Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-09-02
ACCEPTANCE OF US.
IN COURT FORESEEN
Optimism Growing Here That
Powers Will O. K. All
Reservations.
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.

Optimism that the United States
will be accepted as member of the
World Court has begun to prevail
here. after many months of doubt
and Skepticism due to a fear that the
United States Senate had so phrased
the reservations as to make them un-
acceptable to the rest of the world
and thus block American entry into
the court.
The friendly reception given the
first three of the American reserva-
tions at Geneva has led to a belief
here that all now will be accepted.
The reasoning employed here is about
as follows:
First, the troublesome fifth reser-
vation could not now be amended be-
cause of the temper of the Senate,
but there is no telling what another
Senate might do five or ten years
hence, especially if the wording of
the reservation is such as to block
emergency involving other nations in
a possible war.
Advisory Opinion Question.
Second, the hypothetical case in
which an American interest might be
involved in the rendering of an ad-
viSory opinion is not even on the
horizon and may never arise. The
disadvantage of a possible instance
which could block the rendering of
an advisory opinion is offset by the
advantages to the other nations of
the world in having the United States
a member at last of the permanent
court.
Third, the record Of the United
States is not that OF an obStruct1OnlSt
and if the other governments ask con-
sent of the United States SO that the
World Court can render advisory
opinions in special cases, it is unlikely
America will claim an interest and
exercise a. veto simply to impede the
work of the court
If, on the other hand, American
public opinion should strongly oppose
the rendering by the World Court of
an advisory opinion on something like
immigration or the Monroe Doctrine,
then the rendering of such an opinion
in the face of American protests
might cause such an unfaVOrable i'm
preston on this side of the Atlantic
as to encourage those who advocate
withdrawal from the court. The sleague
members have always been stick
erS for sovereign rights and nonin
reference in internal questions and
that is why they cannot logically
object to Americas desire to safe
guard herself against advisory opin
ions on American questions without
the consent of the United States being
asked.
No Delay on L. s. Consent.
Fourth. the process of asking Ameri-
can consent and obtaining it is not
going to be one of delay. The Presi-
dent is charged by the Constitution
with the responsibility of defining
American policy abroad. It is taken
for granted here that the President
and Secretary of State, and not the
Senate. will define whether an Ameri-
can interest is involved in a dispute.
The Monroe Doctrine itself, which has
often been called the keystone Of
American foreign policy, is a declara-
ton by the Chief Executive, and never
has been subject to approval or disap-
proval by the Senate. though many
resolutions endeaVoring to amplify and
interpret the doctrine have been intro
duced.
Under the circumstances, the De-
partment of State can informally an
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