New-York tribune., 1911-03-14
GREY FAV0RS TAFT'S
PEACE ARBITRATION
British Foreign Secretary Says
Such a Treaty Would Be
Heartily Welcomed.
COMMONS CHEERS SPEECH
Heavy Armaments Breakdown
of Civilization and May
End in International Rev.
olution, He Says.

London. March Is. Members Of the
coalition forces In Parliament are sub
ordinating everything to the veto bill.
and until that measure is made law
the government is in no danger OF defeat.
So much was made manifest during a
debate on arnaments Tonight.
Murray Macdonald. who led an attack
for the little navy" party. went over the
old ground that navy estimates were
rapidly increasing that the Liberals
were pledged to a reduction. and there
were no new facts in the international
situation justifying an augmentation.
Arthur \. W. II. Ponsonby. spruce.
dapper young Radical. who began poit-
teal life as Sir Henry Campbell Banner
when lie said that except for the over
whelming issue the constitutional ques-
ton. the government would be saved
II. division only by the votes of opposi-
tion Nationalists. who in former years
have glecfully joined in the game Of vot-
y.
sion faithfully adhered to the terms Of
the veto bill compact and gave no as
sistance whatever TO the Liberal mutt
neers.
Mr.. Balfour supported the government.
who eventually had big majority.
Sir Edward Grey, rising at late hour,
delivered a thoughtful. impressive speech
to large house. He showed how the
British naval policy must depend on the
German naval law, and delighted the
Liberals by welcoming President Taft's
sweeping proposals for a permanent
treaty for the arbitration of all ques-
tions between England and America.
He hinted that IL such a treaty were
proposed to this country by the United
states 1t would he welcomed. and prom
ised that as the consequences would be
50 farreaching in character ii would be
submitted to Parliament for ratification.
Reginald McKenna. First Lord Of the
Admiralty. in defence of his estimates
against attacks from certain quarters,
explained that in 1914 Great Britain
would have thirty and Germany twenty
one Dreadnoughts-not he said an un-
reasonable margin. The size of the Brit
ish navy. he added. practically was gov
erncd by that OF Germany and unless
some change occurred in the German
naval law this year would be- the high
water mark in the British estimates.
Sir Edward Grey. affirming Mr.. Nc
Kenna's statements, emphasized the cor
diality of Great Britain's foreign rela-
tjons and his earnest desire that nothing
should disturb these friendships. espc-
ciallv with Germany. He then dealt with
the difficulties to be encountered in the
disarmament question. and pointed out
that il was the most civilized nations
that spent the most on armaments. as
sorting that unless the mischief was
brought home 10 mems feelings as well
as their minds. the growth of armaments
must in the long run break down civiIiza-
ton.
Some thought the Secretary contin-
ned that il would end in war. He
thought more than probable that it
ANYWAY. the rivalry would not be stopped
Nv any single nation dropping out of the
race. Although Great Britain had
strong navy her army was small, and an
agreement with Germany needed careful
handling He was hopeful. however, that
something mi-ht be done. Any real linz
itation of armaments. he declared. must
oepend on nations learning. like individ
rails. to resort To law instead of force Of
arms lie referred to President Tafts
arbitration speech as bold courageous
and pregnant with consequence.
When sir Edward referred 10 the pos
sibility of the adoption Of i'resid
Taft's proposal he WAS listened To in
tense silence. II. he said. TWO I
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