Evening star., 1923-02-25
PRESIDENT URGES
U. S. MEMBERSHIP
IN LEAGUE COURT

Continued from First Pa&e0
lations committe was called. to meet
Tuesday TO take up the Presidents
proposal but there seemed to be no
BILE in the four days remaining there
after before the present Congress
goes out OF existence.
So far as the merits of the pro-
posal were concerned, there was
general disinclination to comment.
Even the "irreconciIables" were un-
willing to openly declare war on the
plan. despite their private expressions
Of dissatisfaction. The republican or
ganization leaders, including Senator
Lodge Of Massachusetts,. chairman OF
the foreign relations committee. would
only say that they must give the sub
ject further study before announcing
what would be done. Among the dem
ocrats who had supported the league
there was q general disposition to in
ing. but they all stopped there and
asked for time to think 1t over.
Message Received Late.
1t was indicated that one factor
standing in the way OF an immediate
expression of Individual senatorial
opinion was the fact that the Presi-
dents message, having gone to the
Capitol late in the day. had not yet
received a careful reading even by the
leaders. II arrived at the Senate
chamber five minutes before the days
business was halted under a previ-
Gus unanimous consent agreement,
and so had to be read 10 the Senate
behind the closed doors of the brief
executive session held to consider
nominations before the Senate recess
ed until tomorrow.
A letter by Secretary Hughes ac-
companying the message was not read
to the Senate, no copies were distrib-
uted, and senator's had no opportunity
of learning his view except from the
newspapers. Arrangements were
made. however. for printing of the
papers and their distribution among
senators tomorrow.
Senator Robinson of Arkansas. act
ing democratic leader. was one of
sought by the administration. but
withheld comment on the specific
plan presented.
'I have thought ali along" said
Senator Robinson. that the United
States should have representation Oh
care to comment further until I have
had an opportunity to study the plan
submitted"
II was disclosed that Senator Lodge.
although he also declined to comment,
had been apprised Of the administra-
TONS intentions and had discussed
the matter several times with Secre-
tary Hughes. The leaders among the
republican "irreconcila bles," inc1ud-
ing Senators Borah of Idaho, La Fol-
lette of Wisconsin. Brandegee of Con-
necticut and Mccormick of Illinois.
hinted that they might have much 10
say within a day or two. Some dis
private conversation and declared
that such an important step in
American foreign relations could not
be taken, in any case, in the short
time remaining before the end of the
session.
In his letter accompanying the
Presidents message Secretary Hughes
recalled the traditional stand taken
by the United states for arbitration
of international disputes: pointed out
that Elihu Root advised with the
league representatives and others in
bringing the court into existence;
called attention that another distin-
guished American jurist, John Bas-
sett Moore, already has accepted
place as one of the judges on the new
tribunal. and declared that with the
reservations suggested the United
States could accept membership with
out deviating from recognized Amer
ican principles.
Separate From League.
THE court" Secretary Hughes wrote
- is an establishment sepa-
rate from the league. having dis
tinct legal status 1t Is organlIed,
and acts In accordance with judicial
standards and its decisions are not
controlled or subject TO review by the
league of nations
The process of entering the court
without going into the league coula
Secretary Hughes suggested. by sim,
pIv becoming a party to the protocoi
signed by the league members In De
cemher, 1920. formally putting tne
court plan into effect. Whether the
ut You'd agree to adherence by the
ITnited States with the reservations
nroposed did not appear in the COM
munications placed before the Senate'
but Il was assumed that tne aor.iln
question before formally ashllis ioi
Sccretary Hughes letter to the
President reviewed how the United
states had frequently acted as ar.
btrator between 0ther narotS Treaties s
in accord with The Hague conven-
tions, and frequently had declared
through Its responsible Spokesmen
and Nv resolutions OF Congress It's
adherence to the principle OF judicial
settlement of international disputes
.sFavored by Country"
"It is believed" Mr.. Hughes fur
thar wrote, that the preponderant
opinion in this country has not only
favored the policy Of judicial settle
ment Of tusticiable international dis
nutes through arbitral tribunals spe-
cially establi shed. but 1t has also
strongly desired that a permanent
court Of international justice should
he established and maintained.
Pointing out that the covenant of
the league Of nations provided for
organization Of such a court. Mr..
Hughes declared that this particular
provision did not enter into the sub
seouent controversy with respect to
narticipation by this government in
the league" He then recounted how
the league council proceeded to or
eanize the court in conjunction with
an advisory committee Of jurists OF
which Elihu Root was a member.
Final establishment Of the court
by a protocol signed on December 13.
1920, and It was to this protocol that
the President proposed the United
states now give its adherence, sub
iect to the four reservations suggest
ed The first election Of judges to
the court, Mr.. Hughes added, took
place in September, 1921. with the
result. that John Bassett Moore,
former counselor Of the State De-
partment, was chosen to one Of the
eleven places on the bench.