The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-07-08
TAFT CONFIDENT
OF PEACE TREATY
Believes Pact With Great
Britain Will Surely
Be Signed.
OTHER NATIONS TO FOLLOW
Hopeful That Similar Treaties
Will Be Concluded With
Many European Powers.
OTHER NATIONS TO FOLLOW

Atlantic City. y. j.. July I'm a
speech to the International Christian
Endeavor Convention here tonight
President TAFT declared that the me-
gotiations for the arbitration treaty
between Great Britain and the United
States have reached such a stage that
there is no doubt as to the signing Of
che pact.
Il am glad to say" said the Presi-
dent. that to-day we have reached
such point In the negotiations for
treaty of universal arbitration with
one OF the great European powers. tina,
OF satisfactory treaty"
The President expressed the hope
that eventually half dozen European
countries may make similar treaties
Such action. ne said. will not abolish
war. but would furnish q forcible in
strumentality in preventing It.
Prosresa Toward Peace.
The President spoke from a platform
on the Million Dollar Pier. The hrst
part of his speech was devoted TO a
brief review OF the work of the Chris
fion Endeavor societies. or peace and
arbitration, the President said in part:
In tho last twenty -five years we
have made great progress toward an
International condition in which war
IS less likely than heretofore. 1t is
true that in that time we have had
several wars. tho war between Chinu
and Japan, the war between Russia and
Japan. the war between the United
States and Spain, the war between
England and the Beers. and perhaps
some others
Nevertheless. as between these great
countries OF Europe which have armed
themselves 10 the teeth since the Ger
ran-French war OF 1870. peace has
been maintained; and under the In
sp!ration Of common desire for peace.
treaties have been made with refer.
ence TO arbitration, and for the estab-
lishnent OF court at The Hague for
the settlement OF international dis
puteB. We have ameiiorated the ancient
cruelt!es OF war by Red Cross agree
nents Nor We are agreeing upon
what is called the declaration of Lon.
don, which. II confirmed. as it seems
likely 10 be, VIII take away from war
on the sea those principles OF Lawful
piracy that have always characterized
the dealing with private property OF
the citizens of enemies.
Mediation OF Year.
The treaty in one sense. instead OF
making arbitration necessary. inter
poses mediation OF q year between the
happening OF the differences and the
bringing OF the muttcr 10 arbitration
with the growing possibility, as the
RULED feelings OF the nation may be
smoothed out by tire, that the dif.
erences may be adjusted By mediation
instead OF judicia! action. but holding
Judicial action as the ultimate resort TO
prevent war.
Il am exceedingly hopeful that other
countries besides Great Britain will
accept the form OF treaty. or one like
1t. and that we may have half dozen
of the treaties with the European
countries looking toward arbitration
or international differences"
After delivering his address before
the Christian Endeavor convention
President Taft. accompanied by Secre-
,ary H!lles. Captain Butt and Senator
Hriggs. OF New Jersey, proceeded from
Atlantic City to the Philadelphia Navy
ard. where the Presidents yacht May
Tower was awaiting his arrival The
PRESIDENT and his party boarded the
vessel. and the Mayfower pulled out TO
midetream. The President is expected
TO reach Washington on Monday, after
being on the water for two days
Senators Penrose, OF Pennsylvania !:
Root. of New York: Brown, OF Nebras-
Ia; Taylor, OF Tennessee; Foster, OF
Louisiana; Bacon, OF Georgia, and
overman. of North Carolina, are in
cuded in the party invited by the Pres.
ident 10 accompany him.