 1t may in
list in right to confirm thcm.
Text Of Reservations.
The text Of the reservation sug-
yested follows:
Il. That such adhesion shall not
,e taken TO involve any legal rela-
ions on the part of the United
States to the League of Nations or
he assumption of any obligations by |
he United States under the cove
lant of the League of Nations.
40. That the United States shall
,e permitted to participate through
designateS for the
purpose and upon an equality with
he other states members respective |
Y of the council and assembly Of
he League of Nations in any and |
III proceedings of either the council or
he assembly for the election of judges |
II deputy judges of the permanent
curt Of international justice, or for
he filling of vacancies.
IS. That the United States will pay |
fair share OF the expenses Of the |
ourt as determined and aFpropriat-
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