Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-11
j. S. COURT ENTRY
OCCUPIES JUR|STS
Root Declines Honor of PreSi-
dency of Statute Revi-
sion Commission.

BY the Associated Press.
GENEVA, March 1.-THE question
of American adhesion to the World
Court of International Justice was
taken up today at the first meeting of
a jurists' committee which is to con-
slider revision of the statutes of the
court.
American apprehension expressed In
Secretary Kellogg's note III February
that the powers of the World Court
might be modified through changes in
the covenant of the League of Nations,
in which the United States is not a
member, was taken up soon after the
election of Vittorio Scialoja, noted Ital-
ian jurist. as president of the commits
sion. Elihu Root, American member,
whose formula for the accession of the
United States to the Court Is under
study, declined the honor of the post.
Provides for U. S. Withdrawal.
Sir Cecil Hurst of Great Britain pre-
sented a memorandum, the gist Of
which was that the United States would
specifically be given the right to resign
from the Court any time that it desires
and that the United States could with
draw if it found changes made in the
League covenant not to its liking
The jurists tackled the American
membership problem at the very start
of the session by having read both the
Kellogg note and the Root formula,
which Mr.. Root explained briefly along
the lines previously indicated. He voiced
his belief that agreement would be
reached on specific cases as to whether
an advisory opinion should be asked or
dropped.
On the suggestion of President Scia-
loga, the jurists then studied the KEEL
logg note with reference to possible
changes in the covenant and mooifica-
tions in the rules of the court. The
president then asked his colleague
whether any way could be found to give
the United States satisfaction on these
points.
Sir Cecil replied with the suggestion
about the privilege of resignation being
safeguarded. Other members thought
that granting the United States the right
to vote on any proposed amendments to
the court would clear away the dill
Guilty over notifications in the statutes.
Still others advocated the insertion OF
a resolution that the doctrine enunciated
by the court in q recent case would go
By this doctrine, which involved Rus
STA, the court can give no advisory opin-
ion when state which is party to the
dispute is opposed. even though it Is not
member of the League.
Question Is Not Settled.
The question of meeting American
doubts about the covenant was not set
tied. however, except in the sense pro-
posed by Sir Cecil giving the United
States the right to withdraw. Several
ton of whether advisory opinions should
be requested by unanimous or majority
vote in the Council was liquidated,
American adhesion to the World Court
would be Immediately simplified.
simultaneously with the converting of
the commission the League issued a
communique tracing the history Of the
movement for examination of the World
Court statutes with view to incor-
porating desirable amendments. Sat-
urdays action of the Council authoriz-
llS COiSIucIdIiOil VI tiAC QuCoeioA Va
American adhesion to the Court and an
elaboration of suggestions calculated to
facilitate adhesion also were contained
in the communique.
It was believed that the jurists would
frame protocol as a substitute to the
protocol of 1926. This new protocol
probably would be based on the Root
formula and is expected to meet the
views Of the American Senate concern
ing the Councils right to ask ADVISOR
opinions