The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1911-04-07
ABOLITION OF WAR
NOT A OREM OF THEORISTS

Washington, d. c., March 90
The abolition of war is not dream
of theorists but the practical end
of practical plan, which according
to President Taft today promises to
mark one of the very greatest steps
in the history of the world, through
the medium of arbitration The pres
ident has taken the lead in the great
movement of the nations looking to-
yard the realization of a hope which
| found its inception in the year one
A. d. Through a special interview
granted by the President, the United
Press today is able to present for
the first time his views on this pro-
ject. Under the unwritten law OF
the White House the President is
not directly quoted, but in the fol-
| lowing an earnst effort is made to
reproduce his opinions as he express
ed them:
Arbitration will surely come as the
means of settling International dis
putes. Disarmament is incidental.
1t will follow as a matter of course
and has no part in the movement.
The realization of arbitration will
make armament useless and when it
is useless it will disappear. The way
to dispose Of armament is to provide
some means of settling information
al disputes without the use of arma-
ment. When that is accomplished
it will be time enough to think of
disarmament.
The first step in the formation of
an arbitration treaty with Great
Britain. The favorable manner in
which the suggestion has been re-
ceived in Great Britain speaks well
for its early accomplishment.
The favorable Endorsement in
France is another indication that the
time is ripe. When several big ma
lions get together with such treaties
then the others will observe how the
new system works and all will come
in. The matter will be taken up i'm
mediately.
Secretary Of State Knox and Am
bassador Bryce probably will ex-
change ideas and the treaty will be
worked out SO that it may be submit
ted to the senate at the earliest pos
sible time compatible with careful
preparation. 1t is right that the
United States should take the first
step in this movement The hearty
response with which the new plan
has been received is an indication of
this while the exact details are in
formative state, they will soon be
worked out
The arbitration treaty must not be
confused with an alliance. 1t dis
tinctly is not an alliance. 1t is an
agreement between two nations to
settle disputes arising between them
and would have no bearing whatever
upon the dispute between one of the
parties and a third power.
The present prize court is the first
evidence of the general movement
toward world wide arbitration. The
settlement of the Newfoundland fish
cries dispute between the United
States and England at The Hague
was one of the most important events
of present times. A dispute that had
been standing for years was disposed
of with the exception of certain de-
tails which are to be worked out by
a joint commission.
The prize court will be developed
into an arbitration court and will
represent the modern method of
dealing with international affairs
The immediate, and at present, all
important step, however, is the &C
complishment of an arbitration trea-
ty with England
An effort will be made to have it
ratified at the coming session Of
congress. Then will come similar
treaties with other nations as rap
idly as circumstances permit.
With such treaties in effect be-
tween England, France and the Uni
ted States, the great purpose would
be near completion and the rest
would come as matter of course.
1t is an actual, practical proposition
that promises realization.