New Britain herald., 1923-06-22
HARDING IS ANXIOUS TO HAVE U.S..
JOIN INTERNATIONAL WORLD COURT

"FiFst, that the tribunal be 50 cen
slltuled as 20 appear and % be, IN
theory and practice, in fern and IN
substance, beyond the shadow ef
doubt. = geFld court sRd not a league
eeuFt,
second, that the United states shall
occupy a place % perfect equality
with every other power"
ElahsFating upon his pronounce
meht that the court must not be q
league eeuFt, the executive asserted
that the country hal an opportunity
10 indicate its desire 20 iain the league
in 1899 and il most emRhatieaily re-
fused" AMI ~ would refuse again, no
less deelsisely today
There has been no change Of zen.
ditien," he added with respect 10 the
league issue. 1T Is the same league,
Net a line IN the rejected enysnan,
has been altered, not a phrase medi-
fed, not a word omitted or added,
Article y still stands as the heart OF
the compact Article VI and all other
sfipulatiens objected % and condemn
ed BY the American people remain
untouched. In full force In theory,
however eireumspeetly they are being
Ignored In practice,
In the face Of the overwhelming
verdict Of 1890. therefore. the issue
OF the League Of Nations is as dead
as slavery. Il II not the part OF wis.
dom and common sense 10 let IL rest
In the deep grave 10 which I, has been
consigned, and turn our thoughts 10
living things7"
Recognizes Good
Mr., Harding said he recognized ru-
dtments OF good In the league organi-
zation. however, and repeated his de-
OF 1890 that he hoped 10
take and combine all tina, is good
and excise all that IL bad" from the
league and the Hague tribunal,
The abstract principle Of a world
court found its genesis in the Hague
tribunal" he continued. The con.
crete application OF that principle has
been made by the league. Sound
theory and admirable practice have
been Joined successfully. The court
itself Is not only firmly established
but has clearly demonstrated its util-
lily and efficiency.
1T is a true judicial tribunal. It's
composition is OF the highest order.
None better. none freer, from selfish,
pa rtisan,, national, or racial prejudices
or Influences could be obtained. That.
TO the best of my information and be-
lief, is a fact universally admitted and
care not whence the
court came I insist only that its in
tegrity, its independence. its complete
ed absolutely.
The sole question is whether the
which I have enumerat
ed as essential TO adherence by the
United States can be met. My an
swer is that where there is unani-
nous will, way can always be found.
| am not welded irrevocably to any
particular method. I would not as
sumo for a moment that the readjust
nent OF the existing arrangement
which appears to my mind as feasible
IS the best. much less the only, one,
But such as 1t is, submit it. without
excess of detail. as a basis for con
sideration. discussion and Judgment"
Inc president tH6H pISseHtcu Ilis
proposal for a self-perpetuating court
and added: .
THE fixing of compensation OF the
Judges, the supervision of expendi- !
ures. the apportionment of contribu- |!
ions, etc, could also be transferred |
rom the league to either the court of |
arbitration or commission designat |
ID by the member nations. Thus, In
,identally. would be averted the ad
nitted unfairness of the present sys-
EN-, which imposes tax upon mem
,ers Of the league who are not sub
cribers to the court
1.-THE exclusive privilege now held
~ the league to seek advisory legal |
Guidance from the court might either
,e abolished, or, more wisely perhaps,
,e extended to any member or group |
# member nations. Thus all would
,e served alike. subject as now to de-
ermination by the court itself Of the