| Show PRESIDENT A ASKS K I IU UI U. Si BE PLACED IN WORLD COURT Message to S Senate nate Requests Participation in Hague Tribunal Under League of Nations Covenant ARMS CONFERENCE BASIS OF NEW MOVE Action Comes as Surprise to Senators May Revive Fight Made on Policies of Wilson Administration WASHINGTON Feb 24 By A. A P. P President Harding today asked the senate to make the United State a full fun fledged member of the permanent court of ot international justice at The Hague which was established under the league of of nations covenant In a message to the senate the ex executive executive ex- ex asked that assent be given to American adhesion t to the protocol of ot the International tribunal Four reservations Were suggested by Secretary of ot State Hughes in a a. letter accompanying the presidents president's message These were 1 That It Is Js understood action by by the senate giving assent to the courts court's protocol does not Involve any legal regulation on the part of ot the United States to tho the league of nations or the assumption of any under the league covenant 2 That the United States be given the right to vote in the election of ot Judges judges judges-a a right now given only to those motions which are members of the league 3 That the United States will pay Its fair fall share of ot the expenses of ot the court 4 41 4 That the statute of ot the court adjoined ad adjoined adjoined ad- ad joined to the protocol not be amended I without the consent of ot the United I tates I RESERVATION ACCEPTABLE The president Indicated that these thee I reservations would be accepted by the theco co court rt and the league of nations Stating tating that our deliberate public opinion today Is overwhelmingly i In favor tavor of our full tull participation Mr Harding urged that the senate take action ac action action ac- ac tion on his request at this session Neg Negotiations for American participation participation participation I pation have been in progress since the Washington arms conference tho the message message message mes mes- sage revealed Such action would add to our our own consciousness of participation In In In- Inthe the fortunate advancement of at International relationship and remind the world anew that we are ready for our proper I part in furthering peace and adding addingto to stability in world the president president president dent said Unusual significance was attached to this statement by br observers ers here SURPRISE TO SENATE The presidents president's action today came Continued on page 4 4 PRESIDENT ASKS Continued from page page 1 as a a. complete surprise to many senIte senate sen- sen ate te leaders Threatening as it does to revive tho only league of nations fight It may maybe maybe maybe be extremely difficult to obtain action on his request In the few tew remaining days of this session President Harding in his message said There has been established at The Hague a a. permanent court of ot international International International justice for the trial and decision of or international causes by judicial methods now effective through the ratification by the signatory powers of ofa ofa a special protocol It Is organized and functioning The United States is a competent suitor if Jn n the court through provision of t tating tire statute creating creating creating cre cre- cre- cre it but that relation is not sufficient sufficient sufficient suf suf- for a nation long committed to to the peaceful settlement of ot international International International controversies Indeed our nation nation nation na- na naI tion had a a. conspicuous place in the advocacy of ot such an agency of peace and International adjustment and ou our r deliberate public opinion of today Is overwhelmingly in favor of our full participation and the attending obligations obligations obligations of ot maintenance and the furtherance furtherance furth furth- erance of ot Its prestige It is for tor this reason that I am ant now asking for the consent of ot the senate to our adhesion to the protocol GIVES COURT HISTORY With this request I am sending to i ithe the senate a copy of the letter addressed ad- ad ad 1 dressed to me by the secretary of ot state staten In n which he presents in details the tory of ot the establishment of ot the court takes note of ot the objection to our ad adherence ad- ad because of ot the courts court's organization organIzation organ organ- under the auspices of the I league of or nations and its relation thereto and Indicates how with certain certain certain tain reservations we may fully adhere ad adhere adhere ad- ad here and participate and remain wholly free from any legal relation to the league of ot assumption of ot obligation under the covenant of ot the league I I forbear repeating the presentation presenta presenta- tion made by the secretary of state i but there is one phase of ot the matter not covered in his letter with which I r choose frankly to acquaint the senate For a a. long period Indeed ever since the International conference on the limitation of ot armaments the consid consid- of ot plans under which we wp we might adhere to the protocol has been under way We were unwilling to adhere unIes unless unless un un- less Ies we could participate in the selection selection tion of ot Judges we could not hope to participate with American accord if adherence Involved any legal relation to the league These conditions there is good reason to believe will be ac acceptable acceptable ac- ac c- c I to the signatory powers though nothing definitely can be done done e I until the United States tenders ion with these thes reservations Manifest Manifest- tender until the senate has spoken I its approval I 1 would rejoice if It some ac action action action ac- ac tion could be taken even in the short t I period which remains of the present s session It is not a new problem In internee international I Honal relationship It is s wholly a a. ques ques- tion of ot accepting an established an-established Institution institution tulles of ot high character and making effective all the fine tine things which have 1 been said by us In favor of ot such an agency of ot advanced civilization It would bo be well worth the while of ot the senate to make such effort as is becoming to Such I action would add to our own consciousness consciousness of ot participation in the fortunate fortunate fortunate fortun fortun- ate advancement of ot International 1 relationship re relationship re- re and remind the world anew new that we are ready for tor our proper par part in furthering peace and adding to stability sta sta- in world affairs I ata-I |
