World Court

Senator Pepper obliged the Republican irreconcilables by propounding a scheme for U. S. entry into the Permanent Court of International Justice according to their tastes (TIME, June 2). His schemes involved making 16 Amendments to the statute by which the League of Nations founded the Court. These were in addition to a group of reservations similar to those proposed by President Harding when he advocated entering the Court. Mr. Pepper asserted that President Coolidge would approve the new proposal.

Last week Mr. Coolidge in a memorial speech at Arlington Cemetery pronounced a few short paragraphs on the Court theme:

"More than a year ago President Harding proposed that the Senate should authorize our adherence to the protocol of the Permanent Court of International Justice with certain conditions. His suggestion has already had my approval. On that I stand. I should not oppose other reservations, but any material changes which would not probably receive the consent of the many other nations would be impracticable.

"We cannot take a step in advance of this kind without assuming certain obligations. Here again if we receive anything we must surrender something. We may as well face the question candidly, and if we are willing to assume these new duties in exchange for the benefits which would accrue to us, let us say so.

"If we are not willing, let us say that. We can accomplish nothing by taking a doubtful or ambiguous position. We are not going to be able to avoid meeting the world and bearing our part of the burdens of the world."