Evening star., 1923-10-12
CHURCHES COUNCIL
| FANS COURT ISSUE
Presidents Wish to Side
track World Plan Hit by
Discussion Program.
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.

Politicians may propose. but parti-
sans dispose. President Coolidge
would like to sidetrack the world
court issue till after the 1924 cam
paign, but the champions OF the
world court will not let him.
World court week has been pro-
claimed. for example, by the Federal
Council of Churches of America. to
be given over to a study of the issue
by all Christian organizations thar
hold regular meetings from Novem-
Der 5 to IL. such as church prayer
groups: home and foreign mission
societies. Young Mems Christian as
sociations. Young Women's Christian
associations Student Volunteer Move
ment classes. Christian Endeayor So
cieties and Epworth leagues.
he federal council Will also ask
chambers OF commerce. labor or
ganisations. oranges, Rotary Ki-
clubs. American Legion posts. all
women's organizations and all peace
societies provide programs for dis
cussion OF the proposal that Amer
lea enter the permanent court OF
International justice now sitting at
Mr.. Coolidge has not said q word
publicly about the world court since
he took the oath Of Office.
The organisations friendly to the
they plan an agitation of the subject
anyhow to present the pro and con.
Siace the death Of President Harding
friends of the new President have
been telling him that 1t would be po-
litically disastrous for him to say
it would divide the republican party
and injure Mr.. Coolidge's own
chances Of winning the presidential
nomination. Communications have
gone to the President himself asking
for his views, but they have not been
revealed to the public.
The political argument made is that
Mr.. Coolidge can wait till after the
1924 nominating convention Is over be-
fore committing himself on the issue.
action so far as selecting new judges
or giving financial support to the
court. Also any nation may appeal
to the world court whether men,
Der of that body or not.
Views Issue Nsa-Partiaan.
But the Federal Council of Churches
considers the Issue non.partisan and
Five weary years have passed
since the armistice" says the federal
council in q formal statement today.
at has become clear to most that
the final establishment of permanent
peace between nations will not come
at a bound. Come 1t will, but only
through long and patient processes
of national and international educa-
ton. through Willingness OF nations
to make concessions one to another,
through desire for helpful interna-
tional corporation. and through the
creating by constructive statesman
ship Of the instruments and agencies
AT the coming session of Congress
the Senate will have to decide
whether or not the United States shall
accept that proposition (that OF the
late President Harding and Secretary
Hughes) and become one OF the sup
On that decision will depend to
large degree the future relations OF
the United States to the other ma
tions of the world. The question of
American membership Is not par
tisan issue.
This commission on International Jus
tice and good will of the federal coun-
ell of churches Of America believes that
the churches heartily approve or Amen,
can membership in the world court, and
earnestly desire the Senate to accept
without mutilation or substantial mod
ffication the proposals of the late Presi-
dent as formulated in his message to
the Senate February "a. 1928"
Nothing is said IN the statement
about President Coolidges attitude.
The campaign will be conducted on the
basis of what his predecessor and the
present Secretary OF State say. though
an effort no doubt will be made to get
an expression from Mr.. Coolidge for
use during world court week.
The democrats In the United States
Senate will not let the issue slumber.
II Mr.. Coolidge does not come out
souarely for the world court In his
address to Congress in December
they will assume he is against the
measure and carry on their CAM
paign accordingly. The issue will
not be allowed to get sidetracked,
even though favorable action may
not be secured till after the 1924
Copyrtght. 1923.