Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-11-28
World Court.


Special sessions Of the Senate to deal
with treaties with foreign nations have
proved themselves to be time-savers.
When the Senate meets without the
House, 1t cannot give its attention to
legislative measures. 1t must confine
its activities purely to executive" mat
tiers, matters that are sent to it for ap-
prevail by the President. These are
limited to treaties with other nations
and to appointments to Federal Office.
One important proposed compact with
foreign countries awaits action by this
Government-the protocol providing for
American adherence to the Permanent
Court of International Justice, the more
formal name for the World Court. Con-
sideration of the proposal to have the
United States become member Of this
tribunal under the provisions Of the
revised statutes Of the court including
the Root formula" has been postponed,
first in order to give the Congress time
to dispose Of farm relief and tariff
legislation and finally to permit the
Senate TO dispose Of the London naval
treaty. The World Court protocol
presses for action.
It is quite clear, however, that If
President Hoover were to send the
World Court protocol to the Senate for
ratification at the regular session of
Congress which begins on Monday, it
might lead to such prolonged debate
that legislative measures demanding at
tention could not be disposed Of by the
close Of the session March 4. Despite
the fact that the court proposal viii
command the support Of large major
ity Of the Senate, there ID TO be q de-
termtned opposition, capable Of delaying
. vote ca the protocol for weeks and
even months, II other matters are be-
fore the Senate for consideration ct the
same time.
The obvious remedy for the situation
ID q special session of the Senate, called
by the President after March 4. Mr..
Hoover met the situation which arose
aftsr tia negotiation Of the London
naval treaty BY calling . special ses-
sion Of the Senate last July. That SEES
sion began July and ran for three
weeks, despite the fact that In the end
only o Senators were recorded IN oppo-
sition to the treaty. There were few
other members Of the Senate who
paired" against the treaty. With the
rule Of unlimited debate operating In
the Senate, and cloture to be won only
by q two-thirds vote, it is evident that
q small minority Of the upper house
can delay action on q treaty for a very
considerable period.
The Root formula, designed to cover
the Senate reservations adopted in
1925 TO the first protocol providing ad-
herence to the World Court, has been
approved by the administration and by
leading Democratic Senators, among
them Senator Swanson Of Virginia, who
wrote the reservations adopted four
years ago. 1t appears to meet success
fully the issue Of advisory opinions"
which may be given by the World Court
70 the League Of Nations and to member
noClOIlbs OnOcr L1cce COnOlLlOIlS, Tie
adherence OF the United states to the
World Court Is desirable. The court is
the tribunal set up for the adjustment
Of international disputes by peaceful
means. It Is the agency to which the
nations may turn successfully now that
they have agreed to the Kellogg multi
lateral treaty renouncing war as .
means Of settlement Of controversies
arising between nations. Critics Of the
court insist that 1t is the League Of
Nations Court" and that by adhering to
the court the United States will become
involved In the affairs Of the league.
This seems an idle objection. Further
more. the United States does cooper
ate today with the League Of Nations
In setting up international agree
nents looking TO better relations be-
tween the nations. Yet such co-opera-
ton has not resulted in bringing this
country into the affairs Of the league.
The country Is strongly in favor Of
American adherence TO the World Court
with proper safeguards. In the end,
such adherence may be expected.