The state herald., 1915-05-21
WORLD ALLIANCE
URGED BY TAFT
FORMER EsIDEN THINKS
TIME RIPE FOR AN INrERNA-
TIoNAL COURT OF JUSTICE.
PLAN PROVED FEASIBLE
ASKS CITIZENS OF COUNTRY TO
STAND BY WILSON IN PHILA-
DELPHlA ADDRESS.
Western Newspaper Union News Service.

| Western Newspaper Union News Service.
Cleveland, Ohio.-Former President
William Howard Taft, speaking at
the Worlds Court Congress Wednes-
day outlined his plan for the estab-
lishment of League of Peace and
Arbitration Court with the object of
settling by arbitration differences be-
tween the nations of the world and
preventing further wars.
AT time when nearly all of Eu-
rope is at war and our own country
is uncomfortably near to the disturb
ance, the launching of a plan for an
international court of justice seems
propitious," he said.
Such league should include all
the great nations, Mr.. Taft explained.
with an agreement that should any
signatory power begin war against
another member without first sub
hitting its grievance to the court, all
the other signatories would be bound
to join in a forcible defense of MEM
bers thus prematureiy attacked.
II 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. land that in this re-
spect II would be departure from
the traditional policy of the United
States in avoiding entangling alli-
ances with European or Asiatic coun-
tries.
But conceive that the interest of
the United States in the close rela-
tons 1t has of business and social
character with the other countries Of
the world. much closer now than ever
before. would justify II in running the
risk that there might be of such a war.
ITO constitute an effective league
OF peace, We do not need all the ma
tons. Such an agreement between
eight or nine OF the great powers OF
Europe. Asia and America would fur
nish useful restraint upon possible
war. The successful establishment OF
a peace league between the great
powers would draw into 1t very
quickly the less powerful nations"
Philadelphia. Pa Former S.jsi-
dent William II. Taft urged patience
and calmness In the present interna'
|tional situation, and called upon the
citizens of the country to stand by
President Wilson. in an address at
the Unioa League here.
Referring to the sinking OF the
Lusitania, Prof. Taft said the ''inhu-
manity OF the circumstances in the
case presses us on. but in the heat OF
even Just Indignation is not the best
time to act, when action involves
such momentous consequences and
means untold loss OF life and treas
ure.
There are things worse than war;
Mr.. Taft declared. but delay due to
calm deliberation cannot change the
situation or minimize the effect OF
what We finally conclude TO do.
But we must bear in mind that II
we have a war II is the people who
must pay, with lives and money, the
cost OF It. and, therefore. they should
not be hurried into the sacrifice until
II is clear that they wish II and know
what they are doing when they
wish II.
"A demand for war that cannot sur
viye the passion OF the first days OF
public Indignation and will not en-
dure the test OF delay and dclibera-
tion by all the people is not one that
should be yielded to-"