The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-02-26
FIRST FURRY
OVER LEAGUE
COURT COMING
Final Action, However, on
Proposal of Harding to Join
in International Court
Expected to Go Over
Until Next Session

WASHINGTON, Feb. 25.-The
attitude of senators on the admin
istration's sudden request yesterday
for authority for the United States
to join the international court of
justice, organized under the League
Of Nations, failed to develop much
more clearly today except for in
creased indications that action
would go over until the December
session of Congress.
The first senatorial lineup on
the question will come on Tuesday
at the meeting of the foreign rela-
tions committee, called by Senator
Lodge of Massachusetts, republican
leader, for initial consideration of
the plan presented by President
Harding in transmitting to the SEN
ate the detailed legislation of the
administration program by Secre-
tary Hughes.
Pending the committee meeting,
leaders of the ''irreconcilable" and
"reservationist" groups of repub-
licans generally withheld open ex-
pressions of judgment. Democratic
leaders, however, especially of the
so-called Wilson group" were in
harmony in according approval.
IrreconciIables Silent.
The attitude of the 'irreconcilable''
faction which played a powerful part
in preventing ratification of the
treaty of Versailles, appeared to be
one CT suspicion and, in some in
stances, hostility augured for a bit
ter opposition to the new proposal
as to the League of Nations.
Significance was seen in the fail
ure of administration leaders,
largely belonging to the "reservist''
group in the league fight. to come
forward with immediate expressions
of approval such as are given Gus
tomarily to administration moves.
League proponents of the demo-
cratic side are coming forward with
general Endorsement of the aim
sought by the administration, but
even they are making reservations as
to details
The position OF Senators Borah of
Idaho, johnson of California, Brande-
gee of Connecticut, Moses of New
Hampshire and Mccormick of Illinois,
republican "rreconcilables," is ex-
pected to be developed openly by
Tuesday. All are members of the
foreign relations committee.
Rornh's Affitude
Although Senator Borah recently
offered a resolution proposing an in
| ternational court with a definite in
ternational code of laws and jursdic-
ton, he emphasized at that time that
| such a court should be distinct from
any connection with the League of
Nations. This circumstance was re-
| garded today as prophetic of Senator
Borah's attitude toward the admin :
/ istration plan. Senator Johnson and
Senator Reed of Missouri, democratic
| "irreconcilable," have been noted for
their hostility for any dealings or
connections, however remote, with the
league.
Senator Moses said today that the
administration plan appeared Ito in
| volve staying out and getting into
! the league at the same time
Senatorial opinion in the formative
stages and with general declarations
that judgments would not be reached
until after mature elaboration, pre-
dictions privately in all quarters
were that it would be impossible
within the week remaining before
| adjournment, for the Senate even to
initiate action on the administration
request