The Topeka state journal., 1916-12-15

discussion of the plan of arbitration
and in illustrating his points. But in
his use of wit he drove home his
arguments for world peace plans
Take Grievances to Court.
Under the plan we bring to you,
all nations must submit their disputes
to a court of arbitration" he said.
This war would have been avoided
and Austria and Servi.. submitted their
griefs to a court for compromise.
Now our plan is that force shall be
used where nations refuse to await
action by arbitration and seek to
throw the world into war. By that
mean we must have an international
police force that will make certain OBJ
servance of the agreement. If they
won't permit or give time to settlement
by arbitration, then we shall join TO
settle that difference by force if neces-
sary.
why we are all in favor of peace
some of US more than others. But
sane practical men must take charge
of this thing and there are sane. sensi-
BILE men who know the value of peace
and will face these matters in a sane
but practical manner
Not a Mere Whim.
This is not a mere theory, or i'm
aginary whim. 1t is something that
big, practical men encourage and ad-
vance.
TT is very wise and just that this
league must have something to say
about the armament-the police force,
if you please-of all nations. Why
England might now want assurance in
event of peace that some guarantee
may be given that they will not face
such another crisis. And in such de-
mands are recognitions of our plan to
enforce peace for all people"
Taft referred to the power in con-
gress concerning the right to declare
war. He said there were always un-
certainties as to what congress might
do in settlement of international af
fairs. why. 1 have known times
when it was mighty uncertain what
congress would do. And then there
are people who do not believe we
should have armies or use force. All
l have to say about that is it amt so.
Just, if you please, as a parent turns
a child over his knee just to help the
future generation. 1t is the presence,
not the use, which gets results from
eleme ents of force.
This is a league to enforce arbi
tration and settle remedial disputes.
We don't believe in war or in force
unless it is necessary. But first we
want to know that use of such force
is ecessary-just as it is necessary
for your police force to act"
Mexico a Nuisance.
Mexico is an international nuisance
and We are right up against it, was
the former presidents reference to the
Mexican situation. And there is the
Monroe doctrine-lil1e the poor, some
thing we always have with u.s.
In the next war, Taft declared, there
Will be no room for neutrals.
Then everyone will want in this
league, because there won't be any
place to get under cover if we are
not. Everyone and everything will be
! fha -
creases as it has in the last few years.
This movement means sacrifice. 1t
means enlistment and awakening of
the interests of the people. Reitera-
tion-damnable reiteration-is neces-
sary. Now we want you to enlist
Kansas is different than 1 think she
is if she will let the east lead her.
Joked His Way Thru.
William Howard Taft, ex-president
of the United States, joked and guf-
| fawed his way back into the hearts
| of 500 Topeka business men at the
Chamber of Commerce this noon. For
thirty minutes the big man with the
peculiar guffaw, who laughs at his
own Jokes before anyone knows that
they are, kept the audience in an up
roar as he cracked one joke after an
other, all at his own expense.
isn't he a good old sport ?'
You just can't beat him.
| Il never saw anyone with such good
sporting blood in his veins'
| These were expressions heard as the
audience crammed its way out of the
| Chamber of Commerce and hurried to
the city auditorium where the main
address was delivered by Mr.. Taft.
John s. Dean introduced the speaker.
Taft opened his after dinner talk
by referring to Mayor House, who had
announced that he would sit beside
the ex-president and that he was one
of the men in Kansas who had voted
for Taft.
| Il wish to say that your mayor in