The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-04-28
Premier Asquith.

ster, Lord Loreburn. the lord high
chancellor; Lord StrathcOna, high com
missioner of Canada; Sir Joseph G.
Ward, premier of New Zealand, and
other nOtableS. over their heads the
union jack and stars and stripes were
entwined.
Mr.. Asquith and Mr.. Balfour spoke
eloquently of the treaty first proposed
by President Taft declaring that it
would mark a new era in civilization,
peace pact between Great Britain and
the United States providing for the
submission of all differences to arbi-
tration would mean an alliance between
the two countries.
Mr.. BalfOur warned his hearers, than
whom, he said, none in the world felt
more the burden of preparing for war.
that the treaty would not mean the
immediate reduction of armaments.
The meeting represented the democ-
racy of England rather than the aris-
tOcracy. Among those on the platform
were the bishop of Hereford, the earl
of Aberdeen. lord lieutenant of Ireland;
Sir George II. Reed, high commission
ers of Australia; agents of all the Brit
ish colonies, along with representatives
of banks the territories and steamship
companies of England. Premier As
quith said in part:
Practical Statesmanship.
met to recognize and welcome has not
been organized or engineered by the
apparatus of diplomacy. The seed
which the president of the United
States cast fell on ground prepared to
receive it. That which a few years
ago, even a few months ago, might
have been regarded as the dream of
idealists has not only passed into the
domain of practical craftsmanship but
has become the settled purpose of two
great democracies.
THE profound significance of the
new departure is that between Great
Britain and the United States whatever
the gravity of the issue and the magni-
tude of the interests involved; whatever
the poignancy of the feelings it aroused
there Will be a feeling of abandonment
of war as possible solution and the
substitution of argument for force: and
the suppression by judicial methods
of the old ordeal of battle" After de-
claring that no menace to the rest of
mankind was implied and no ANGLO
American alliance aggressive or de-
fensive provided the premier contin-
ued:
But we may hope and believe that
other things will follow. 1t is not foe
us to dictate or to preach to other ma
tions but If the United States and
Great Britain renOunce war a step will
be taken of immeasurable and incon1
parable significance in the onward pro-
gress of humanity
Asquith's Resolution,
Mr.. Asquith then moved the follow
ing resolution:
THAT this meeting of citizens Of
London assembled in the guild hall cor
daily welcomes the proposal of the
United States in favor of a general
treaty of arbitration between that
country and the British empira and
pledges its support to the principles If
such a treaty as serving the highest
interests of the two nations and as
tending to promote the peace of the
world"
There was tremendous applause wbicr
continued until Mr.. Ralfour rose tC
second the resolution. The opnosi+ior
leader said that Anglo-American arbj.
tratton seemed nearer fruition at tbis
moment than ever. Some he said re,
garded it as an ideal dream and he.
leved that when the clash of conflict.
ing interests came all paper barrier,
would be swept away, and he contin.
ued:
1T is true that it is folly to max,
international law go far in advann,