Evening star., 1923-06-07
WORLD COURT BEST
AMERICA MAY Do,
DECLARES HARDING
LARGEST Part Feasible in
Sterilization of Civilization,
He Writes Bishop.
ENTRY WOULD PRESERVE
INDEPENDENCE INTACT
Peculiar Situation Requires u. S.
to Announce Support of Peace,
Says the President.

President Harding declared in a
letter made public here today that by
accepting membership in the world
court the United States may make
its largest feasible contribution to
the sterilization of civilization while
at the same time surrendering MOTH
ing of the advantages and independ-
ence" now enjoyed by the American
people.
The Presidents letter was addressed
20 Bishop Thomas r. Gailor of Tennes-
see. head of the National Council of
the Protestant Episcopal Church. who
had written to assure the President
that there were many thousands or
citizens who deem il matter OF
honor that in some way the American
nation should contribute its influence
to rehabilitate the countries OF
Europe.
Seek Right Course.
You know we are all human
enough to have the feeling that the
man who agrees with us is the broad
minded and really intelligent person."
the President wrote in reply, NOT
many days ago ] made the ooserVa-
tion to my newspaper callers that L
did not believe any man could con-
front the responsibility of fresi-
dent of the United States and yet
adhere to the idea that 1t was pos
sible for our country to maintain an
attitude of isolation and aloofness In
the world.
eft is nv concern first that there
shall be an effective recognition OF
this fact. and that those who because
of their positions are earliest COM
PEELED to realize this situation may
be assured the understanding and
sympathetic support or the great
intelligent public opinion OF our
Beyond that. l am keenly desirous
that the right course shall be rouno,
whereby our favored country may
make its largest feasible contribution
30 the stabilization of civilization
while at the same time surtenderins
pendence which we enjoy. After
much of thought, study and confer
epce, l reached the conclusion that
our adherence to the program OF the
International Court represented
Long step for some.
1T is a longer step than some
would wish us to take in this direc-
tion. On the other hand, it Is a less
advance than some others would wish
us TO take. but to me It seems to meet
the requirements of our peculiar situa-
tfon and permits US to say to the world
that we are ready for our part in fur
therinG peace and stability. without
entanglement or surrender of cher
ished policy to which we are long and
strongly committed.
Il am gratified to know that in
taking this attitude I have seemed
10 you to deserve the commendation
you nave 90 cordially extended"
Finds Opposition.
The reaction of part of the mid
die west to the world court proposal
was reported to the President today
by Senator Fess. republican, Ohio,
who returned to Washington a few
days ago. after visiting Michigan. In
diana. Illinois. Pennsylvania, Ken
lucky and Ohio.
Il found people more set than ever
against the league of nations" said
Senator Fess. The republican poll
ticians just now are fearful that the
world court proposal means going
into the league. and some OF the rank
and file are timorous on the same
ground 1t doesn't mean going. into
the league. and when that fact be-
comes known and is made clear and
certain through reservations 1t will
become a popular issue"
Senator FesS said that although he
could not speak for the President he
felt the executive would accept clari-
flying reservations.