The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-03-27
Mr.. TAFT TALKS ON
UNIVERSAL PEACE.
Says Arbitration Will Event.
ually Bring About Disuse
of Armament
ENGLISH TREATY IS
NOT AN A LANCE
"
Present Peace Movement Not
a Dream, Says President,
But of Most Practi-
cal Character
Copyright. 1911. by the United Press
Associations

Copyright. 1911. by the United Press
Associations.s
WASHINGTON. ID. c., March 27.---
The abolition OF war Is not the dream
of theorists, but the practical end OF
practical plan, which, according to
President Taft. to-day 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 a great
movement of the nations looking to-
ward the realization OF a hope which
found Its inception in the year l,
A. ID.
Through a special interview, grant
ed by the President, the United Press
to-day is able to present for the first
time his views on this project. I'm
der the unwritten law of the White
House. the President cannot be d.
rectiy quoted, but in the following an
earnest effort Is made to reproduce
his opinions as he expressed them:
Arbitration will surely come al the
means of settling International dis
putes. Disarmament Ii Incidental II
Will follow as matter OF course,
and has no part in the present move
ment. The realization of arbitration
will make armament useless. and
when 1t IS useless 1t win disappear.
The way to dispose of armament Is to
provide some means OF settling In
ternational disputes without the use
of armament. When that lis accom-
piished 1t win be time enough to
think of disarmament
Arf ITFSf Stem
The first step is the formation OF
an arbitration treaty with Great Brit
ain. The favorable manner In which
the suggestion has received in Eng
land speaks we'll for its early accom-
plishment. The favorable endorse
ment in France 10 another indication
that the time is ripe. When several
big nations get together with such
treaties. then the others will observe
how the new system works and all
will come In.
The matter win be taken up inn
mediateiy. Secretary of State Knox
and Ambassador Bryce probably will
exchange ideas and the treaty will
be worked out so that 1t may be SUBJ
mitted to the Senate at the earliest
possible time compatible with careful
preparation.
II is right that the United States
should take the first step ia this move
ment. The hearty response with
which the plan has been received is
an Indication OF this. While the cx-
act details are as yet in a formative
State, they will soon be worked out.
A Treaty, Not An Alliance.
The arbitration treaty must not be
confused with an alliance. 1t dis
tinctly Is not an alliance. 1t Is an
slc hat eA
settle disputes arising between them
and would have no bearing whatever
upon dispute between one OF the
parties and a third power
The present prize court is the first
evidence of the general movement
toward worldwide arbitration, The
settlement OF the New Foundiand
fisheries 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 one hundred years
was settled and disposed OF, with the
exception of certain details which are
to be worked out by joint COM
mission.
The prize court will be developed
into an arbitral court and II will re-
present the modern method Of deal
ting With international affairs. The
immediate and, at present. the aIl-im-
portant step, however. Ia the accom-
plishment OF an arbitration treaty
with England. An effort win be made
to have ii ratified at the coming ses-
sion OF Congress. Then will come
similar treaties with other nations.
as rapidly as circumstances permit.
With such treaties in effect be-
tween England. France and the Unit
ed States. the great purpose would
be near accomplishment and the rest
would come as D matter OF course.
1t Is an actual. practical proposition
that promises realization.