The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1911-10-13
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to be step forward toward the end
of securing permanent peace among
the nations, and eventual disarma-
ment, and described how, at a meet
ing of the Arbitral society held in
Washinton he had presented his plan
for an arbitration court for the ma
tions. The French ambassador, who
was present at the meeting, said that
his government would join the United
| States in such a treaty, and the arbl-
tration treaty with France was the
result. The English ambassador told
him that the English people would
also approve of such a treaty, ana
when the matter was presented be-
fore the British parliament, Arthur
Balfour, leader of the opposition,
gave his hearty support to the treaty,
as did all classes OF people in Great
Britain.
These treaties, the president said,
were now pending before the senate,
and while some of tn senator's SEEM
ed to be under the impression that
the adoption of the treaties might
deprive the senate or its members OF
some time-hOnored power, yet he be-
lieved the principle was correct one
and one that will win in the end.
Mr.. Taft's speech was along the
same lines as those he had made be-
fore on the subject of arbitration,
but he explained in new and hu>
morous wsy his failure to understand
the attitude of those who oppose his
treaties.
Plea to the People
The president referred to the earn
estness with which the purpose of ar
bitration between the nations had
been entered into by him. I'm all
disputes" said the president, zone
must be wrong and the other right;
one side must be defeated, but the
point must be reached that each will
abide the decision of the arbitration
committee before the work Of the
commission can be effective; and ma
tions must agree that they will do
su before they consent to the agree
ment. shall continue to plead with
the people, and with the senators
who oppose for reasons named the
treaties, and / believe in my heart
that the adoption of these treaties
will be real step toward permanent
peace"
That every reasonable thing should
be done by men and nations to avert
cruel war was the firm belief express
ed by the President. He explained
that in older days, when the code
duello prevailed 1t was the custom
for two men to each make himself
the target for the others bullets in
order to satisfy his honor" The man
who fired bullet into his opponents
body had his honor thoroughly salts
fed, but the man who was hit was
still further disgraced. When ma
tional honor is at stake, two nations
meet on the field of battle. The side
which has the strongest army, the
best disciplined men and the best
sharp-shooters upheld its honor. The
weaker side, even though with the
right on its side, invariably suffers
defeat.
Might Makes Right
mo great questions are settled by
war. The only question involved Is
which side has the biggest guns, ths
most ships and the most warlike
men,
"It is the great mass of the people,
the commoners, the poor people, who
inevitably suffer worse from war.
They pay the heavy taxes, furnish
sons to be slain and toll with sweaty
brow for years to rebuild the awfuf
hovac wrought by war"
The presidents address occupied
about 80 minutes, and at is conclu~
sion Mr.. Taft was loaded into an au-
to and whirled direct to his waiting
train.