The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1923-03-08
ASKS U. s. TO Join
WORLD COURT
President Harding Urges Senate
to Assent in American
Participation
WILL REMAIN WHOLLY FREE
Tribunal Created BY League of Ma
tions, But Hughes Note Makes Res
ervations Calculated To Avoid In
Movements With Original Body.

Washington, d. C.-President Hard,
ing called upon the Senate to assent
to full American participation in the
permanent court OF international JUS
tice, created by the League of Nations
covenant
In message to the Senate, Mr..
Harding asked ratification at the
present session of the protocol estab-
fishing the court, with reservations
suggested by Secretary OF State
Hughes. These reservations, the
President said. would prevent the
United States becoming involved un-
der the league covenant.
The Presidents action came as a
complete surprise to many admins
tration leaders. Both the executive
and the secretary of state lauded the
work of the court, and stated that
popular opinion was overwhelmingly
in favor of this country's participation
in this tribunal designed to settle dis
putes Of an international character by
judicial methods.
The text of the message follows:
There has been established at The
Hague" said Mr. Harding, "a perma-
nent court of international justice for
the trial and decision of international
cases by judicial methods now effec-
tive through ratification by the sigma
tory powers of a special protocol IL
is organized and functioning The
United States is a competent suitor
in the court through provision of the
statute creating it, but that relation
is not sufficient for nation long COM
mitted to the peaceful settlement of
international controversies. Indeed,
our nation had a conspicuous place in
the advocacy of such an agency of
peace and international adjustment.
and our deliberate public opinion OF
today is overwhelmingly in favor of
our full participation, and the attend
ing obligations of maintenance and
the furtherance of its prestige 1t is
for this reason that l am now asking
for the consent of the Senate to our
adhesion to the protocol.
with this request I am sending to
the Senate a copy OF the letter ad-
dressed to me by the secretary of
state, in which he presents in detail
the history of the establishment of
the court, takes note OF the objection
to our adherence because of the
courts organization under the aus
pices OF the League of Nations and
it's relation thereto, and indicates
/ how, with certain reservations, we
may fully adhere and participate, and
remain wholly free from any legal re-
lation to the league or assumption of
obligation under the covenant of the
| league
81 forbear repeating the presenta-
tion made by the secretary of state.
but there is one phase of the matter
not covered in his letter with which
/ choose frankly to acquaint the Sen
ate. For long period indeed. ever
since the international conference on
the limitation Of armament, the con-
sideratOn Of plans which we might
adhere to the protocol has been under
way. We were unwilling to adhere
unless we could participate in the Sc
lection Of judges, we could not hope
to participate with an American ac-
cord if adherence involved any legal
relation TO the league These condi-
tions, there is good reason to believe,
will be acceptable TO the signatory
powers though nothing definitely can
be done until the United States ten
ders adhesion with these reserva-
tions Manifestly the executive can.
not make this tender until the Senate
has spoken its approval Therefore. I
most earnestly urge your favorable
advice and consent I would rejoice
If some action could be taken. even
in the short period which remains OF
the present session.
1T is not new problem in inter
national relationship; It is wholly a
question OF accepting an established
institution Of high character. and
making effective all the fine things
which have been said by us in favor
or such an agency Of advanced civh-
ization u would be well worth the
while Of the Senate TO make such spe-
cial effort as is becoming to record its
approval
"Such action would add to our own
consciousness Of participation in the
fortunate advancement of internation-
al relationship and remind the world
anew that we are ready for our prop
or part I'm furthering peace and add
ing to stability I'm world affairs"