Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1932-01-06
World Court Postponement
Viewed From Many Angles

Postponement of action on the en-
trance of the United States into the
World Court has aroused some protests
on the ground that conditions made by
the Senate have been met by the tri-
bunal. A possibility is seen, however,
that the measure will come before the
present session of Congress notwith-
standing the action of the Foreign Re
lationS Committee. On the other hand
some comments approve the delay on
the ground that the reopening of the
question at this time would lead to
Understanding debate in Congress. and
others feel that it Is desirable to make
no final decision so long as disturbed
conditions abroad complicate the situa-
ton. Opponents of American ad-
herence to the Court point to the de-
ciSion on the German Austrian customs
union to support their views.
There will probably be a difference
Of opinion even among those who sup
port American adhesion to the Court.
according to the New York Herald Trib-
une, as to whether the atmosphere Of
economic strain and political uncer-
tainty make this the best moment at
which to decide a question OF perma-
nent American policy" Advising that
Ito press too earnestly for final vote
at this time might mean the death
and burial of the whole idea the
Herald Tribune concludes: I'VE favor
adhesion to the court, and even should
it prove impossible to secure ratlflca-
ton at this session We believe the queS-
ton should be kept on those planes OF
common sense and proportion where 1t
can be considered again when the Ma
ton can see its true policy more
clearly"
The Foreign Relations Committees
refusal to give precedence to the world
Court issue makes vote in this session
seem improbable" thinks the South
Bend Tribune. with the suggestion that
"if the delay up to this time has been
harmful, it is not apparent to most
Americans"
Declaring that the Court has not
proved itself to be anything beyond a
political set-up, whereby the powerful
nations of Europe may more easily force
the weaker ones into submission without
the expense of a war" the Columbus
Ohio State Journal offers the judgment:
ut is almost certain that some time be-
fore the present session OF Congress ends
the Senate will be asked to vote ad-
herence of the United States. 1t Is to
be hoped that the nationalistic spirit
which thus far has kept it from promis-
ing this Nations participation will again
prevail The business of swinging
popular favor of the country for it con-
tinues. but it is almost bound to fail,
especially if the World Court gives out
any more decisions as palpably unjust
as the one against the German Aus
trian customs union"
Even the most neutral minds as well
as many favorably disposed toward the
Court, and some strong advocates of it,
both in this country and Europe" re-
calls the Lexington Leader, have as
sailed the Courts decision disappearing
the customs union, and have expressed
regret over it, because they believe
political considerations influenced the
action taken"
Observing efforts to swing popular
favor toward the Court, the Fort Wayne
News-Sentinel remarks: We sincerely
trust that effort may fail-especially if
the so-called Court hands down any
more decisions as palpably unjust and
as crudely political as the one against
the AuStrian-German AnSchluSS."
#
Pointing out that in a defense of
the court John w. Davis emphasized
the fact that the customs union de-
cision was based on specific question,
the Louisville Courier Journal states
that the question was: Would a regime
established between Austria and Ger
many on the basis and within the
limits of the principles laid down by the
protocol of March 10. 1881, be COM
patible with Article SO of the Treaty
of Saint-Germain and with Protocol
No / signed at Geneva on October
1922" TnA Courier journal concludes
Though ssk impartial observer may