The Washington times., 1915-02-23
TAFT CALLS WARNING
NATIONS j. s. MENACE
Urges Americans Of Every Race
to Support His Successor in
Crisis.

MoRRIsTOwN., N. J.. Feb. GA
warning that the United States Is
threatened by European belligerents
with an invasion of its rights was given
by William Howard Taft. former Presi-
dent. in q speech before the Washing
ton Association of New Jersey.
The United states. according to Taft,
IA face to face with a crisis In its ef-
forts to preserve its commerce. He
voiced a warning that the jingo spirit
must not be permitted to prevail in
solving this crisis, nor must any pride
or momentary passion enter into our
All party lines and all differences
must be dropped d In united stand be-
hind President Wilson. when the Execu-
tive acts in the matter. said Taft.
American Interest In War.
Quoting from a reservation in the
treaty Of Algeciras. proclaimed in 1907
and entered into by the United States
and eleven European nations, including
most of those now at war, Taft said
"Our interest in the present war.
therefore. under the conditions that eN-
this reservation. to wit:
ITO preserving and increasing the
commerce of the United States with
the belligerents; to the protection as
citizens living or travelling in their
countries. and to the aiding by our
friendly OFFICES and efforts in bringing
those countries to peace.
have been made as complete as pos
sfble. for the President has already
rendered his good offices by way Of
mediation between the powers, and
they have not been accepted.
"in preserving the commerce of the
United states with the belligerents,
however. we are face to face with a
crisis. We are threatened with seri-
t9,.s. s."0'"s WIN '"' 'e"'sef'"' ''""
Innovation BY Belligerents.
"what certainly is an innovation upon
previous rules in respect to neutral
commerce and contraband Of war has
been initiated by belligerents Of both
sides. The planting of mines in the
open sea and the use of submarines to
send neutral vessels to the bottom
without inquiry as to their neutrality
When found in n so-called war zone of
tho open sea are all of them varia-
tion from the rules Of international law
governing the action Of belligerents to-
ward neutral trade.
when their violation results in the
destruction of the lives of American
citizens. or Of American property. q
grave Issue VIII arise as to what the
duty Of this Government is. The re-
sponsibility Of the President and Con-
gress In meeting the critical issue thus
presented Is maintaining our national
rights and our national honor on the
one hand, with due regard to the awful
consequences Of our 90.OO0.OO0 OF people
Of engaging in this horrible world
war, on the other. will be very great.
1T involves on their part a judg-
ment 80 momentous in its consequences
that we should earnestly pray that the
necessity for 1t may be averted.
Confidence In Leaders.
"1f however. the occasion arises. we
can be confident that those in authority
will be actuated by the highest pa
triotic motives and by the deepest con-
Germ for our national welfare. We must
not allow our pride or nomentary pas
sion to influence our Judgment.
I'VE must exercise the deiberation
that the fateful consequences in the loss
Of our best blood and enormous waste
OF treasure would necessarily impose
upon us. We must allow no jingo spirit
TO prevail.
I'VE must abide the Judgment Of those
in whom we have intrusted the author.
ity. and when the President shall act
We must stand by him to the end.
I'm this determination we may be
sure that all will join. no matter what
their previous views. no matter what
their European origin. All will forget
their differences in self-sacrificing 10y
atty to our common flag and our COM
mon country"