Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-05-27
Taft Tells Objects
Of the Peace League
Former President Declares Washington Session
Is Not to Urge Duty upon President but Ex-
presses Hope That Such Steps May Be Taken
Discussion of Propo sails Intended as 'Work-
ING HypOthesis'

ll6 NJ +
washington, May 26.-The object of thee
raague 10 Enforce Peace is not to urge
President Wilson to take steps to stop
Tho nresent war, former President Taft,
nresident of the league, declared today In
onenins its two days session here. I'VE
arc NOT here" said he, Ito urge upon the
nresen, administration steps to stop the
nreeent war. Not that we are not hope
Fl, that such steps may be taken and not
that we do not look with the greatest
satisfaction on any indications that the
war is to come TO an end, but we believe
that a definite purpose, purpose with
limitations for an association like this,
is much more likely to be realized than
General platform for the benefit of hui
mainly"
Hone for World Agreement
The league hoped, Mr.. Taft said, for
a world agreement on a method to make
war less probable.
We are met" he continued, Ito
hear the various proposals discussed.
These proposals are working hypothe-
sis which we wish to present to the
rcnple Of the United States for their
support. 50 that those who represent
ms in an Internal ional conference may
know that the good people of the Unit
ed States, in majority. are back of
them That is the object OF the
league"
Former President Taft
Acceptance of membership by the
United States in world court in which
the Joint powers would use armed and
economic forces to enforce it's DEGREES
in the interest of international peace
was urged today by former President
Taft now president of the league, be-
fore the League to Enforce Peace. Mr..
Taft's address was closely confined to
the technical legal questions involved
in joinder by the United States by such
an International tribunal. He denied
that such action would curtail the pow
er and authority of either the Presi-
dent or Congress by limiting the con-
sttution discretion of the latter body
10 declare war.
Mr.. Taft explained that the league S
Platform proposes compulsory submits
sion to the world court of an inter-
national dispute not settled by diplo-
matte negotiation and which are JUS
ticiable questions"
Objection UntenabIe
Referring to the so-called BRYAN
peace treaties with England and France,
Mr. Taft said it was argued that the
arbitration stipulation in them was a
delegation of the authority of the Pres
iden and Senate over foreign rea-
tons
But on reason and authority this
objection is untenable,' said Mr. Taft
Since the jay treaty of 1894, Mr.. Taft
said some American nation had been
party 10 81 international treaties of
when the United States was involved
IN two-thrds. IN ten of these. which
were boundary treaties" Mr.. Taft con-
uhued' tit was never suggested that
me government was delegatine any
Po"er 10 an agent-it is submission
VI an ISSUE 10 Judge and it is a mis-
hohef TO call such a submission dele
cation.
me question whether a court has
Jurlsdlcton is nothing but a question
VI law. The Senate has consented from
'o'n arising and defined by language
VI 'he treaty of submission. The last
'''aoie instance and the one which
moves really permanent court, is
"V duN1ce and consent by our Senate
me Hague international prize
N'1F' convention in which a perma-
'Al International prize court was es-
tabished."
~ Issue with Bryan
"i'i''g 10 the question of the duty
nation belonging to the proposed
W." court to use its army and navy
!" enforcing it's DEGREES upon other
JUMPERS that should go to war in def
te OF the courts DEGREES, Mr.. Taft
y.N issue with former Secretary Of
'd'e BRYAN regarding Mr.. Bryan's
h'4oh that a constitutional
iument would be necessary before
vac United States would oblisate it.
eil IN this respect.
VI bryan declared that in order
carry out the provision we must
JOINT council of the powers to
''"if'e when the time had arrived
y, military action and war" said
,a AT and that this would substi-
'he action Of the council for the
oie'on OF Congress. I venture to
fa mat this view is wholly without
1"ua'ion II the war is a foreign
'' II could not be begun under the
s''ution until Congress had de-
ea war To impose in a constitu-
,Y'a' way by treaty an obligation on
OhsFess does not take away its pow
II 10 discharge it or to refuse to dis
charge it"