The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-01-15
SENTIMENT IS FOR WAR, SAYS
 J. W. FOSTER
Former Secretary of State Tells National Peace So- ciety Masses Must Be
 Educated
Quotes General Wood and
 a Senator Who Favor Strengthening the Army.
Special from United Press.l


 New York, Jan. 15.-That public sentiment is in favor of war as the best means of settling international disputes, and that the advocates of universal peace and arbitration are far in the minority, was the bold dec laratiop of Honorable John w. Foster, former Secretary of State, in an ad- dress before the members of the Ma tional Peace Society following a lun- cheon here today. Foster declared that the proper way for the advocates of universal peace to work was not to devote their time to endeavoring to force legislation but to lwork among the masses and create a senti- ment for peace which would of itself
 In his address, after admitting the magnitude of the new task the society has on hand Foster declared that lit tie hope could be expected from the present Senate and quoted Senator whom he did not name to that effect. He also quoted Major General Wood as saying that the army should be enlarged and strengthened.
 Such sentiments as these uttered by the Senator and the General" he continued, fare but a reflex. of the popular feeling in our country, and it is one which must be changed before we may expect any substantial and permanent realization of the princi- pies of the peace society,"
 Foster then defended the Revolu- tionary war which he declared does not fall within the category of for eign wars and in this discussion ven- tured the assertion that if Canada to- day desired to set up an independent government it would meet with no a H D,,;to ;v,
 He declared that the war of 1872 and the Mexican war were indefensible and that the Civil war grew out of conditions that could not have been foreseen but should have been avoid ed by purchasing the slaves and set- ting them free.
 The Spanish war, he declared, was precipitated by the blowing up of the Maine and he declared that it is by no means certain that this explosion did not originate inside of the battle ship. There would have been no need of this war, he declared, had it not been that popular opinion forced the available and would have prevented a conflict.
 Professor John Bates Clark of the Department of Economics of Colum- bia University, said:
 ''The peace movement at it's incep- ClOu was u1Suly lOedl1SClC ana 10 the average Philistine was a thing of dreams and visions. Of late years it has become eminently practical and it's consummation is probable in the near future."
 Mrs. Lucia Ames Mead, of Boston, criticised Secretary Meyers recent statement that our navy was a cheap form of insurance costing. during our history "only s0.0012 of every dol lar of national wealth,
 'It is mischievous and misleading 9 she said. "The fact is, we are spend ing 70 cents out of every dollar of Federal revenue in paying for past war and in preparation for future war. leaving Congress but 30 cents of every dollar to alter National ex- penses. We are now spending for ar- maments ic time of peace as much as we spent for wnr 10 years ago. Marcus M. Marks member of the Roosevelt Industrial Peace Committee of the National Clothiers, made an ap- peal to businessmen to take a more ac- tive personal interest in the organ ized peace movement. Attention was called to the duty of men of affairs in cooperation with the professional men to promote practical work direct ed toward the perfection of an inter- national court of arbitration by him.