The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-05-13

C. Knox, while secretary Of state, with
France and England, to submit jus
ticable disputes to arbitration. Mr..
Taft explained the methods employed
in. adjusting Interstate differences, as
sertfng that the procedure is anal
ogous- to that of the international
court which he proposed.
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
war;" he said,. land that in this re-
spect it would be a departure from
the traditional policy of the United
States in avoiding entangling alliances
with European or Asiatic countries
Is Worth the Risk.
But / conceive that the interest
of the United States in. the close ,rela-
lions it has of a business and social
character with the other countries OF
the world, much closer now than ever
before, would justify it, if such
league could be formed, running the
risk that there might be of such
war, in making more probable the
securing of the inestimable boon of
peace of the world that now seems
so far away.
ut is not too much to say he add
ed, that the habit. of arbitration is
so fixed that a treaty to secure such
a settlement in future issues would
not make it more certain than it is.
1t is interesting to note that we now
have two permanent arbitral English
American commissions settling ques-
tons"
With the opening here yesterday
afternoon of the Worlds Court Con-
gross, movement was formally
launched which Its advocates claim is
the greatest advance yet taken toward
lasting peace among the world powers.
Notable Men Sponsors.
Prominent men from all over the
country including Mr.. Taft, Alton B.
Parker and Henry Clews were present,
giving assurances, Mayor Newton D.
Baker said in his welcoming address,
that the movement sis not visionary,
nor Impractical"
Each speaker at the opening session
dwelt on the stable character of the
congress plan outlined by Mr. Taft
This body is not SO foolish as to
conceive that war would be made inn
possible by such court" said John
Hayes Hammond, chairman, in an adj
dress opening the elaboration. What
we hope to do is to minimize the pos
sibilities of war;
Not Rainbow Chasers.
Former President Taft said:
"a movement like this loses force by
making claims of what it will accom-
plish. But. we are trying to be prae-
teal. We are not rainbow chasers
and we are not offering a millennium"
He added:
Eat time when nearly all Of Eu-
rope is at war and our country is un
comfortably near to the disturbance
the launching of a plan for fnterna-
tional court of justice seems propi-
tious."
Mr.. Parker and Mr.. cambridge
Colby of New York spoke last night
Clews ExteIs Wilson
Henry Clews, speaker at this morn
ing's session, praised President Will
sons effort in behalf of peace.
while yielding to none in my life
long devotion to the principles of the
Republican party" he said, "due
credit must be given the present adj
ministration for it's accomplishments
for the cause of peace. President Will
son has done noble work"
Mr.. C1ews said he believed that uni
versal peace, through the application
of an international court of justice,
would ultimately prevail.
1.-The United States. always in the
vanguard of progress and enlighten-
ment, will lead the nations to the ulti-
mate goal he declared. of the pres
ent war, Mr.. Clews said: .
After all is sand to the causes of
the war, the fact remains that mill
tarism was its predominating motive,
and back of that was the personal
am bition of certain rulers and their
immed following