Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-08-05
COMPROMISE PLAN FOR v.
ADHERENCE TO. WORLD
COURT

ADHERENCE TO. WORLD
COURT
In view of the probability of the
United States Senate voting early in
1926 for American adherence to the
World Court, the important question
arises whether any proposal put for
ward will contain reservations
enough to satisfy this country but at
the same time not too many reserva-
lions as to be unacceptable to the
nations now members Of the Court.
This question carries considerable
weight on account Of the reports that
although Senate poll shows that the
proposal for the United States to join
the World Court has six votes to
spare, several of the Senators are
likely to argue for various types OF
amendments or reservations, espe-
cially those framed for the absolute
enforcement of the Court from the
League of Nations.
Simplicity is the keynote OF the
new compromise plan, proposed by
Senator Pepper Of Pennsylvania.
member of the Foreign Relations
Committee. This plan aims at the
amendment of the protocol by the
signatory Powers rather than making
American reservations. If accepted
by the present forty-eight members
Of the League, these amendments
would give the United States share
in choosing the Courts Judges, pro-
tect us against it's advisory opinions
and make the distinct stipulation
that the United States shall not be
subject to any liabilities or RESPONSE
bilities under the League of Nations.
1t is commended that these stipula-
tions would insure this country en-
tering the Court on the tenet to
which it has chung, that the United
States should not become entangled
with foreign politics.
While President Coolidge has not
yet given his full endorsement to the
new compromise plan, he is said to
favor its essential points. He be-
lieves that the United States should
adhere to the World Court, but
should become member without as
Stunning any of the liabilities of the
League of Nations and with the pro-
vision that this country should have
a say in the election Of judges. He
and the Republican Senators are re-
ported to be especially insistent that.
the Court should adopt statute de-
filming its p bvince in giving advisory
opinions.
1T is pointed out" says the New
York Times, that, such opinions al
ready given by the Court have caused
its greatest criticism. Broadly speak
ing, most Senators feel that there
should be no secret advisory opinions,
and that no opinions should be given
unless both sides to dispute seek
advice. For instance, the United
States would object to the Court CIV
ing an opinion on the American I'M
migration law, which excludes jap
anese. The Court would be prohibited
from rendering an advisory opinion
under the new Pepper proposal.
"Of the nine matters so far dealt
with by the Court eight have been on
the subject Of advisory opinions. The
jurisdiction of the Court to give such
opinions, whether or not 1t Is i'm
pliedly sanctioned by the statute OF
the Court Is held by Senator Pepper
and others to be "a highly dangerous
and undesirable Jurisdiction The
proposal which Senator Pepper Is
now making is that the Court shall
not exercise this function except In
well defined cases, and in no instance
unless both parties to an issue
agree"
To devise a plan which will assure
American adherence to the Court on
terms acceptable to all concerned, is
indeed a big problem in view of the
divergent opinions on a number Of
the points, but with the various plans
already submitted the Senate will
have plenty Of working material.
President Coolidge and the Sem
ators are to give the proposition care
full consideration at the conferences
to be held this summer for the pur-
pose Of bringing about a ratification
Of the resolution for adhering to the
Court. which comes up for debate in
the Senate on December II. It is be-
neved that simplicity will be the
feature Of the plan finally adopted by
the Senate. whether It be the formula
sponsored by Senator Pepper or q
plan yet to be devised.