The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-04-28
ENGLAND GREEIs
PEACE PROPOSAL
MOST CORDIALLY
Great Meeting Goes Wild
With Enthusiasm Over
Taft's Plan
Mr.. ASQUlTH AND
OTHER SPEAKERS
VOICE APPROVAL
Resolution Adopted Welcom-
Ing General Treaty Be-
tween Two Great An
glo-Saxon Nations

LONDON, April 2s.-~London's an
swer to President Tafts proposal for
an arbitration agreement between
England and America was made to-
day. Al a huge gathering In Guild
Hail, the foremost men In England
gave their unqualified approval OF the
proposal
The meeting was presided over by
Lord Mayor Sir Thomas vesey Strong
and Premier Asqaith, Arthur J. Bal
four and other leading statesmen took
part.
Il doubt whether Guild Hall was
ever used tor worthier purpose.
Premier Asquith declared. This
peace meeting cannot be said to be-
due to prearrangemsnt or the ope-
ration of the usual diplomatic appa-
ratus. President Taft scattered the
seed and 1t fell ON ground prepared
to receive ii. Only few months ago
such al object a. brought about this
ting. which is destined to become
historic. might have been considered
dream. Now We all admit that IL
La within the domain OF practical
statvsmanship.'
Entering Wedge for World Peace.
The premier expressed the hope
that still greater things than the An
o-American compact might follow
the action of these two countries.
While not wishing to preach or die
tate 10 other nations he said. /
am sure the Anglo agree
riant against Mar will be a long step
towards the progress OF humanity the
world over. IL is not TOO much to
hope that this IL the entering wedge
TO universal peace.
This meeting records the most i'm
portant victory In the relations be-
tween England aud America. 1T is
unnecessary for me- to say that the
proposed compact liz without menace
to- the rest OF mankind Ii il not
even an offensive and defensive aiit-
ance. but an agreement that simply
rules out war over a sast area"
Other speakers. including Cnnser-
Natise Leader Baifour. followed the
premier. at the conclusion or which
the premier moved the following reg
oiution. which was adopted amid
scenes of the greatest enthusiasm:
London Welcomes Proposal.
That this meeting Of citizens of
London cordially welcomes the pre-
posal of the Presiden, of the United
States in favor of general treaty of
arbitration between that counsEs and
the British empire and pledges Its
support To the principles of such II
treaty as serving the highest interest
of the two nations and as tending
to promote the peace OF the world"
In secondtng the resolution, bal
four said that he was convinced that
public opinion In both England and
America was ripe for such an agree
81 usent. TIA make and then .hrsak s,si,
an agreement he said. would be q
damaging blow to civilization for gen
erations to come.
premierssah&rd. of New Zealand,
urged this agreement ON behalf of
Enxlands dependencies
Balfour said that he did not be-
ieve the agreement would make 1t
possible to reduce the ornaments i'm
mediately. but that this should not d.
nlinish the British seal for fulfilling
the peace ideal. The resolution was
adopted unanimously by reclamation.
The Archbishop of Canterbury
moved . second resolution directing
tlAe lord mayor to take the necessary
STRIPS to facilitate the arbitration ne
EotiationS. The Catholic Archbishop
Of Westminster seconded this rpsoIu-
ton. which was also carried by acs,la-
nation.