Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1911-03-23
ALL ENGLAND TALKS
and HOPES PEACE
Taft and Grey Struck Re.
SpORSiVG Chord
Especial London Correspondence OF
New York Sum-

question of AnglO-AmeTican arbltra-
ton has put all other topics OF dis
cussion in the background for week,
Such a a suggestion put forward II
such a manner and by such man as
Sir Edward Grey would at any time
appeal at once to the imagination Of
any generous minded people, and his
appeal from this point of view met with
an immediate response the heartiness
of which seems to be increasing daily.
Sir Edwards original speech, how
ever contained one point which more
thoughtful people Immediately declar
ed would spell failure for an otherwise
grand idea. This was the suggestion
that an arbitration agreement might
be followed by a further agreement be-
tween the two nations to join against
a third that refused to accept arbitra-
ton. 1t is evident that Sir Edward
soon realized that this is a mistake
and in last nights speech he took caro-
to explain it away
Though the general suggestion meets
with approval in this country, there is
a certain minority which strongly OPP
poses it and the criticism of these
opponents are of varying shades 1t is
not necessary to devote more than a
word to the type of critic represented
by the Saturday Review which re-
feTs to Sir Edwards speech as tine
usual claptrap about England and
America" and quite dithyrambic
driyel about peace" The more mod
crate critics express fear that the idea
is too millennial for the present day.
These hold with NeIidoff, who at The
Hague in 1907 declared that there was
q whole series of cases in which the
honor dignity and other essentials
were concerned upon which nations
as well as individuals, never recognize
other authority than their own judg-
n7ent These critics, however, applaud
the idea while doubling its present
practicability.
Regarding this very impracticability
otherwise friendly critics expires:
doU3ts amounting to disbelief in tn.
likelihood of the United States con
senting to such an agreement They
point out that among the chief stumbl
ing blocks is the hostility of the Ger
man oDd Jr;eb ADooricoDc who +hav
declare constitute the most homogen
eous bodies of public opinion in Amer
lea.
They also see a difficulty in tn
Anglo-Japanese alliance, but optimist
declare that the Home Rule difficult
win soon be out Of the way dissipat
ing at once the opposition of the Iris
Americans. They add the Anglo-Jap
anese treaty expires in 1915 and if r9
newed a clause can be inserted re
garding the relations of England ant
America. 1t is a simple matter, 4
English opinion is not favorable t.
the Japanese alliance as it was.
AT any rate, it is pointed out,
would not be allowed to stand between
any important agreement that wa
wanted by Great Britain and the Unit
ed States.
1t is quite natural though perhap
illogical that in all the discussion o
this topic the one country that is no
concerned in arbitration between Eng
land and America is most often men
tened, and that country is Germany
1t is accepted here now as common
place that war between England ant
the United States is unthinkable ait,
the arbitration agreement which il
foreshadowed is unnecessary to ayoiC
any conflict, but is greatly desirable
as clinching peace between the TIVE
greatest nations in the world and Il
affording an example to the rest.
An arbitration agreement betweel
Germany and England would do NOR
to insure the worlds peace than any
thing else Imaginable But it is be
lieyed here that it is hopeless even +
think of an Anglo-German agreement
on such all embracing lines.
The Spectator gives an enthusiast
welcome to the Taft-Grey scheme, BIT
without mentioning Germany clearl
indicates its position. 1t says:
arbitration is for satisfied Pow
e-s. - - An ambitious, restles
or unsatisfed Power does not want ,
preserve the status quo.
We should suggest arbitration to sue
Q Power she would regard it as tn
Cffe" of a cord to tie her hands. 'Yo
have already seized most of the d.
lectable places she would say.
came too late. You ask me to adm
that | can never have a place undo
the sun 1t may be difficult, but "
shall not abandon hope"
But critics or no critics, England
Europe, the words of Taft and Gre
have struck a responsive chord
this country and nothing but good ca
result.
1t is to hope, though hope We lost
Mrs Barbauld.