Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-10-13
Speaks in Behalf of Mic.
araugua and Honduras
Treaties.
HELD HUI IMAM E POLICY
Republics Should Be Put on &
Sound Basis and Citizens
Relieved of Burden.

! Sacramento, Cal, Oct. 13.-President
Taft's first important speech in Cali
fornia was delivered here today from
the steps of the state capitol building
/ The president spoke in behalf of the
proposed treaties with Nicaragua and
Honduras, and vigorously defended the
policy of the administration, which. he
said. undertaking journals" labeled
dollar diplomacy" President Taft
said in part:
THE subject OF the ratification OF
treaties by the senate is frequently
confidential, and that prevents public
( discussion of the pros and cons which
might sometimes be useful. Treaties
are much less the subject of public
consideration than are statutes, and
yet when ratified they are as binding
upon all of us as statutes, because by
the constitution they become the law
of the land. In this respect they diff
fer from treaties OF other govern
ments, which are only International
contracts. Sometimes the senate re-
moves the injunction OF secrecy from
treaties and the discussion of their
merits. 1t is to certain treaties which
l have submitted to the senate, and
which that body has now published
and laid before You for consideration
and discussion, that / call your atten-
ton tonight. They are the treaties |
made with the republic of Honduras
and the republic OF Nicaragua, for the
purpose OF securing a loan to each of
THESE Central American republics.
FAVORED BY SENTIMENT.
1--WE have heard a great deal dur
ing the past six months in favor OF
general arbitration treaties for the pro-
motion of the peace of the world. 1
believe there has been of late more
genuine expression OF sentiment
among all the people of the earth for
peace than ever before in the worlds
history. The craving for some effec-
tive means OF promoting peace grows
not SO much out of actual war as out
of the desperation with which the
great nations are increasing the stu
pendous burden of armies and arma-
ment, making Europe an armed camp.
with the growing menace of bank
ruptcy
The fact IS that we have had very
little war in the last 25 years. and one
of the reasons has been the rivalry in
preparation for war and the certainty
OF financial disaster to some nations
which must follow.
Among these great nations there rs
the conservatism OF domestic stability
and the law-abiding character OF the
population. Universal treaties OF arbi-
tration for such countries are OF the
highest importance as probably fur
nishing a means by which all may be
induced ultimately to reduce their ar
maments, when It shall become appar-
ent that arbitration is real and prac-
tical substitute for war
INTERNAL STRIFE.
T would not therefore minimize
the importance of such treaties In the
ultimate cause OF peace but / wish
to point out that at present wars chief
ly arise, not between well-ordercd ma
tions having welI-armed, wel-recruIt-
ed and welldsciplined forces. but
out OF internecine strife. They grow out
of the rebellion or revolution Of part
Of a people against the constituted au-
thoTity OF the other part. They pro-
ceed from the lack Of stability Of gov
and cupidity and the ambition
Of partisan leaders among the people.
There are countries where the occup8-
ton OF a reyolutionist has become
and the unhappy common
people of such "A country have no time
for peaceful pursuits, and perfOrce are
driven into guerrilla warfare for mere
self protection. Starvation succeeds
plenty in countries as productive as
any in the world. The institutions Of
civil liberty. If they were inaugurated
under a high-sounding constitution,
cease 10 exist, revolutions follow each
1ther in rapid succession, the finances
1f the government are in hopeless con
-usion. and II is a stretch Of the imag-
nation to call what little authority re
mains a government at all. Such has
been the fate OF some OF the Central
American republics. Lying between
Mexico on the north and the Isthmns
IF Panama on the south they have had
he benefit Of all the wealth that ma
.ure with a generous hand can bestOw,
ana If only peace could De secured Tor
me or two decades. prosperity wc2id
.ngue. II has been exceedingly dihi-
.uIt. however. 10 preserve peace, be-
,ause unscrupuloJs and ambitious a.
,enturers leading a revolution IN one
country excite disturbance in another.
honduras and Nicaragua are now tho