Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1913-01-10
TAFT FOR CANAL
TOLL ARBITRATION
Hopes Question viii Be Settled
Before Term Ends.
PRESIDES AT OWN "1MAKE"
President Attacks Foes For Political
"Demise" and Gives Modest Praise
to His Achievements While
in Office.

New York, Jan. 7.-While hoping
that the pending controversy between
the United States and Great Britain
over the Panama canal tolls would be
settled before he retires from office,
President Taft here On Saturday de-
clared himself unequivocally in favor
of arbitrating the question Il present
negotiations should fail to bring about
settlement.
The presidents first public declara-
ton of his attitude on the question was
made at luncheon given In his honor
by the international Peace Forum.
Later, at the Republican "reorganiza-
ton" dinner, he presided at what he
styled his own political wake" He
made the funeral grafton over his po-
litical corpse, asked modest praise for
his deeds during the time he lived at
the White House, recited at length the
causes which led up to his demise"
and attacked the enemies he held re-
sponsible for his taking of. In the
course of this speech the president
made his first public reference to Col
onel Roosevelt since the campaign,
saying that probably 100000 Repub-
licans voted for Wilson ito avert the
danger of Roosevelt's election"
The presidents remarks on the Pa
mama question apparently were
prompted by declaration In speech
by Henry Clews, banker, asserting
that for President Taft's administra-
ton ito concede the right to arbitrate
the difference would be splendid
achievement" but holding that I'VE are
In the wrong and would most likely be
defeated IL 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:
my friend Mr. Clews differs with
me and with the administration in the
construction of that treaty. That is
all right. | suppose questions before
have arisen as to construction Of con-
tracts in which good, honest people
have been on both sides. Now that
presents to me a very significant and
useful example with respect to arbi-
tration. A good many people are say
ing: Don't arbitrate, because you are
going to lose. This is our own canal,
and while England is making a point
of 1t, England would not fight about
1t, 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 then-even If this view were
correct as to probability of result.
which | need not admits just the
time when | am in favor of an arbitra-
ton. l mean that I had not gone
about the country urging arbitration
for the purpose Of using that as plat
form subject to attract the attention
and approval of the audience.
II hope l was more conscientious in
advocating what L did advocate
throughout the country under that
head, and when l 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.