PRESIDENT HARDING.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 March 1923, Page 2

PRESIDENT HARDING.

VIEWS ON WORLD COURT. AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. WASHINGTON. March 5. President Harding in a letter to Lieut. Governor Bloom of Ohio, responding to a resolution of Ohio Assembly. commending the President's World Court attitude, indicates ho will attempt to swing American public opinion in favour of such a step. Air Harding declared it is inconceivable to me that the American people who have so long been devoted to this ideal, should refuse their adherence now to such a programme as represented by the. tribunal. I fool the adhesion of our country to the programme for the purpose of the Court of International Justice would represent a long, important, step toward the assumption of these proper and entirely safe relationships In international affairs, which should be born bv such, a country as our own. The President stated his request to the Senate was not made without the most thorough, mature deliberation. He declared those who are at this time invested with the direction of international relations of our country, are tirmlv convinced that (bis move would co'. oi.lv represent the wise policy ot om own' people, but would he emphatic testimony of our purpose to encourage every feasible project for establishing the rule of law as opposed to tlio. r>**> of power in the world. The President .rave assurances that there is no idea of the American Government surrendering, in any way. its control over its own fundamental rights and destinies. Ho added that we may be sure that differences will always arise among the States and peoples, precisely as tiny have' always arisen between individuals, and List "as the Courts of Justice in coili tv have bean set up to determine the issues between individuals, so • '** proper and logical that provision should b made for a. like adjudication on those differences between nations and peoples, which may properly lie commitod to such determination. T look upon the establishment of tteCoiTt of International Justice -with tV*urisdiction that has been given to it as Zc of the greatest advances which the world and society has made towards condition in which at last, the rule ot law may be substituted for the rule of force Referring to thd Court, the Pi - Ode, t said it looks to the settlement of issues before they become dangerously acute if it contemplates the ehminr„f cause of conflict and war fccli„tr. thus L cannot but believe our own country should he among the most do- , ::!qH ndhera.it* to such a programme.