The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1911-07-26
MAKES PLEA
FOR PEACE
Taft in Speech Near Scene Of
Battle of Bull Run, Stirs
Veterans
MANY MISHAPS DELAY
AUTOS FROM CAPITOL
Pull Out Stranded Auto Contain
ing Senators and Representa-
tives From Stream; Major Butt
Goes Barefooted

MANASSAS, Va. July 21.-Mud-
bespatered after t.ffic.lt trip from
Washington by aItoraobIie over
President Taft .oJa5 faced an AUDI
ence made up in part of veterans
who wore the blue and the gray
within few miles OF the scene of the
first great conn..;t Of the civil war
and was applauded and ch,er.I when
he made d plea for International
peace. The president declared the
general arbitration treaties with
Great Britain ami France probab'y
would be signed within ten days. He
added he hoped within the next few
days to announce that three other
great powers would enter similar
agreements with The United States
He did not indicate what nations he
referred to, but it was generally be-
lieved he meant Germany, Italy and
the Netherlands
The president reached Manassas at
shutdown. The party abandoned
motor cars here and returned to the
capital by train and Taft laughingly
likened his troubles in getting to Bull
Run to those some folk experienced
fifty years ago in getting away. rhe
presidents trip from Washington to
Manassas would nave thrilled the
heart Of a moving picture man. lie
left the trail OF s.fandel automo-
biles in his wake, male perlious
voyages across streams out OF their
banks, and stopped on his way to
rescue party OF narUoncd senators,
laughingly demanding votes for re-
cprocity as his reward
Auto AiarUpncd
When the president started from
Washington the Sun was shining but
sun clouds began to gathe.. During
the deluge that followed the presi-
dent stopped at tae Fairfax court
house and looked at Washington's
last testament Five miles cat of
Fairfax the presidents car mounted
hill, dipped into valley, and dis
covered a big touring car in the
middle of the stream. In /; were
Senators Nelson. Bacon and Over
man. and Solicitor General Lehman.
Senator Brandege, the owner had
gone ahead to secure the services OF
a horse or two 70 pull it out. Major
Butt, the president personal aide,
took q look at the stream and another
at his shiny yellow boots. Then the
boots came off and the major was
in a torrent up to his waist. Finally
he waded back and announced lie
thought the car could cross He got
back in, and as the car passed Brand
eyes machine the president sravely
saluted. On the further bank a wait
was made until Brandege's car was
hauled out and Senator Nelson was
taken into the presidents car. He
took a glance at his less fortunate
colleagues, sat back comfortably and
took a fresh chew of tobacco. Two
miles further on the scene was re-
peated Butt got out again and
waded around to his arm pits. He
came back disconsolate
Farmers Agape
\ few neighborhood farmers with
their wives were also checked in their
efforts to get to Manassas. They
lC CiSed al the president in awe and at
tire major in amusement. Hasn't ne
got handsome feet?" said one. Back
over the route they had travelled the
White House car retraced its way and
detouring sought another road to
the battle field. Major Butt hung his
socks on the windshield of the presi-
dents car. At times he was almost
forced to stop the car to quiet fright
ened horses. as is required by the
Virginia law Representative Carlin
alternated with the major in calming
horses and trying to look happy.
When the president finally chugged
into Manassas, Senators Martin and
Nelson. Representative Carlin, Secre-
tary Hilles and Major Butt with his
boots on again. were the only sur
vivors Of large encourage of officials
and secret service men that had
started to accompany the president
from Washington.