Evening star., 1923-02-25
PRESIDENT URGES
j. s. MEMBERSHIP
IN LEAGUE COURT
Sends Special Message to
Senate Asking Sanction,
With Four Reservations.
INDICATIONS AGAINST
ACTION AT THIS SESSION
Hughes Letter Sent Explaining
No Legal Relation to League"
Would Be Assumed.

Would Be Assumed.
Conditional American membership
iii the international court set up by
the league of nations was proposed
yesterday by President Harding.
In message to the Senate, asking
that 1t advise and consent to such
n step, the President declared par
ffcipation in the tribunal offered an
opportunity through which the United
States could demonstrate its willing
ness to aid in preserving world sta
bflity without in any manner as
Stunning "any legal relation to the
league"
Four reservations, the first of
which would specifically disclaim any
obligations under the league, were
suggested by Mr.. Harding as neces-
sary conditions to membership in the
court The others would give this
government q voice in selecting the
Judges of the court and in making
changes in its basic regulations, and
would provide that Congress deter
mine what part of the expenses of
tho tribunal are to be paid out of
the American Treasury.
Delay Believed Likely.
Although there had been intima-
tionS that American participation in
the court was favored in administra-
ton quarters, the Presidents mes
sage came as a complete surprise to
senator's generally, and all indica-
tions pointed to delay in Senate
action on the recommendation until
the session of Congress which meets
next December
Th Presidents message follows:
There has been established at Tho
Hague a permanent court of interna-
tional Justice for the trial and deci-
sion OF international causes by ju-
dicia1 methods now effective through
the ratification by the signatory pow
ers of u special protocol. 1t is or
ganized and functioning The United
States is a competent suitor in the
court, through provision of the stat
ute creating it, but that relation is
not sufficient for a nation long COM
mitted to the peaceful Bettlement of
international controversies Indeed.
our nation had a conspicuous place
in the advocacy of such an agency of
peace and interna ational adjustment
and our deliberate public opinion of
today is overwhelmingly in favor of
our full participation and the attend
ing obligations of maintenance and
furtherance of it's prestige. 1t is for
this reason that 1 am now asking for
the consent of the Senate to our ad-
hesion to the protocol.
Sends Hughes Letter.
with this request / am sending to
the Senate copy of the letter ad
dressed to me by the Secretary of
State, in which he presents in de-
tail the history of the establishment
of the court. takes note Of the OBJ
lection to our adherence because of
the courts organization under the
auspices 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
relation to the league or assumption
of obligation under the covenant of
the league.
"I 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 Senate.
For long period, indeed, ever since
the International conference on the
Limitation of armament, the con-
sideration of plans under which we
might adhere to the protocol has been
under way. We were unwilling to
adhere unless we could participate in
the selection OF judges; we could not
hope to participate with an American
accord If adherence involved any legal
r. relations to the league. These con-
ditions, there is good reason to be-
lieve, will be acceptable to the
signatory powers, though nothing
definitely can be done until the United
States tenders adhesion with these
reservations. Manifestly the execu-
tive cannot make this tender until
the Senate has spoken it's approval.
Therefore, most earnestly urge your
favorable advice and consent. 1 would
rejoice If some action could be taken.
even in the short period which re-
tnains Of the present session.
U. s. Should Take Her Place.
'It is not a 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
of such an agency of advanced
civilization. 1t would be well worth
tho while Of the Senate to make such
epecial effort as is becoming to record
dts approval Such action would add
60 our own consciousness of par
Gicipation in the fortunate advance
Suent OF international relationship,
and remind the world anew that we
are ready for our proper part in
furthering peace and adding to
stability in world affairs"
Among the leaders of the "irrecon-
cilables'' of the league of nations
fight, in particular, there were pre-
dictions that nothing would be done
until time had been given for mature
reflection and comprehensive debate.
a spSo1a1 meeting Of the foreign 70.
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