New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-04-29
Premier ASuuith and Mr.. BaIfour
Laud Taft'S Proposal at
GuiIdhall Meeting.
EVERY INTEREST APPROVES
An Impressive and Hearty Re-
sponse from the British EN-
pire to the Presidents
Request.
r, cshle . NE rr,hun. !

vss fully justified in describing to-day's
arbitration meeting at the Guilhall as a
uri1ue gathering. representing every ma
rorsl and imperial interest
The Morning Post" which suspects
that tho Washington government is dis
INGENIOUS in reserving important ques-
,ions from the proposed treaty and
downright treacherous in seeking 10
break up the British Empire through
reciprocity with Canada. advised good
citizens 70 stay away from the meet
ing
This warning was unheeded and the
Guldhsn was crowded with an enthusi-
ss,ic audience Of the highest character.
With leaders % political parties. all re-
rgious bodies and all business and colo
NAL interests on the platform
resolution proposed by Prime Min
istor ASquith and framed In accordance
with President Taft's memorable words
vas sdopred without q dissenting voice
Re had asked for moral support to the
enlightened proposals for substituting
arbitration for war In the English speak
nE world
This meeting was a digni1ed impress
siye and hearty answer on the part Of
the British capital and empire giving
hm what he had wanted-an unequivo-
cal pledge for an arbitration treaty COW
ering every issue which could not he set
tied by negotiation.
spaoChes u-are rar,7o III 60
iher hesrtiness. and were frequently
upIauded.
The Lord Mayor closed his explana-
tor remarks with quotation from
Whittier.
No Menace to Other Nations
Prime Minister Asquith spoke with un-
Tonted earnestness, interpreting Presi-
dent Tafts words as a proposal for the
definite abandonment Of war in the Eng
ls1 speaking world, forecasting the tre-
msndous significance of a peace compact
hetween two great democracies. making
an effective use Of the analogy for the
discontinuance Of duelling over private
points Of honor and declaring that the
Anglo-American irenicon would imply no
Interior purpose no message Of menace.
% other nations.
Mr. Balfour. instead of following the
pessimistic line OF THE Morning Post"
warmly advocated q treaty Of absolute
arbitration with America. holding that
not merely churches but the great mass
of public opinion in the United King
dom wanted H.
He answered with subtlety the objec-
zion Of that paper that pledges are
vauelsss by showing that the laws OF
civilized warfare are not violated and
that arbitration treaties viii be equally
effective in the maintenance Of peace
when public opinion is behind them.
After Mr. Balfour's eloquent perorc-
ton describing President Taft's pro-
posed treaty as the beginning of a new
era there came series Of short ad-
dresses from the Archbishop Of Canter-
bury. the Cardinal Archbishop Of West
Minister. Chief Rabbi the Rev. F. &.
Never and the Premier OF New yea
land and the audience retired with the
Consciousness Of having taken part in
nemora be demonstration for peace and
progress
TIE American Embassy was not rep
resented at the Guildhan, inasnuch as
TIE meeting was organized exclusively on
British lines for the sake Of sending an
authoritative response to President
Tans proposals
Resolutions adopted to-day and AT
many other public meetings throughout
the kingdom viii be sent TO Sir Edward
Grey. Foreign Secretary. who asked for
defnite expressions Of British opinion.
nv The Associated Pressl
London. April 2s.-What Premier Asquith
described as this venerable GuildhaH'
without whose seal Of approval no popular
n movement in London Is really launched
Witnessed to-day a meeting for the adop-
ton Of resolutions pledging the city 10 the
support of Anglo-American complete arbi-
i-aton.
Tie Lord Mayor Of London in his scarlet
t0bes and with the mace In front Of him
held the centre of temporary stage. on
MS right was the Prime Minister al his
lsft former Premier Bslfour. leader Of the
Opposition in the House Of Commons. while
nassed about the Mayor were the Arch
bishop Of Canterbury, the Archbishop of
Westmirster Lord Loreburn. the Lord
llgh Chancellor. Lord Strathcona High
Commissioner Of Canada. Sir Joseph g.
Ward Premier II New Zealand. and other
notabiez. over their heads the Union Jack
snd Stars and Stripes were entwined
Mr. A-quith and Mr Balfour spoke elo-
cuentlv % the treaty first proposed by
President Taft declaring that II would
mark low era Don civilization. but both
pointedly dieclalmed that peace pact be-
tween Great Britain and the United States
PROVIDING for the submission OF all differ
ences 90 arbitration would mean an alliance
between the two countries
Mr Balfour warned hi. hearers. than
whom he said none in the world felt more
tnc Dol rden of preparing for war that the
treaty voula not mean the immediate re-
oacton of armaments.
The meeting represented the democracy
OF England rather than the arstocracy.
Others on the platform were the Bishop Of
hereford. the Earl II Aberdeen, Lord Lieu
tenant ot Ireland Sir George ~. Reid.
HIzh commissioner Of Australia; agents OF
all the other British colonies. along with
representative Of the banks. the railways
and the steamship companies Of England.
Premier Asquith said in part:
The unique situation which We have met
~ recognize and welcome has not been
tfEduiZe1 engineered hf the 4uuaI4fIs