Evening star., 1909-05-03
|PEACE IS TAFT POLICY
Will Oppose War for United
States and Sister Nations.
,BALLINGER. READS LETTER
Sessions Of National Congress Open
in Chicago.
WELCOME BY DR.. BARTLETT
DR.. Schurman Speaks at Sunday
Mass MeetinE-Urges Understand
ing With Asiatic Races.
WELCOME BY DR.. BARTLETT


chair. Addresses of welcome were made
by Gov. Charles S. Deneen and Mayor
Frederick A. Busse of Chicago.
The Rev. A. Eugene Bartlett. chairman
Of the reception committee, welcomed the
delegates to the work of the congress and
told them of the arrangements that had
been made for their comfort and conven-
ience.
President Is Peace Advocate.
Secretary of the Interior Richard A.
BAllinger. who had been delegated to rep
| resent the administration. read the fol-
| lowing letter. written by President Taft
| to Secretary Royal l.. Melindy of the con-
gress:
my Dear Sir: greatly regret that
am unable to attend the coming national
peace congress at Chicago and there to
express my earnest sympathy with the
| object of the assembling of so many dis
tinguished men in the interest of world
peace.
"That progress has been made in the
matter of peace everywhere by interna-
tional action and by the moral pressure
of the peoples of the earth, any one who
1T is true that armaments go on in
creasing in cost. But 1t is also true that
the burdens presented by this competition
iH armament are growing heavier and
heavier. and the problems for solution
consistent with their increase become
more and more diff1cult.
"The possibilities of war now arising
come chiefly from Responsibilities of
hoe Srin
| stability of internal control is lacking.
1.-THE United States has contributed
much to the cause of peace by assisting
countries weak in respect to their inter-
nal government so as to strengthen in
them the cause of law and order This
relationship of guardian and ward as be-
| tween nations and countries. in my judg
| ment helps along the cause of interna-
civilization.
"rhe policy OF the United States in
avoiding war under all circumstances, ex-
| cept those plainly inconsistent with honor
or its highest welfare has been made so
clear to the world as hardly to need state
| ment at my hands.
IT can only say that, so far as my
| legitimate influence extends while at the
| be exerted to the full in favor of peace.
other countries, but as between our sister
nations.
"Very sincerely yours,
"WILLIAM II. TAFT
| Miss Anna r. Eckstein of Boston an
| nounced a world petition to the third
| Hague conference
| DR.. Benjamin r. Trheblood, secretary
of the American Peace Society, told of the
| present position of the peace movement
Dean w. p. Rogers Of the Cincinnati
Law School, spoke of '..The Dawn of Uni
| versal Peace
| Address Of Welcome.
In his address Of welcome Dr. Bartlett
| said:
| I'VE welcome you to the serious work of
| the congress. Large have been the ex-
penditures. but we expect you to do your
work SO faithfully that the achievements
| OF this gathering will be immeasurably
| greater than it's expenditures.
This congress must be more than a
| spasmodic expression of protest against
| war and q resolution that disarma ment
would be desirable. 1t should inaugurate
| a still more effective campaign of educa-
tion of the people in the interests of per-
| manent, worldwide peace.
The burdens of war are born by the
common people. In the end the verdict
| of war or peace must rest with the rank
and file of the people"
Call to Lay Down Arms.
Some power which the world will heed
must take the initiative in proposing
peace to the world" said Robert Treat
Paine of Boston in his opening address.
Continuing, he said:
I'VE meet here in Chicago in hopes that
l will fho IN
take this initiative, for which the whole
world awaits. Action of this character.
has in it little noble audacity.
''When the world was weary of the
bloody fight between japan and Russia
at last America made bold to intervene.
Remember how cordially the world ap-
proved and how this Intervention was
sustained till at last it triumphed and
peace triumphed over war.
| President Roosevelt felt the sympathy
of the whole civilized world rally behind
him in its support.
| Even SO. for long time. the world
| has condemned the mad policy of war.
Rare outbreaks of actual war occur Yet
| all peoples are coming to condemn the
| folly of perpetually increasing prepara-
| tion.
! .'The cost of this annual burden is
bankrupting the nations.
1.-The wealth of the world refuses any
longer to be wasted. Some nation. some
power must take the initiative in propos-
ing-in urging scheme by which peace
may Danish war.
1.-The second Hague conference, with its
glorious union of all the forty-four ma
/ tions on earth. could not quite agree on
the details of the supreme court of ma
tions drafted by James Brown Scott. to
| whom was intrusted that great task by
our American deputation under the lead
/ of cur own Joseph II. Choate.
| But this world scheme cannot long be
| DELAYED. With the concurrence and sup
| port of the powers OF the world scheme
will soon be ready.
| THE next step should be to have Amer
| ica speak up and ask the concurrence eff
! the world.
How can the men of peace induce
| America to lead? This is the task and
privilege of Chicago. Now let Chicago
speak.
| Let the power of Chicago be felt un-
der compelling influence, starting from
this great series of meetings Well may
we hope that Chicago will incite the
power of our nation to boldly take the
lead In inducing the nations of the world
| to unite In a scheme of peace which shall
| Danish war
Exercises OF many kinds were held In the
| city yesterday as a preliminary to this
| session. Special peace services were held
in all of the churches in the morning.
In the afternoon there was a labor
demonstration and the socialists held sew
meeting was held under the auspices of
| the Sunday Evening Club.
| The congress will last for three days.
DR.. Schurman's Speech.
| The mass rneetinc last uioht in nrcheS-