New-York tribune., 1911-01-22

TO protect the canal, not only for our
own use and for the worlds commerce.
but for the use Of England and her war
ships as a means Of passage? In other
words we have 10 preserve tnat canai
as a means of transit TO belligerents IN
time of war as long as we are ourselves
not engaged in the controversy.
But IL is said that we could lnduce all
the powers 10 come in and consent TO the
neutrality OF the canal as treaty obli-
CATION. I should be glad TO do this, II
POSSIBLE. but even II we do this, can we
feel entirely safe by reason OF that
agreement from possible injury TO the
canal by some irresponsible belligerent,
at least under conditions as they now
are?
Then II is said that the fortifications
are going 10 cost s50,000,000. This is an
error The estimated cost OF the fortif-
cations for the canal Is s12.000,0o0. That,
| submit. constitutes hardly more than
per cent of the cost of the canal-a
first premium for insuring its safety that
is not excessive.
The Cost Of Insurance Low.
It is also said that it will cost 5000
600 a year TO maintain H. This is also
an error. | have consulted the War
Department, and they advise me that
the addition 10 the annual government
cost OF maintenance OF fortifcations and
military establishment in time of peace,
due to the fertilization Of the canal,
would not exceed half a million dollars
an annual insurance rate after first cost
OF a tenth Of ! per cent.
The case ot the SueZ Canal furnishes
no analogy whatever In the first place,
the Suez Canal is nothing but ditch in
desert, incapable Of destruction, and,
even when obstructed. II can be cleared
within a very short time. The Panama
Canal by the destruction OF the gate
locks, could be put out of commission
for two years, and the whole commerce
OF the world made TO suffer therefrom.
Again, the land through which the
Suez Canal runs is not in the jurisdic-
tion of England or of any one of the five
powers. Many nations partake In the
ownership OF the canal, and it Is not
within the control Of any single nation.
The circumstances under which the Pan
anna Canal has been building. the own
ership of the strip and one Of the main
purposes for which it was constructed,
are very different, and make it exactly
as If it were a canal cut through the
narrow part of Florida.
1t is on American soil, and under
American control. and it needs our for
tifcations for national defence just as
much as the city Of New York needs
Notifications, and there is the additional
reason that we ought to have them in
order to perform our international obli-
cations.
international Arbitration.
I yield 10 no one in my love Of peace.
in my hatred OF war and i'm my earnest
desire 10 avoid war ! believe that we
have made great strides toward peace
l. 1 n
know Of goes further in favor of settling
international controversies by arbitration
than ! do, and If I have my way and am
able 10 secure the assent Of other powers
I shall submit 10 the Senate arbitration
treaties broader I'm their terms than any
that that body has heretofore ratified
and broader than any that now exist be-
tween the nations.
In laying down my office. | could leave
no greater claim TO the gratitude of my
countrymen than to have secured such
treaties. But ] cannot permit myself in
the enthusiastic desire to secure univer-
sal peace to blind myself to the posi-
bilities OF war. We have not reached the
time when we can count on the settle
ment of all international controversies by
the arbitration Of a tribunal.
] welcome most highly the rapidly in
creasing ranks 5f the advocates of
peace They Rp TO form A public
opinion of the world that Is, with APP
preciable progress. forcing nations to
settlement Of quarrels by negotiat-
ing or peace tribunal. When adjudi-
cation by arbitra court shall be ac-
cepted. the motive for armament will
disappear. But we cannot hope to bring
about such condition for decades.
War Still Possibility.
Meantime. we must face the facts and
see conditions as they are. Some earnest
advocates of peace weaken their ad-
vocacy by failing to do this War is
still a possibility. and a President, SEN
stor or Congressman who ignores it as
something against which proper precau-
tions should be taken subjects himself
In time Of peace 10 the Just criticism of
all reasonable men, and when war
comes and finds the nation unprepared.
10 the unanimous condemnation Of his
indignant fellow countrymen.
In introducing President Taft, Mr..
Beck said
This is great dinner. II IS the great
est dinner ever given by the Pennsylvania
Society. The impressive size of this din
ner. however. Is not due wholly, or even
principally, 10 the loyal love Of expatriated
Pennsylvanans for the noble common
wealth Of their nativity. This dinner Is at
once a tribute Of respect and an expression
OF affection. A tribute Of respect which we. /
in common with all true Americans. feel
for the President of the United States A
tribute Of affection which we, in common
with all who know him, feel for the fine
Of William Howard Taft.
Mr.. Beck paid many compliments to !
Ohio, which he said, exceeded in the |
matter Of politicians and oflceholders |
ell other states, though Pennsylvania |
ranged very near IT, Mr.. Beck then /
continued
The PENNSYLVANIA Society is greatly hon
ored tonight in having as its guest the