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Finer and Sohn Disagree on Poll On World Order

Results Significant, Sohn Says; Finer Calls Questionnaire on World Problems Too Vague

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In comments on a recent Roper public opinion poll, in which it was found that 62 percent of the American public are willing to submit international problems to an elected world congress with mandatory powers, two faculty experts in international problems expressed disagreement in interviews yesterday.

Finer Considers Question Vague

Herman Finer, visiting lecturer in Government, stated that the results were insignificant because the question was too general, and Louis B. Sohn, research follow in International Law, said, "the number in favor of the proposal is very significant and shows that the American people are way ahead of Congress in their thinking."

The full question, which Finer considered too vague, read, "If every other country in the world would elect representatives to a world congress and let all problems between countries be decided by this congress with the strict provision that all countries have to abide by the decisions, whether they like them or not, would you be willing to have the United States to along on this."

"The results of the poll are insignificant," said Finer, "because the question says nothing about the proportion of representation nor does it define what 'problems between nations' are."

People Want International Congress

He went on to say that he was pleasant surprised at the outcome but that, is that people like peace and are uneasy "the only thing you can judge from this in the world today."

Sohn, on the other hand, stated that, "despite the generality of the question, I believe that people are really willing to take steps, toward an international congress."

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