New-York tribune., 1911-02-12
Arguments That Business
World Holds Valid Sustain
Mr.. Tafvs Position.

and concentration OF effort 10 obtain ccu-
s,doration and recognition in the steps
taken by governments 70 solve the great
economic problems which intimately
affect the conditions OF their life. Il does
not take q prophetic vision or an extFaor-
binary imagination to foresee tha: in the
world at large commerce has become king.
and that the inherent force Of economic
law and the intertependence OF nations
thereon VIII. in time. force the abandon
ment Of war between nations. and OF the
drain and waste imposed by the mainten-
ance of enormous nayies and armies. Tho
cost Of these represented in the budget Of
ns tions, stupendous as 1t is. is only frac-
,ion OF the real cost and waste. from an
economic point OF view. In keeping out or
active productive lie millions Of men phys
ically best adapted 10 be producers, ana
in the destruction OF thousands Of such
lives when war prevails.
/ Notwithstanding the rapid strides
/ which the realization OF these ideas has
made ana the ever increasing force with
which economic necessity will continue I"
press toward the ultimate goal years VIII
undoubtedly elapse before the security or
universal peace can be reached Credit IL
/ the most sensitive element upon which 4
/ commerce is based, and the security or
property is as essential as the element or
/ credit. and must be as assured as the in
/ tegritv of nations or principals. II COM (
merce is to be free and untrammelled.
/ which is essential for the best develop
I ment OF international trade, every security
| for it's protection against attack should be
provided until such time as adequate pro-
visions for universal peace prevail.
IF fortifying the Panama Canal were
1 solely a question OF defending the terri
tory OF the United States against possible
aggression. I should consider II unwar-
ranted. unnecessary and wasteful As n,
moral assurance OF protection TO the trade
and commerce Of this and other countries
using the canal I consider it. in existing
conditions OF international comfy, wise
| and necessary preceding. accept with
out reserve the positive declarations OF s."
eminent a jurist and statesman as Presi-
dent Taft. that not only IL no treaty being
evaded or violated bu; that definite all
! thority and justification exists under ex-
istinR trades for fortifying the canal
/ Andrew Carnegie. business man and peace
advocate. recently said: mo nation dis
putes our right to fortify: our right is as
clear as our right to fortify New York or
New Orleans. but IL Is not warlike prof.
ect. being purely defensive. These forts, II
built. will never fire a shot unless the canal
is In danger from an enemy-an enemy
which would be the enemy of other nations
as well as ours because injury TO the canal
would mean serious interference with the
world's commerce.
Many friends OF peace are urging that
non-fortihcation would be great message
.of peace 70 the whole world. a splendid
proof that the world is really advancing
toward the abolition OF war and proof that
the United States Republic can trust other
nations 10 respect neutrality. / have no
doubt this would have been the case. and
, that the effect Of non-fortihcation would
, have been profound but since It is other
r wise decided for reasons satisfactory to our
! President who is foremost in the great
: peace movement now upon us, We must
z realize that sound reasons exist for his
\ decision"