The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1909-05-06
PEACE CONGRESS
OPENS IN CHICAGO
MANY DELEGATES CROWD ORCHES-
IRA HALL FOR SECOND AN
NUAL MEETING.
LETTER READ FROM TAFT
Secretary Ballinger Represents the Ad-
ministration and Rev. A. E. Bartlett
Outlines Work of Congress.
SESSION WILL LAST THREE DAYS

CHICAGO, H., May 3.--The second
national peace congress was opened for
mally here today. Orchestra hall was
well filled with delegates Robert Treat
Paine of Boston, president Of the Amer
lean Peace society, was iii the char.
Gov. Deneen Speaks.
Addresses of welcome were made by
Gov. Charles 5. Deneen and Mayor Fred
\. Busse of Chicago. Rev. A. Eugene
Bartlett, chairman of the reception com
mittee, welcomed the delegates to the
work of the congress and told them OF
the arrangements that had been made for
their comfort and convenience.
\ letter from President Taft was read
by Secretary of the Interior Richard A..
Ballinger, who had been delegated to
represent the administration. Miss Anna
g. Eckstein of Boston announced "A.
world petition to the third Hague con-
ference" DIR. Benjamin +. Trueblood,
secretary of the American Peace so
ciety, told of the present position of the
peace movement, and Dean W. T..
Rogers of the Cincinnati law school:
spoke of The Dawn of Universal
Peace"
Rev. Bartlett Outlines Work.
In his address of welcome Dr.. Bart
lett said
1--WE welcome you to the serious work
of the congress. Large have been the
expenditures, but we expect you TO do
your work so faithfully that the achieve
ments of this gathering will be immeas-
urably greater than its expenditures.
This congress must be more than 4 spas
modic expression of protest against war,
and resolution that disarmament
would be desirable. 1t should inaugur-
..nn IA "a ION n
education Of the people in the interests
of permanent, worldwide peace. The
burdens of war are borne by the com
mon people and i'll the end the verdict
of war or peace must rest with the
rank and file of the people"
Special Exercises Sunday.
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 morn
ing. In the afternoon there was a labor
demonstration and the Socialists held
several meetings. In the evening big
mass meeting was held under the aus
pieces of the Sunday Evening club. The
congress will last for three days.
President Taft Writes.
The following is the text of letter
written by President Taft to Secretary
Royal l.. Melendy of the National Peace
congress and which was read today:
My Dear Sir: | greatly regret that | am
unable to attend the coming national peOc,
congress at Chicago and there to express
my earnest sympathy with the object Of
the assembling OF so many distinguished
men In the interest of world peace. That
progress has been made In the matter OF
peace everywhere by International action
and by the moral pressure of the peoples
Of the earth anyone who has examined the
record must admit. 1t is true that arma-
ments 90 on increasing in cost, but 1t Is
also true that the burdens presented by
this competition in armament are growing
heavier and heavier and the problem for
solution consistent with their increase be
come more and more difficult.
The possibilities of war now arising come
chiefly from Responsibilities of govern
ment, and in those countries where Stabll-
ity of internal control Is lacking. The Unit
ed States has contributed much to the
cause Of peace by assisting countries weak
in respect to their internal government SO
as TO strengthen them in the cause of law
and order. This relationship of guardian
and ward us between nations and countries
In my Judgment, helps along the cause of
International peace and indicates progress
In civilizations. The policy of the United
States in avoiding war under all circum-
stances except those plainly inconsistent
with the honor or its highest welfare has
been made so clear to the world as hardly
10 need statement at my hands.
Always for Peace.
can only say that so far as my lpgtl-
mate influence extends while at the head
of this government It will always be exert
ed in the full in favor of peace, not only
as between this country and other coun'
tries, but aS between our sister nations.
Very sincerely yours,
WILLIAM II. TAFT