The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1923-02-26
MEMBERSHIP
IN COURTS
, HARDING PLEA
CONTINUED from Page ~

the court was favored in admins
tration quarters, the presidents
message came as complete sur
prise to senators generally and all
indications pointed to a delay in
senate action on the recommended
ton until the session of congress
which meets in December.
Among the leaders of the cir
reconcilables" of the League Of Ma
tons fight, in particular, there
were predictions that nothing would
be done until time had been given
for mature reflection and compre-
hensive debate.
A special meeting of the foreign
relations committee was called to
| meet Tuesday to take up the presi-
dents proposal, but there seemed
to be no hope that final action
would be possible in the four days
remaining thereafter before the
present congress goes out of exist
encc.
Want to Think il Over
SO far as the merits Of the pro-
posal was concerned, there was a
general Discrimination of comment. .
Even the "irreconcilables" were I'M
willing to openly declare war on
the plan, despite their private ex-
pressions of dissatisfaction. The
Republican organization leaders, in
Guiding Senator Lodge of Massa-
chusetts, chairman of the foreign
relations committee, would only say
that they must give the subject
further study before announcing
what would be done. Among the
Democrats who had supported the
league there was a general dispo-
sition to indorse the objects sought
by Mr.. Harding, but they all stop
ped there and asked for time to
think it over.
1t was indicated that one factor
standing in the way of an immedi
ate expression of dividual sena-
toral opinion was the fact that the
presidents message, having gone to
the capitol late in the day, had not
yet received careful reading even
by the leaders. 1t arrived at the
senate chamber five minutes before
the days business was halted under
under previous unanimous consent
agreement, and so had to be read
to the senate behind the closed
doors to the brief executive session
held to consider nominations be-
fore the senate recessed until Mon
day.
Hughes Sends Letter
A letter by Secretary Hughes ac-
companying the message was not
read to the senate, no copies were
distributed, and senators had no DIP
portunity of learning his views ex-
cept from the newspapers. Ar
rangementss were made, however,
for printing of the papers and their
distribution among senator's Mon
day.
Senator Robinson of Arkansas,
acting Democratic leader, was one
of those who approved the purpose
sought by The administration, but
withheld comment on the specific
plan presented.
1t was disclosed that Senator
Lodge, although he also declined to
comment, had been appraised of the
administration intentions and had
discussed the matter several times
with Secretary Hughes. The lead
ers among the Republican dir
reconcilables," including Senator'S
Borah of Idaho, La Toilette of Wis
consin, Brandegree of Connecticut,
Mccormick of Illinois, limited that
they might have much to say with
in a day or two. Some disclosed
plain evidences of hostility in pri-
vate conversation and declared that
such an important step in Ameri-
car 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 dis
putes, pointed out that Elihu Root
advised with the league representa-
tives and others in bringing the
court into existence, called atten-
ton that another distinguished
American jurist, John Basset.
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 member
ship without deviating from recog-
nized American principles.
The presidents message follows:
Presidents Message
"There has been established at
the Hague permanent court of
international justice for the trial
and decision Of international causes
by judicial methods, now effective
through the ratification by the sig
natory powers of special protocol
1t is organized and functioning. The
United States is competent sutton
in the court, through provision Of
the statute creating it, but that re-
lation is not sufficient for nation
long committed to the peaceful set
Element of international controver-
sizes. Indeed, our nation had+a con-
spicuous place in the advocacy Of
such an agency of peace and inter-
national adjustment, and our DELHI
crate public opinion of today is over
whelmingly in favor of our full par
ticipation, and the attending obli-
cations of maintenance and the fur
therance of it's prestige. 1t is for
this reason that am now asking for
the consent Of the senate to our adj
hesion to the protocol.