Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-02-23
SAYS WAR WITH REPUBLIC
MEANS HEAVY SACRIFICE
Defends Suggested Arbitration of the
Panama Canal Tolls Issue.
FILLS MANY ENGAGEMENTS
Guest at Several Functions in New
York and Oficiates at Two
Ceremonies-Recipi of
Testimonial.

NEW YORK, February 22.-Presiden
Taft, guest of honor at peace dinner
tonight, at which a medal was present
ed to him in token of his services ir
the cause of universal peace, spoke
frankly of conditions in Mexico as he
viewed them, and declared for the ex.
ercise of every possible effort in avoid
ance of Intervention in the affairs OF
that republic.
The medal, given by the National In
stitute of Social Sciences at the dinner
of the American Peace and Arbitration
League. was presented by Joseph H
Choate, former ambassador to Great
Britain.
Mexico for two years. said Mr.. TAT,
in his address. "has presented very sac
picture to every lover of his kind, t.
every supporter of popular government
to every man hopeful of establishing
peace under a stable government. But
we must not despair. We must not, ir
a case like Mexico-for it differs from the
Central American republics-take such &C
tiOn as shall give them to believe that
We are moved by selfish purposes, OF
arouse them to opposition to us.
Urges Exercise Of Patience.
I'VE must avoid in every way that
which is called Intervention and use all
the patience possible, with the prayers
that some power may arise there to bring
about peace throughout that great coun-
try. We have to take precautions; and
these have been taken.
But I have no sympathy-none at all,
and the charge Of cowardice does not
frighten me-with that which prompts us
for purposes of exploitation and gain to
invade another country and involve our
selves in war the extent of which We
could not realize, and the sacrifice of
thousands Of lives and of millions of
treasure. and then. when We had succeed
ed. what?
mo. we must exercise patience in a
concrete case like this
Discussing the pending peace treaties
with Great Britain and France, the Presi-
dent said he was deeply disappointed
that they have not been confirmed by
the Senate. But 1 bow to it's Judgment -
he said. hoping that thetime was not far
membership and the providential selec-
tion' of its personnel would be followed
by ratification of the treaties.
Referring to the Monroe doctrine. he
declared the United States ought to seek
the prevention of instability of all gov
ernments on the American hemisphere by
attempting. in peaceful way, to estab-
lish a right to offer mediation to prevent
''murderous'' warfare. In this effort he
said, the South American governments.
basis, will help us to aid Central Amer
lean and West Indian governments"
Arbitration of Canal Problem.
Turning to the Panama canal. Presi-
dent Taft defended his policy of arbitra-
tion Of the toll question.
THE idea of our getting into fight
with England and not submitting to an
international tribunal of arbitration is
so absurd" he said, that not even the
statement of a reverend and senior SEN
atOr can make me understand it other
than jocosely.'
The President said in concluding his
speech:
Friends, good night. l am going back
to Washington to lay down such power
as have had-a power which l have been
glad to exercise, whenever L could. in the
cause of peace. And I leave You with
probation of what l have done and in
taking the will for the deed
Forty peace and civic organizations
were represented at the dinner. Among
the speakers were Henry Clews. presi-
dent of the league: Domicio da Cana.
the Brazilian ambassador; Job E. Hedges
and MI. Choate.
President-elect Wilson. declining an in
vitaion to be present. wrote: 1T would
be very gratifying to me. indeed, if 1t
were possible for me to be present and
play a part in expressing the apprecia-
tion Of the country for the consistent ef-
forts of President Taft in behalf of
peace"
Presidents Eventful Day.
President Taft, making what is prob
ably his final public appearance outside
of Washington before retiring from the
White House, spent one of the most
eventful days he has ever passed in
this city. Arriving here from Wash
ington in time for breakfast, the
President was taken here and there
about the city by automobile and tug
boat, attending several functions as
guest OF honor, and retired late to-
night. planning to return to Washing
ton tomorrow afternoon.
During the day he broke ground for
an Indian monument overlooking the
harbor: dedicated lighthouse" set
tlement for the blind. after watching
sightless children drill; attended a
Revolution at the tavern where Wash
inSton read his farewell address, and
tonight spoke at the dinner Of the
American Peace and Arbitration
A pand of Indian chiefs from western
reservations watched their great white
father" overturn patch of earth with
a spade and at the spot where a sixty
foot statue of an Indian warrior. the
national American Indian memorial, will
arise. at Fort WadswOrth. The red
men, signed an oath of allegiance to
the United States. after President Taft.
in "a brief speech, referred to the North
American Indian as IAN existing force
with great and immediate and direct in
fiuence upon the settlement and develop
ment of this country by the white
races.
Dedication of Lighthouse"
The lighthouse" which the President
dedicated is the new club building of the
New York Association for the Blind on
East J9th street. Of which he laid the
sorner stone year ago. Miss Helen Kel-
~