The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-02-27
HARD|NG'S LEAGUE
PROPOSAL To MEET.
DELAY IN SENATE.
Democrats Will Support Plan
While IrreconcilabIe Leader
Attacks Administration
for Inconsistency
Continues From Page one.)

(OOnunueJ FROM E-HEsG OHc.J
pudiation of the policy of non-par-
ticipation in European affairs.
Similar statements were issued by
other democrats, and Senator King
of Utah offered resolution to carry
out the administrations request. but
action on it went over without dis
cussion.
Swanson Speaks.
Senator Swanson of Virginia. who
will be ranking democrat on the for
eign relations committee in the next
Congress. issued a statement COM
mending the administration design.
Il am glad to note" he said, that
the administration has at last reached
a conclusion that it is necessary for
the United States to abandon it's pol
icy of isolation"
Senator Robinsons statement fol-
lows:
1T is difficult to understand why
the President withheld his recon-
mendation that this government shall
become party to the convention, es-
tablishing under the auspices OF the
League of Nations a permanent court
of international justice, until the ses-
sion of Congress is about to expire, if
he expects and desires action upon
the subject in the early future. The
message probably reflects the reac-
ton of the executive mind of public
opinion against the weak and indefi-
mite foreign policy of the administra-
ton.
Speaks Personal View.
1T cannot now be stated what po-
sition will be taken respecting his
recommendation by democratic sena-
tors.
My personal view has always
been that the United States should
manifest a spirit of helpfulness in
the promotion of the orderly settle
ment of international disputes and
that judicial tribunal. under prop
er restrictions, may be constituted
as the agent most nearly in har-
mony with our institutions. Having
declined membership in the League
of Nations, the Presidents proposal
now is, substantially, that this gov
eminent shall request the powers
composing tbs League of Nations to
modify the arrangements SO that the
United States may share fully the
responsibilities of action by the per-
manent international court, which is
one OF the agencies of the league.
Repudiates Policy.
"The Presidents proposal certain
ly is a reputation of that policy OF
nom participation in European af-
fairs, since it comes at time and
under conditions when the only ques-
ton likely to be considered by the
court are European controversies
most of them political disputes. Ger
tainly, IL the court survives the jeal-
ousies, prejudiceS and resentments
which its processes and conclusions
are likely to arouse among Euro
pean peoples, it may become an in
strument for great good and, in the
somewhat remote future, may rem
der helpful service to this country.
Nothing appears in the immediate
prospect which indicates that the
court may be asked to consider any
dispute in which the United States
is involved.
1T is unfortunate that the mes
sage was not submitted sooner, es-
pecially since it appears on the face
Of the Presidents communication
that the subject has been under con-
siderati ton during the entire period
that has passed since the adjourn
ment of the arms conference-almost
year
Half-Heartedness Charged.
IF the recommendation sof the
President is to be considered and
acted upon within short time, this
will make necessary a special ses-
sion of the Senate after March 4.
MY study of the subject, which
has not yet been completed has re-
suited in a feeling of friendliness to
the proposal that the United States
become party to the convention.
At the same time / realize that it
manifests policy of timidity and
half heartedness which deprives this
government of any credit for the
creation of the court, and because of
the delay proposing to participate.
convicts the administration of the
charge that its foreign policy is
characterized by hesitation and indie
cision. Moreover, adherence to the
convention, even under the condi-
tons proposed by the President, con-
stitutes practical recognition that
the League of Nations in creating
and maintaining the court of inter-
national justice, has rendered a serv-
ice of value to mankind.
The subject is entitled, in my
opinion, to friendly and patriotic
cOnSideration