The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-01-05
HeWants Panama Canal
Dispute Submitted to
The Hague.
HIS FIRST FORMAL
ID E CT A r A T1ON
No Doubt About What He Will
Do When Occasion Arises-Be-
lieves This Is Time to Apply
Test to Faith in Interna-
tional Tribunal-Senate
Sharply Divided.

New York January 4.-President
Taft referring this afternoon to the
dispute between the United States and
Great Britain In the Panama Canal to!l
regulations. said that he was IN favor
Of submitting the question TO The
Hague tribunal for arbitration.
The President was speaking at q
luncheon In ms honor az the Waldorf
Astoria, given by the Intern tional
Peace Forum. This is his first formal
declaration on the question since Great
Britain filed It's protest with the state
Department
When the time comes there viii be
40 doubt about what | will do about
submitting this question to an Impair
tial tribunal for decision" the Presi-
dent said
Il will willing 10 arbitrate with
Great Britain as soon as we get down
10 the point at issue.
This is just the time when am in
favor Of arbitration. President Taft
continued 1T is the time when we
are afraid we might not win that tests
I our faith fl arbitration"
Need BE No Doubt.
There need not be any public doubt
en- that subject so far as this admins
t-ation is concerned continued the
President When there is q differ
ence that cannot be reconsiled By In
ternational negotiation and adjustment
then We are etirely willing to submit
10 an impartial tribunal l am hope
ful that We may get il either 10
settlement or 70 submission before
this administration shall cease. but IL
NAY not be. because these negotis-
items move slowly. But ] am glad 70
take this opportunity IN this presence
TO say that IL the time comes. there
will be no doubt about what i VIII
do IN respect TO The submission OF that
question. az far as my power goes. 10
an impartial tribunal for its settle
ment. IL that is necessary"
The Presidents remarks apparently
were prompted by declaration in a
speech by Henry Clews Banker. as
strtfne that for President Tsfr's admin
fstration 10 concede the right to arbi-
irate. the difference would be SPLEEN
did achievement. but ! hold that we
are Ia the wrong. and most Nkely 10
Dc defeated IL IL should 80 to The
Hague for decision
referring 20 the Panama Canal
treaty. President Taft. who had said
~ the outset Of his remarks that he
and pleasure continued:
NV friend. Mr.. Clews. differs with
ne and with the administration in the
construction Of that treaty. That -
ell right.
Il suppose questions before have
arise as TO construction OF contracts
in which good honest people have been
on both sides Now that presents 20
me very significant and useful eX-
ample with respect to arbitration
good many people are saying don't
arbitrate. because you are going TO
lose This is our own canal. and while
England is making a point of II Eng
land would not fight about it. and
Therefore why give up when you are
not likely to get an arbitration that
will be satisfactory to you and your
view OF the construction
Now that. even II this view were
correct as TO probabilities OF the re-
suit. which I need not admit. is just
the time when 7 am i'm favor OF an
arbitration I mean that I have not
gone about the country urging arbi
tratior for the purpose OF using
that as a platform subject TO attract
the attention and approval Of the audi
, ence."
DeBouBces the senate.
Mr.. Taft warmly denounced the Sen
ate in connection Of the defeat Of the
proposed arbitration treaties with
Great Britain and France
once in a WHILE he said. there
comes an opportunity that seems 70
b. a GreS; step fordwsrd. and when
that opportunity is lost. when the step
which might have been taken is not
taken. the hearts OF those whose hopes
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