Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1914-10-20
GOOD TINE 1O CLEAN
HOUSE, SAYS 1AF|
FORMER PRESIDENT DISCUSSES
TREATY OBLIGATIONS OF
UNITED STATES.
PRESENT OPPORTUNITY TO
PROVE NATIONS SINCERITY
Would Give Presidents Power to !nsti-
tute Legal Proceedings Against Vio-
lators of international Agreements
Raps Progressive Party For Change
Of Attitude on Recall Of judges.

meeting of the American Bar Associa-
ton began here today with hundreds or
LAWYERS in attendance from every state
in the union and some parts OF Canada.
An address of welcome by President
Wilson opened the session, followed py
the annual address of the president
of the association, former President
Taft
Tonight Senator Root Will deliver an
address on the "Layman's Criticism on
the Lawyer" and Il reception will be
given in the Pan-American union
building.
Lessons From European War.
The United States should draw from
the European war lesson regarding
it's own conduct, said EN-Presiuent
Taft In his address. In discussing the
charges of violation of treaties by
European nations. Mr. Taft said that
this country should put itself in such
a position that it could fulfill to the
letter the obligations imposed by It's
treaties. and he recommended legisla-
ton to that end.
In his address, delivered as president
Of the association. Mr.. Taft also salu
that the progressive party was depart
ing from the preposterous nostrum
of the recall of judicial decisions be-
cause it apparently had become bur-
den to the party.
In speaking of the European war
Mr. Taft said that President Wilson
should have the warmest approval and
sincerest co-operation in his efforts to
maintain the strict neutrality of this
country.
I'VE are the principal nation" he
continued ''and might say almost the
only nation, of the christian world not
SO related to the struggle that both
sides may really regard us as disinter-
ested friends. 1t is our highest duty.
and the president makes plain his ap-
probation of this, not TO sacrifice ana
destroy this great leverage for sue
cessful mediation. when the opportun-
ity arises. by ill-advised and premature
judgments upon the merits. We must
hold our tongues to be useful to
nlankind.''
Our Treaty Obligations.
Concerning this country's obliga-
tions under its treaties Mr. Taft said:
And now that we are discussing
compliance with treaties and the effect
of treaties of arbitration and of peace
upon the chances of war, is it not a
good time for us to clean our own
house and to put ourselves in posi-
ton where we can fulfill 20 the letter
every treaty we have entered into? We
have made many treaties OF friendship
apd peace--indeed, treaties with all the
world--n which we have assured to
aliens. subjects or citizens If the other
party to the treaty resident without
our border, due process of law in pro-
lection of life. liberty and property.
| But we now withhold. however. from
the same authority that makes the
treaty the power to fulfill its opliga-
tions. A statute OF a dozen lines would
put it into the power of the president
! to institute judicial proceedings. civil
and criminal. in courts of the United
States to punish a violation of the
treaty rights of aliens and enable him
to use the civil and military executive
arm of the government 20 protect
against their threatened invasion. In
our past experience we realize that
prejudice against aliens will never be
punished by state authority, and there
, is nothing but high strung people
and ii is people now who largely con-
troll the matter of war and peace-re-
sent so much as the mistreatment of
, their fellow countrymen living under
the flag of n foreign government that
has stipulated and pledged its honor
to give them protection
The speaker denied that the grant :
ing to the president of such powers as
he outlined would be unconstitutional.
Taft introduces Wilson.
! In his introduction of President VIII
son. Mr.. Taft pledged the association
deepest cooperation and its conf.
! dence in the presidents ability and
honesty of purpose In guiding the shir
of state thru the period of European
! conflict.
| Mr.. Taft declared Mr. Wilson had
! the confidence of the nation. President
strength rested In his confidence In the
| people. He pleaded Ter the "hu,.ltl,,-
tzing of the law at this time of inter
| national crisis. not only as respected
| international law, but as to munlcipa
law
He said the world was nov stirreG
| to It's depths but that the best course
| for nation to pursue was the disin-
| terested part. He added that the un-
| settled world condition was a good time
| to free the law from dry consideration
| from precedence. and injecting into
! it more OF the viewpoint OF justice 70,
| the ordinary man.
/! Opinion Mistress of World.
"The opinion of the world is the mis-.
tress OF the world: and the processes
of international law are the slow pro-
cesses which work It's will,'' said Presi.
| dent Wilson
What impresses me is the constant
thought the q Hi; %
the bar at which we all sit would cal
your attention incidentally to the cir.