The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1915-05-14
TAFT PRESENTS
PLAN FOR PEACE
OUTLINES SCHEME FOR WORLD
COURT.
Former President Suggests Solemn
League to Insure Submission of
Issues to Tribunal.

Issues to Tribunal.
|, Cleveland, Ohio, May 12.-Former
President William Howard Taft,
speaking to the Worlds Court con-
.gress, tonight outlined his plan for
the establishment Of league of peace
and arbitral court, with the object Of
settling by arbitration differences be-
tween the nations of the world and
preventing further wars Such a league
should include all the great nations,
Mr.. Taft explained, with an agreement
that should any signatory power be-
gin war against another member with
out first submitting its grievance to
the court all the other signatories
would be bound to join in a ''forcible
defense of the member thus prema-
turely attacked"
That this idea of an international
tribunal is practical and feasible, Mr..
Taft said, is shown by the successful
operation of the constitutional courts
of arbitration in this country which
have settled controversies between
the States and the so-called general
arbitration treaties negotiated by Phil
ander C. Knox, while secretary Of
state, with France and England to sub
nit justiciable disputes to arbitration.
A New Step.
81 am aware that membership in
this league would involve on the part
of the United States an obligation to
take part in European and Asiatic
wars" he said, "and that in this re-
spect it would be a departure from
the traditional policy of this country
in avoiding entangling alliances with
European or Asiatic countries.
But l conceive that the interest of
the United States in the close rela-
tions it has of business and social
character with the other countries of
the world would justify it, if such a
league could be formed, running the
risk in making more probable the
securing of the inestimable boon of
peace of the world that now seems
so far away.
"To constitute an effective league
of peace we do not need all the ma
tions. Such an agreement between
eight or nine of the great powers of
Europe, Asia and America would fur
nisn useful restraint upon possible
war. Tie successful establishment of
a peace league between the great pow
ers would draw into livery quickly the
less powerful nations.
What should be the fundamental
plan of this league?
Should Have Power.
"In the first place it ought to pro-
vide for the formation of a court
which would be given jurisdiction by
the consent of all the members of the
league to consider and decide justicia-
bic questions between them, or any of
them, which have not yielded to negro
tiations, according to principles of in
ternational law and equity so that the
court Should be vested with power
upon the. application of any member
of the league to decide the issue as
to whether the question arising is JUS
ticiable.
Second. A commission of concilia-
ton for the consideration and recon-
mendation of the solution of all non
justiciable questions tnat may arise
between the members of the league
Should be created and this commission
should have power to hear evidence,
investigate the causes of differences
and mediate between the parties and
then make its recommendations for a
settlement.
Third. Conferences should be held
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