The Oskaloosa herald., 1913-01-09
FOR ARBITRATION
! OF CANAL ISSUE
TAFT Favors Submission of
Toll Question to The
Hague Tribunal.
PRESIOES At HIS OWN "WAkE'
President Tells cahse Of His Political
Demise" and Attacks the Enc
mics He Holds Responsible
for His Taking OF.

I New York, Jan. 6i-President Taft
declared himself as unequivocally in
favor of arbitrating the Panama canal
tolls in event the pending negotia-
tions between Great Britain and the
United States fail to bring about a
settlement He hopes, however. that
the question will be settled before his
administration comes to an end.
The presidents first public declara.
ton of his attitude on the question
was made at a luncheon given in his
honor by the international peace
forum. Later, at the Republican ere
organization dinner. he presided at
what he styled his own political
wake He made the funeral ora
ton over his political corpse, asked
modest praise for his deeds during
the time he lived at the White House,
recited at length the causes that led
up to his demise and attacked the
enemies he held responsible for his
taking off, In the course of this
speech the president made his first
public reference to Colonel Roosevelt
since the campaign, saying that prob
ably 100000 Republicans voted for
Wilson ito avert the danger Of
Roosevelt's election.
In Answer to clews.
The presidents remarks on the
Panama question apparently were
prompted by a declaration in a
speech by Henry Clews, banker, as
sorting that for President Taft's ad-
ministration TO concede the right to
arbitrate the difference would be a
splendid achievement" but holding
that I'VE are in the wrong and would
most likely be defeated if it 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 pleasure" continued: 81.
my friend Mr. Clews differs with
me and with the administration in
the constructions OF that treaty. That
Is all right. I suppose questions be-
fore have arisen as to construction
of contracts in which good. honest
people have been on both Sides Now
that presents to me a very significant
and useful example with respect to
arbitration. A 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 to get an
arbitration that will be satisfactory
to you and your view of the construc-
ton
Just the Right Time.
Now then-even il this view were
correct as to probability OF result,
which | need not admits just the
time when | am in favor of an All
tration. mean that had not gone
about the country urging arbitration
for the purpose of using that as
platform subject to attract the atten-
tiob and approval OF the audience.
Il hope I was more conscientious
in advocating what did advocate
throughout the country under that
mead, ana When j said that we never
would have an arbitration that would
be effective until we entered into an
obligation that brought us into arbi-
tration when we did not think we
would win. That is the time that
tests your faith in that method OF set
Element"
Mr.. Taft warmly denounced the sen.
ate in connection with the defeat OF
the proposed arbitration treaties with
Great Britain and France .,. I'D. g.
y Once in awhile" 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
taken, the hearts Of those whose
hopes were high are saddened