The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1915-06-17
Distinguished Americans
Met in Philadelphia To-
day for Conference
TAFT OUTLINED
THE PROPOSALS
Conference Does Not Rep
resent Anyone But the
se Members

Philadelphia, June l7.--N4en distin
gished in many walks of life gathered il
Independence hall to-day for confer
ence to consider the adoption OF propos
ais for a league of peace. Former Pres
ident William Howard Taft presided.
The conference took up the plan which
was outlined by Mr.. Taft last evening
when the former president expressed
bis, opinion that a league of peace could
be formed which would BILE nations
to avoid war by furnishing practical
means for settling international quarrels
or 'suspending them until the binding
heat of passion had cooled"
"ln calling this meeting, Mr. Taft
said, 1--WE wish first to say that we do not
represent anybody but ourselves We
are not here to suggest means of bring
ing this war to an end
when the world conference is held
our country will have its official rep
resentatives to speak for us. We will
not be there, but if We shall have framed
a practical plan for league of peace
our official representatives may accept
it and present it to the conference as
their own.
I'm no way has the direct interest
that neutrals have in preventing war
between neighbors been so clearly made
known. This interest of neutrals has
been so forced upon them that it would
require only a slight development and
growth in the law OF international re-
lations to develop that interest into a
rs.y N ha tnI hafn
among neighbors can be begun. This
step we hope to have taken by the for
nation of peace league of the great
powers whose primary and fundamental
principles shall be that no war can take
place between any two members of the
league until they have restored to the
that the league proposes to
furnish to settle the controversy likely
to lead to war.
'If any member refuses to use this
and attacks another member
Of the league in breach of his league OBJ
legation all members OF the league agree
TO defend the members attacked by force.
I'VE do not think the ultimate re-
sort TO force can be safely omitted from
IN effective league of peace. We sim
,erely hope that it may never become
necessary and that the deterrent effect |
IF its inevitable use in case of a breach |
,f the league obligation will help mate |
rally TO give sanction 10 the laws of
he league and to render resort to force
,vodable.
"Ne are not peace at any price men
because we do not think we have reached |
he time when plan based on the COM
,lete abolition Of war is practicable.
Ne do not think Il necessary 10 call
,eace at any price men towards or APP
,ly other epithets 10 them.
"To, those who differ from us in our
lew of the necessity for this feature
4 possible force we say we respect your
ttitude We admit your claim to sim
ere patriotism TO be as just as ours New
We differ from you in judg
nent that war can be completely avoid.
4. We believe il is still necessary TO
Sc a threat Of overwhelming force of
great league with a willingness TO
lake the threat good in order 10 fright
n nations into a use Of rational and
eaceful means to settle their issues
18th their associates Of the league. Nor
re We militants or iingoes. We are try.
~ TO follow a middle path"