Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-01-22

NEW YORK. January 21.-President
Taft tonight began in earnest his cam
paign for the fortification Of the Panama
canal. His entire speech at the annual
banquet Of the Pennsylvania Society in
New York was devoted to this subject.
He has high hopes that Congress at this
session will declare In his favor and ap-
propriate 100000 to begin the work.
In the Senate. the President has been
told, the sentiment In favor OF fortifioa-
ton is almost two to one. The House
seems pretty evenly divided. but not
along partisan lines. Most OF the MANI
bers appear to have an open mind, how
ever. and are willing to be convinced By
the side that makes the better presenta-
ton of its case.
President Taft will bring all Of his ins
fluence to bear in favor Of Notifications.
In his speech tonight he said that there
were absolutely no treaty obligations in
the. way OF fortifying the canal; that the
United States had every right and reason
to protect what was purely an American
waterway.
Strong Lover Of Peace.
The President said he yielded to no
IudA III Ills lOtc Ol peace ana ndlTc0 OK
war. He said he hoped to submit soon
to the Senate arbitration treaties OF a
better nature than ever had come be-
fore that body or any other legisla-
tive body Of the world. At the same
time Mr.. Taft cautioned his hearers
that universal peace was still a long
way off and he could not conceive Of
any patriotic American being willing
to allow an attacking force free and
~, ,ct.
built by Americans largely as an in
strument for the defense of their coun-
try.
The Presidents visit to New York
was a flying one. He left Washington
shortly after noon today and VIII be
back in the capital early tomorrow
morning. 1t was his first trip under
the North river, through the new tubes
and he was keenly interested in them,
as well as in the huge new station
at 7th avenue.
From the station he went direct to
the Hotel Astor for the Pennsylvania
Society dinner. At the conclusion OF his
address there, he looked in at the an
nual dinner Of the New York Press
Club at the Hotel Martinique and made
q second address. this time informal.
then hurried to his train.
Introduced by Mr.. Beck.
In introducing the President James NJ.
Beck. president of the Pennsylvania So
ciety of New York, said. in part:
1.-The Pennsylvania Society is greatly
honored tonight in having as its guest
the President of the United States. A
custom has grown up since the Spanish
American war Of having toast to the
President at every public dinner. 1t at
tests the fact that the President 10 not
President of part, but the President or
A. IN fry has ypss
had more occasion for what Is called tho
royal toast than this country, for no un-
worthy man has yet held the office or
President OF the United States.
"For me to sound the praises or the
present occupant OF that exalted Office
in his presence would be In questionable
taste Suffice 1t to say that the real need
Of this country is class or educated
men who. without thought or personal
gain, will give their talents TO the need
OF the country. Our generation has known
no higher example of this unselfish con.
secration to public service than the DIS.
tinRuished guest whom We are so highly
honored to greet tonight.
President Taft said:
Right to Fortify Unassailable.
"I am glad to be here and am glad to
know that SO much Of the energy, the en-
terprise and the intelligence OF New York
has been contributed by the sons Of viii.
liam Penn. William Penn was in favor
of peace. So, too, are the men of Penn.
sylvania. But I assume that they are
practical men, who do not lose sight Of
facts and existing conditions In an ecs
stasy of hope and utopian enthusiasm.
"I am going to invite yolr attention %
the question now pending In Congress al
to whether the Panama canal ought to be
fortified. cannot think that any cares
full person will read the record OF his.
torfcal facts treaties and acts of Con.
gress and diplomatic negotiations with.
out conceding the full right of the United
States to fortify the canal. But mems
ories are short. records are not always
At hand, and without In the slightest de-
gree conceding that the existence OF the
full right Of the United States to fortify
her own property on the isthmus 10 q
the slightest doubt, venture before cons