New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-05-18
nan, c,n mako and is making TO avoid

ment can make and is making to avoid
intervention and further conflict
"What we have TO contend with IN NICK
leo 70 the disease OF revolution among
neople so per cent OF whom are Ignorant
and iuiterate. They have not had proper
onnortunities for self-help. They nave
suffered wrong and are struggling hlindly'
with purpose more or less III DEFINED, III
state Of society whose bonds are almost
entirely loosed A three years war mas
laid waste the country. destroyed INDUSTRY
and exposed all foreign residents to law
less violence II has. In fact. become an
international nuisance.
III we are TO be involved in war he
cause of Mexican anarchy" he continued.
'le, us have II fully understood that we
co into il in the services OF mankind,
as the President phrases it, and not upon
the issue of a mere punctilio In naval
ceremony Let us count the cost. Let us
soberly face what is before us. Let us not
enter lightly or unadvsedly upon a course
that will involve a sacrifice the extent OF
which may well make us pause
Guerilla Warfare's Difficulties.
After describing the difficulties TO be en-
countered in tropical climatic and rough
Typographical conditions against the
available military force OF men maze
hardy by the wars there OF the last three
years, Mr.. Taft took up a discussion OF
the practical methods which would be
necessary 1t would mean, he said.
blockade of the ports to starve out the
regular armies and make possible the
capture of the great inland towns, ioi-
lowed by prolonged and arduous guerrilla
war
II speak with some degree of conn
dence." ne said IT was in the Philip
mines and ! know what 1t costs TO sup
press guerilla warfare. tranquillize coun-
try and convince the people it is for their
own good.
"If we would be content to take the sea-
ports and blockade the country while we
we're making reasonable preparation for
the task, then. when ready for action, we
could do the work at the least cost OF
life. time and money. But do you think
We would? The public might grow inn
patient with this counsel of prudence. We
would probably have to act too quickly
and possibly meet some painful mishaps
due to lack of preparation.
The fateful consequences of war no
one can anticipate. We went into the
Cuban war in Cuba and came out 10000
miles away in the Philippines. and we
are there yet"
Good government always suffers In
war he said, and corruption follows In
it's wake interfering with prosperity and
the peaceful progress that has come to
be the ideal of present political move
ments.
Let us pray, he said, that our govern
ment at Washington may escape the
tremendous task of pacfying Mexico, and
hope that if Carranza succeeds to con-
troll in Mexico through our aid. ne may
bring about condition of affairs re-
sponsibilty for which will not entail upon
us burdensome consequences.
Scores Sensational Newspapers.
A satisfactory phase of the situation
he said. is that the prospect for war
does not waken general popular enthu-
siasm, except in adventurous youth and
some newspapers which thrive upon ex-
CltCfnent ana encourage lHS PiNSpcNs -
war because of the value of sensation.
THE other good thing is the offer OF
mediation by the three great nations oil
South America and our prompt accept
ance-a great step toward future solu-
ton of international difficulties in this
/ hemisphere.
Mr. Taft was preceded by Oscar Straus,
United States representative at the
I Hague Conference, who spoke on the
progress Of the international peace
movement and of Mr.. Taft's pre- emf
nent part in it,,
Before introducing the speakers, Rabbi
Wise said he had heard that anarchist
agitators intended interruptng the SER
vices. He requested that, If such was
the intention of any one present. IT
should not be carried out while Mr.. TAFT
or Mr.. Straus We're speaking. If any
| interrupters would rise while he himself
was speaking, he said, he would well
come them to the platform. There was
no interruption of any sort
Following the services the great crowd
which fled Carnegie Hall fingered TO
see Mr. Taft depart. He attracted as
much attention as If he were still Presi-
dent. He had luncheon after the meet
ing AT the Lotos Club with DR.. Wise.