The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-04-29
DIVORCE LE A | U [ AND COURT, PLAN
 0F |. |. ?. [EADER RS
Republican Senators Work FeveriShly to Prevent
 Party Split

WASHINGTON, April 28.-Sugges- tons for completely divorcing the world court from the League of Ma tfons have emanated from influential quarters here, as way of meeting the objections of the anti-League forces. These suggestions are in- tended to make it possible for Re- publican senators opposed to the League to follow the President in his world court proposal and thus prevent a break in the ranks of the party.
 The compromise proposals are still in the nebulous stage, but they cen ter around the method of selecting judges, as that Is the thread which connects the court with the League.
 It Is proposed to select the judges by machinery entirely divorced from the League. Each nation would vote directly. Whether each country would have merely one vote, or whether the voting strength would be made proportionate on basis of populatin. or on an arbitrary ar rangment which would give the great powers a larger voice, are all mat ters that would have to be nago- tiated.
 Second Plan Offered
 A second plan Is to ask that the United States be allowed to appoint one judge independently and then refrain from voting in the selec- tfon of the other members of the court. This judge would be named by the President subject to the ap- proval of the Senate.
 Each method has objections, and both are dependent entirely upon the willingness of the other powers to reorganize the machinery of the .y~.J by their sponsors chiefly as start ing points for discussion which they hope will result. in a compro- mise acceptable to two-thirds oi the Senate. They have been dis cussed with President Harding, but whether he considers them practi cal is not known. Both Harding and Hughes have argued that the na- tions have been trying to form a of the League as an electoral medium Is the one satisfactory one that the world has ever been able to work out. However. If they see that the Senate opposition Is too strong for them. they will accept some such notifications rather than have their effort collapse entirely. Moderates Favor Plsn
 Senators Lodge, Mccormack and Watson, who are inclined to oppose the court because of It's affiliation with the League. would naturally favor such compromise. It Is doubtful If Borah. Johnson and La Toilette would be impressed.
 The world court proposal is run ming a course In the Senate exact ly parallel to that which the League of Nations took. one wing of the Republican party Is completely an tagonistic. Another section Is com pletely favorable. A third group. some of one opinion, and some of an other. are mainly interested in hold Just as this group kept the party together by the Lodge reservations. so they hope again to prevent a breach by compromise suggestions.
 Whether the nations would be sounded out in advance regarding the changes Is problematical. It Is more likely that the Senate will re- wise the proposal by drafting reser- vations which shall become effective upon approval by the other nations signatory to the protocol. The ad- ministration would then have the Senate on record in favor of the court, and could not be held responsi- ble If the other powers should not see fit to accept the American sug- gestions for revision.
 Some consideration Is also being given reservation designed to overcome the objections voiced here to the British empires six votes in the league assembly. This device does not meet the objection of the strong anti-leaguers. who demand first of all breaking of the ties be- tween the court and It's parent. Fur thermore, 1t would be unnecessary if the more radical suggestions should be adopted.
 The sensation created by Hard ing's New York address shows no signs of diminishing. His bold dec laration that the party's pledge must be fulfilled has served, however. to drive much of his opposition under cover Some have mistaken this as a sign that the opposition Is subsid- ing. It has merely changed its form and forced some senators to preserve a superficial show of party loyalty while privately working for the defeat of the plan.