The Topeka state journal., 1911-09-07
~ III UEEO 81
ThePresIdent WithOutReferring
to Col. Roosevelt Directly
Replies to His Editorial on
Arbitration Treaties.
HOPE OF THE WORLD
He Says Other Countries Are
Looking to Us
To Free Them From the Bur-
dens of Armies.
HOPE OF THE WORLD

Hartford. Sept President Taft
F IS such familiar figure n Connec-
Ilcut- that he spoke today ike one
renewing old acquaintance He dealt
{ technicaIfties OF the arbitration
treaties with England and France
which now await the approval OF the
American senate Perhaps the most
significant part OF his address was as
I follows
The majority OF the senate COM
Eaittee On foreign relations say they
cannot consent that somebody else
shall decide for them whether q ques-
ton arising IN the future IS within
the provisions Of the first article Of
this treaty that for them to do so is
TO delegate their power 10 another
T tribunal and IS TO bind themselves
! by an obligation which they have no
power TO assume
It is the view Of the minority.
however. and with that view am
earnestly in accord that the issue
whether q future difference shall be
within the terms OF the description OF
article I. of the treaty IS an iuterua-
tional question arising out Of a con-
srructiOu Of the treaty under e claim
Of right BY one Of the parties TO an
arbitration and IS 4 question, there
fore that the president and senate
acting as treaty making power have
the right TO agree by treaty to sub
nit to a tribunal for final judgment
IN what different way is the treaty
/ Kleaz1IS power invoked W161 we ask
the senate 70 concur in treaty which
agrees TO submit AL 5ustieiah1e differ
e1ceS 10 arbitration and when II :
asked TO agree 70 submit % arbitration
the question whether G difference arts
ing is justicia bic or not under the
treaty2 I confess that I can not see
Ihe distinction Norway and Sweden
have made an agreement 70 settle all
df1erencss EXCEPT those OF vital inter
az- nd r1- -t--7F =sz7tl
10 The Hague tribunal and they have
further agreed that when they differ
IS TO whether the controversy arising
Is arbftrahle under the treaty or is
question tc the board Of arbitration
for It's final decision
Attitude OF the Senate.
Now II understand the attitude
Ct the mzjorit IF the senate commit
tee it is that they have 10 power and
therefore the government mas no power
70 enter into 4 treaty by which We shall
agree to submit TO a third psrsons con-
st1tuIing an Independent tribunal the
question whether We are bound under
q treaty 10 abide the judgment Of the
tribunal as 70 particular issue
The treaty making power under the
constitution II las been decided by the
supreme court. hardly knows definition
or law II IS one of the broadesI pow
ers conferred by the constitution and
u IS conferred on the executive and the
senate Certainly it IS not IN the in
L rest OF the cause Of peace that that
EoWer should be limited IN such q way
that other governments may make
treaties Of this kind and We may not
The ideal toward which we are al
working with these treaties IS the ulL1-
mate esta abIishnenI of an arbItral court
to which we shall submit our InIernA-
rfouaI controversy with the same free
dom I'D the same dependence on the
as IN case Of domestic courts
Il the senate cannot bind itself to sub
nit questions OF jurisdiction arising
under the treaty as Norway and Swed-
IN have done. for instance. then th7
prospect of real and substantial pro-
gress is more discOuraglng-
Senate's Position Is Unfortunate
4 cali your attention 70 the IN
fortunate CONSEQUENCES not only 10 our
selves but TO the whole civilized world,
nor only for today, but for ages 10
come If the final adoption OF this rea-
s1ufu~ by the senate committee IS 10
r7ravafl Steadily throughout the world
me burden Of the creation Of armies
and fleets has grown heavier and
heavier. steadily the competition mas
grown more fierce and Is crushing ths
life and the hopes of the people
But steadily. TOO, and OF late even
more raufdIv has grown the hope that
found. that IN some measure al least
the peaceful methods OF setting uls-
putes among individual men may oo-
tain among the nations
Now. wherever good men ana
-rorr7au the world over are longing and
n-svfnx for the dawn of this great day
81 peace. their eyes turn 10 the great