Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1914-10-21
OBEY TREATIES,
DECLARES TAFT
Says Law Needed to Give Power to
Protect Foreigners in the
United States.
ADDRESSES BAR ASSOCIATION
Former President says Recall OF
JudEes Rock on which Progress
sive Party Foundered, Not
Founded.


WASHINGTON. oct. A.-"The United
States should draw from the European
war a lesson regarding its own conduct"
said ex-President William II. Taft in an
address hero today before the American
Bar association. In discussing the charges
OF violation OF treaties by European ma
lions, Mr.. Taft said that this country
should put itself In such a position that
II could fulfill 70 the letter obligations
imposed by It's treaties, and he recon-
mended legislation 10 that end.
In his address, delivered as president
OF the American Bar association. Mr..
Taft also said that the progressive rarity
vas departing from 'the preposterous
nostrum" OF the recall of judicial docis-
ions because IT apparently had become a
burden TO the party.
In speaking OF the European war, Mr..
Taft said that President Wilson should
have the warmest approval and slncerest
cooperation in his efforts to maintain the
strict neutrality of this country.
I'VE are the principal nation" no con-
tinued, of the Christian world not so re-
lated to the struggle that both sides may
really regard us as disinterested friends.
II is our highest duty, and the president
makes plain his appreciation OF this, not
TO sacrifice and destroy this great lever
age for successful mediation. when the
opportunity arises. by ill-advised and pre-
mature judgments upon the merits. We
must hold our tongues to be useful TO
mankind"
Power 20 Enforce LACKING.
Concerning this country's obligations
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 II not a good time to
clean our houses and put ourselves in q
position where we can fulfill to the letter
every treaty we have entered into? We
have made many treaties Of friendship
and peace-indeed, treaties with all the
world-in which we have assured to
aliens, subjects or citizens OF the other
party to the treaty. resident within our
borders, due process OF law in protec-
ton of life. liberty and property But
we now withhold. however, from the same
authority that makes the treaty the
power to fulfil it's obligations
"A statute OF a dozen lines would put
Il into the power of the president to in
stitute judicial proceedings. civil and GRIM
inal, 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 gov
eminent TO protect against their threat
ened invasion. In our past experiences
We realize that mob violence committed
through race prejudice against aliens will
never be punished by state authority,
and there Is nothing that high-strung
people--and 1t is peoples now who largely
control the matter OF war and peace
resent so much as the mlstreatment OF
their fellow counuynnen living under the
flag Of foreign government that has
stipulated and pledged its honor to give
them protection."\
The speaker denied that the granting
to- the president of such powers as he
outlined would be unusual.
Recall of Judges No Longer Wanted.
Mr. Taft said there were indications
that there had been a distinct falling off
In support OF the proposals for recall OF
judges and Of judicial decisions These
proposals, he said. were incorporated in
the platform OF the progressive party,
whose leader felt called upon to declare
that they were the rock upon which 1t
was founded"
cit would appear Mr.. Taft continued.
that the party which fathered these pro
posals now finds that instead of being
the rock on which It is founded. It is, to
change the metaphor, the rock on which
II founders. Certainly It seems wise TO
its leaders to ignore this part Of their
original propaganda, an indication that
II has ceased to be a vote-getter, and, in
deed, has. become a burden to any party
that assumes to press H."
Antitrust Legislation.
Turning to the antitrust legislation OF
the Wilson administration. Mr.. Taft an
siyzed the trade commission act and the
Clayton act.
Insofar as the field OF general inter
state trade is within the practical range
OF supervision and regulation" he said,
the machinery adopted, It seems to me,
is as effective as any could be-"
with one minor exception" he added.