Norwich bulletin., 1914-05-18
Taft's Views of
 Mexican Trouble
DECLARES WILSON ERRED IN AIDING coNsTlTUTIoNALIsTs
WOULD BE COSTLY WAR
Estimates It Would Take 100000 Men Two or Three Years to subdue Mex
 ieo-cost Would be s1 100000 Per Day

New York, May 17-W1lIiam H. Taft gave his views on the Mexican situa- ton today in an address at the Free Synagogue's Celebration of Peace Sun pressed little hope that the pending mediation conference would accomplish it's immediate purpose he declared that the offer of mediation and our acceptance was an important step to- wards the future settlement of Inter- national difficulties in the western hemisphere. He asserted that there was no popular pressure of military policy which the administration can not resist. He said that the people were determined to do their duty even should that duty involve war. But for war, he added, the people have at pres ent little enthusiasm.
 The criticism which MT. Taft levelled at the Wilson administration had to do with the aid which, he said, the administration had given to the Mex ican Constitutionalists.
 Tt is my judgment" he said, that if, in our course toward Mexico during direct influence as we have, to aid one of the contending parties, we should not now be so near general interven- ton and war"
 He declared that 100000 men and two or three years time and an expend-
  quired for the subjugation of Mexico should the present complications pro- duce war.
 In conclusion he called upon all American to aid the President in his effort a find peace.
 MT. Taft took the place today of Sec retary Bryan, whose duties at Wash ington prevented him from fulfilling an engagement to address the congre- gation upon International Peace" Oscar Strauss representative of the United States in the Hague confer ence also spoke. He pointed out that the Russian Japanese war was settled through mediation and that interfer- ence by an outside power in an inter natioal dispute was no longer regard ed as an unfriendly act.
 MT. Taft's speech follows in part: With our dreadnoghts and our other battleships assembled at Tampt- co, Vera Cruz and Mazatlan, with 5000 or more of our regular army in possession of Mexican city and with the reat of our available force assemb- ling at convenient stratgetic points for possible further invasion of Mexican territory it may occur to some that it is not appropriate to have a peace Sun day or to hold a peace meeting. For those of us, however, who hope that we may not be involved in further warlike activity, or in actual war, there could be no time more fitting for an expression of that hope.
 Time For Clear Understanding.
 ''This is not a time for wishing that the past had been otherwise, but it is a time for candor and for clear under standing of the situation. Our argu- ments and our hopes for peace will seem reasonable only when we make 1t clear that we are not blind to exist ing conditions with deference to the views of others, it is my judgment that If, in our course toward Mexico during the last year, we had not exerted such direct influence as we have, to aid one Of the contending parties, we would not now be so near general interven- ton and war. Nor would we have been so responsible for law and order iu Mexico to the world, as we are now likely to be if a new government comes into power through our influence. Sc much think l should say in order that may not be misunderstood. But not for this reason can I or anyone who agrees with me in this, fail to approve and applaud every honorable effort that our Government can make and is making to avoid intervention and and further conflict.
 T yield to no man in my earnest de- sire Tor peace and in my detestation o1 war; but an advocacy of peace that ignores conditions and takes no note of what is practical is futile and inef- fective. Threatened war between two stable nations is much easier to deal with than such condition as con- fronts us in Mexico. 1 am glad to fec that there is, a noteworthy movement toward the adoption of practical ma chlnery for avoiding war between res sponsible government"