Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-01-05
BUT HE WILL INSIST ON
AN IMPARTIAL TRIBUNAL
Action Would "Test Our Faith in
That Method of Settlement"
SENATE DIVIDED ON QUESTION
Many Members Believe Taft's Plan
Is Only Honorable Method, While
Others Contend It Is Merely
Domestic Matter.

NV oI>lN, Jahtoit +.
President Taft today declared
himself unequivocally in favor OF
arbitrating the dispute between
the United States and Great
Britain over Panama canal tolls
in event that the pending nego-
tiations between the two coun-
tries fail in bringing about a set
Element
This was the first public
declaration OF the President re-
garding his attitude toward the
question. He was speaking at a
luncheon given in his honor by
the International Peace Forum.
Ready for the Issue.
II am willing, and indeed 1 would be
ashamed not to be willing, said the
President, Ito arbitrate any question with
Great Britain in the construction of
treaty when we reach the exact issue
which there is between the two nations.
There need not be any public doubt on
that subject so far as this administration
is concerned. When there is a difference
that cannot he reconciled by international
negotiation and adjustment then We are
entirely willing to submit 1t to an impair
tial tribunal.
For an Impartial Tribunal.
Il am hopeful that We may get it either
TO settlement or to submission before the
administration in which Il have the honor
to be dissolving view shall cease, but
il may not be. because these negotiations
move slowly. But l am glad to take this
opportunity in this presence to say that
IL the time comes there will be no doubt
about what ] Will do In respect to the
submission Of that question. as far as my
power goes, to an impartial tribunal 1or
it's settlement. il that is necessary
The Presidents remarks were aEpar-
entity prompted by declaration In a
speech by Henry Clews. the banker, as
serting that for President Tafts admin
istration Ito concede the right to arDl-
trate the difference would be splendid
achievement; but holding that we are
In the wrong and would most likely be
defeated II 1t should go to The Hague
for decision" Referring to the Panama
canal treaty. the President. who had said
at the outset of his remarks that he rose
with mingled feelings of sorrow and
i'casure, continued:
My friend. Mr.. Clews. differs with me
md with the administration in the con-
struction of that treaty. That is all
right ! suppose questions before have
ar sen as to construction of contracts in
which food. honest people have been on
both sides.
Was Sincere in Campaign Speeches.
Now that presents to me very sig
nifcant and useful example 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 it,
England would not fight about it, and
therefore why give up when you are not
likely 10 get an arbitration that will be
satisfactory to you and your view of the
construction. Now that. even il this
view were correct as to probability of re-
suit, which l need not admit is just the
time when j am in favor of an arbitra-
tion. I mean that l have not gone about
the country urging arbitration for the
purpose of using that as a platform sub
ject to attract the attention and approval
Of the audience.
II hope i was more conscientious in
advocating what ] did advocate through
the country on that head, and when I
said to them that We never would have
an arbitration that would be effective
until We entered into an obligation that
brought US into arbitration when We did
not think we would win. That is the
time that tests your faith in that method
OF settlement
Mr.. Taft warmly denounced the Senate
~ connection with the defeat of the pro-
posed arbitration treaties with Great Brit
ain and France Once in while" he
said there comes an opportunity that
seems TO be great step forward, and
when that opportunity is lost when the
step which might have been taken is not
lahen. the hearts of those whose hopes
were high are saddened. And this meet
ing brings back TO me the earnest tri-
umphant feeling that | had In my soul
after l had visited almost every state in
the Union and urged the confirmation of
The treaties which We had made with
England and France. and then lived to
md them defeated In the highest legfs-
iative body of the world. as some of the
of calling it,