The Washington herald., 1910-03-23
PRESIDENT TALKS
AT PEACE DINNER
Says Expense of Armament
Will Help to End Wars.
CANAL TO STRENGTHEN ARMY
Hotel Astor Scene of Big Gathering
Under Auspices of American Peace
ident Fairbanks Being Among the
Guests-Nr. Taft Makes Address.

New York. March 22,-The facade OF the
Hotel Astor. where the American Peace
and Arbitration League dined President
Taft about so strong tonight, was lurid
with various national flags. Incidentally
the Chief Executive added to the lurid-
ness inside the hotel when he spoke
war is n" is one thing he said. and
further on In his address he remarked
'"rhe Lord looks after children. drunken
men and the United States" Uproar)
President James B. McCreary. Of the
league, presided. Mr.. TAFT sat next 70
President McCreary. Count J. II Won
BernstorfT, the German Ambassador; AM
bassador Francisco de la Barra, from
Mexico: Henry Clews. the Hon. Stanley
W. Dexter, former Vice President Fair
banks. Gov Franklin Fort. of New Jer-
sey: Mayor Gaynor. the Rev John wes-
ley Hill the Hon. Seth Low, Henry W
Taft, Maj. Gen. Wood, and the Hon.
Henry q. Ward.
Hopes for Canal Aid.
President McCreary introduced Presi-
dent Taft as the first speaker. Mr.. Taft
said. in part:
The expense Of armament is work
ing towaDf peace. The expense OF war
is having greater weight in securing peace
than the expense of lives. A nation does
not lightly enter upon war now, and for
two reasons: First. because the expense
is so great that it is likely to lead her
to bankruptcy even If she wins. and, sec
ond, II she does not win the government
is likely to go down under the humiliation
of defeat at the hands OF her own people.
81 do not want 70 seem inconsistent in
speaking here In favor of peace by ar
bitration. while using at the same time
every effort 1 can bring 10 bear upon
Congress to have them build two more
battle ships. I am hopeful that we may
continue with that until the Panama
Canal Is constructed. so that then our
naval forces shall be doubled by reason
OF the connection between the two coasts.
Then we can stop and think whether we
wish to go further Perhaps by that time
there shall be adopted means of re-
ducing armament"
Gaynor Compares Nations,
Mayor Gaynor dwelt upon the peace
between the Orient and the Occident, and
decried the false attitude of superiority
on the part of America and Europe in
regard to the nations of the East. an
attitude, Mr.. Gaynor thinks. which may
or may not be dissipated by war.
The civilization of the West" said
Mayor Gaynor, seems to be reaching
that point in its slow development along
the lines of the precepts of Christianity.
when as a matter of humanity-or self
now calling for universal in
Lernational peace. and especially peace
between the East and the West
Mr.. McCreary, in the name Of the league.
velcomed the President and then out
ined some of the ideas which the So
jety advocates.
The Mexican Ambassador. Senor Fran
isco Leon de la Barra, began his speech
With a tribute to Mr.. Taft, and then had
'leasant things TO say about the United |
states and her representatives at the
econd peace conference.
Mr. Fairbanks here told of the army |
nd navy building he noted in various
ountries during his recent trip around |
he world. He said that often the !
hought came 10 him of how much bet
er it would be If this money were de- |
oted to internal aTairs-the construction
I highways. sanitary improvements In
tiles. or for the. construction of schools
nd hospitals Mr. Fairbanks continued.
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