The weekly Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1911-1922, 1911-07-27
OPINIONS 0F-4Hf PRESS
World Pace.
Chicago Evening Post.)

up a tentative outline for an agree
ment submitting all matters of inter-
rational friction to arbitration. Even
matters "of vital intrest and hon.
or" are to be referred to board
which may declare them arbitrable.
Copies of the agreement have been
given not only to the two powers d.
r city concerned. but also to Ambas-
sador Juserand, representing the
French republic. France thus comes
out publicly as a possible convert to
complete arbitration.
Further. the United States has an
nounced that the terms of the pro-
posed agreement constitute a basis
upon which this country is prepared
to enter into negotiations with any
power desiring to do So. And the
German government has been made
aware that "the same proposition is
open to Germany if that country is
Interested
The Anglo-Japanese treaty has
been modified so as to eliminate the
obligation upon England to take is
sue with the United States in the
event of a war between this country
md Toxic. Tn. London and in Wash
ineton this is taken as informal mott
fication that Japan is willing to be-
come signatory to tripratite
complete arbitration" treaty.
1t is not too much. then, TO say
that the present is singularly cru
c'al moment in the movement toward
international peace. ENGLAND. Amer
lea. France. Germany and Japan
the five leading powers in the world
TODAY have before them a definite
proposal for Nthe substitute of arbi-
tration for wa.
What has to be done to turn these
majestic possibilities into fact ?What
can the peace advocates do now to
nut into action international usage
the principles in which they believe |?
Evidently. the first step is to make
absolutely sure of the ratification of
the Taft-Knox-Bryce treaty of ar
bitration between the United States
and England. For upon this first
step seems TO hang tie action of the
other first-rank nations.
Ratification now seems practically
sure In America President Taft has
the hearty support of all the people
in his proposal for this most modern
extension of the gospel Of arbitra-
| tion There is no party division over
it; there is really no note of oppo-
sition to it. Even Col Roosevelt s
well-intended hint not to 60 too far
or too fast has been rejected. in a
general reaffirmation of faith in his
successor. Tt is almost uncomfortable
that the senate could reject the
treaty.
In the same way. England stands
practically committed to the adop-
ton of the agreement. When Presi-
dent Taft first enunciated his belief
that there was nothing which a ma
ton could not honorablv arbitrate.
quick answer came in the form of
Sir Edward Grey's epoch-making
speech to the house of commons.
Since then. in the great Guildhall
meeting both Asquith and Balfour.
the prime minister and the leader
of the opposition have formally
stated their approval. England is On
record.
certainty on both sides of the At
certainty on beth sides Of the At
lantie. it is not for the peace advo-
Gates to take it absolutely for grant
ed or to miss any of the sentimental
advantage which it may bring to
their cause. And the first and most
dramatic opportunity that presents
itself today appears to lie In the
possibility that King George of Eng
land. may visit Canada on his re-
turn from his forthcoming visit to
India.
Cannot there be personal meet
ing in the interests of the great new
principle of arbitration between the
king of England and the president
of the United States?
The suggestion may have senti-
mental sound But. as Sir Edward
Grew said at the Carnegie banquet
in London. world peace. more than
any other extra-national movement,
| is a matter of sentiment. Were
King George and Mr. Taft to come
| together on the Canadian boundary
line. as Taft and Diaz came together
on the Rio Grande. and we're they to
give mutual Endorsement of the
principles involved in the Knox
Rrvce treaty. nothing could prevent
the ADOPTION of that treaty.
/ More than This the attention of
the whole civilized world would be
Ieentered unop the treaty and supon
its true significance to mankind.
And bv so mich would It Re m"da