New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-03-18
SIR EDWARD GREY SEES
A POSSIBLE ALLIANCE
Not Offensive or Defensive. but
One of Sympathy in Case
of Attack.
MIGHT BE LEAGUE OF PEACE
Develops His Views on Arbitra-
ton Treaty with the United
States, and Praises Presi-
dent Taft Again.

London. March 1I.-Sir Edward Grey
further developed his views on interna-
tional arbitration at the annual dinner
tonight of the International Arbitration
League, and corrected some misappre-
tensions which had arisen regarding his
famous speech in the House OF COM
mons i'm which he gave support to the
suggestion of President Taft for an
Anglo-American treaty providing for the
settlement by arbitration of any ques-
ton that might arise between the two
governments.
Il observe" said the Foreign Secre-
tary. that some of the words tnat !
used the other day are being cohstrue'
as if a general arbitration treaty De-
tween two great nations would be tanta-
mount to a defensive alliance between
them. II a general arbitration treaty
were made between two great nations
and became firmly rooted in the feenrss
of the people of both countries, ana Il
one of them was, in the course Of 'iine'
made the object Of an attack in dls-
mite with a third power, in which arpi-
tration had been offered to and reicseu
bv A third power, certainly, ! 'hihh'
there would be strong sympathy ne
tween the two powers who had maze Tue
general arbitration treaty But that iS
q matter which depends upon pupiio
opinion ard in which public opinion VIII
take care of itself.
No Stipulation in Treaty.
Gro introduce any such condition or
stimulation into an arbitration 'red'S
would impair the chances OF 1t mere VI
elsewhere 1t might even lead other
countries to suppose that the arbitration
,roatv between the two powers was o'-
rooted against one or more Of the ot"''
nowers. That would completely spo' us
possihle effect in mitigating the general
cxpfndture on ornaments.
"If an arbitration treaty is maze pe-
,ween two great countries on the hncs
s,o,cbed ont as possible by the PreSi-
dent of the United States, let IT be oohe
betweer the two powers concerhe" WIN
,u, .arriAre rensec' bY-purposel. pu'
don,t let them set narrow BOUNDS "
u,o;r homes of the benefcont results
ubich may develop from " in the course
of ,imo-results which. | think. must en-
tend far beyond tho two countries oris-
inaHy concerned.
.The effect OH tho world at large OF
tho example would hc bound to nave
horofcent consequences. To set good
,>,,rnnle is to hope that others VIII foi-
low IT, and if others Of the great powers
did follow. there would eVen'ualiN W.
,.o,,,o.birg ike a league Of peace. 1hese
,,,,gs must however, make their way
hv their own weight. They cannot ne
forced There must be beginning ne
,,rc there can ho any progress an"
after beginning the rate ot '"r'"''
,rooress must depend on CIRCUMSTANCES
and uuon that obbing and h"Wins IN
mons feelings and ideas which escape
,raIvsis and which makes possible at
ono time things that are not possible "'
another. .
81 do not wish to cumher the idea "t
President Taft by too much speculation
man all that might follow from IT, pu'
,he thought Of the future possibilities
&C. an encouragement which should not
he grudged or denied.
Arbitration League Delighted
The International Arbitration League
., its session to-day sang psans in praise
of President Tafts suggestion for an
,nouaIifi6d Anglo o-American arbitration
,roatv and of Sir Edward Grcy's speech
in support OF II.
Lord Chancellor Loreburl VINO pre-
sided declared that when man VINO
hold an Office such as the Presidency VI
tho United States said what Presldeht
Taft had said he raised the hopes ot All
mankind. He expressed the hope that
the present would prove the turhihs
e,ir, IN history. If the great statesmen
af rho continent added their efforts TO
,ho movement it would be- great step
forward in the progress of human ciVi'-
zation.