New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-11-25
SCHIFF URGESU.S.
PEACE MOVE NOW
Tells Taft League Not to
Delay Action Until
Wars End

Pledges Of good will toward the
movement for compulsory arbitration
Of international disputes were received
from high officials of Great Britain,
Germany and France last night at a
dinner in the Hotel Astor of the
League to Enforce Peace. William H.
Taft, president Of the league, presided
and expounded the purpose and hope
Of the organization.
He was followed by United States
Senator William J. Stone, chairman Of
the Foreign Relations Committee Of
the Senate, and Jacob H. Schiff, both
Of whom took a somewhat more pessi-
mistic view of the leagues possiblli-
ties than did their predecessor, point
ing out certain difficulties which had
occurred to them.
Schif Wants Action Now
Mr.. Schif questioned the "hands off,
policy Of the league regarding the pres
ent conflict.
as it in reality" he asked, "the in
tention to sit still and await the mo-
ment when, of the powers now facing
each other, one side or the other shall
have become completely exhausted and
vanquished, brought to its knees and
compelled into acceptance of whatever
terms the victors may deem well to
grant, before the proposed League to
Enforce Peace shall, through Americas
initiative, be brought into existence ?"
"Can it for a moment be imagined
that a peace entered into as just out
lined can have real permanency and
that league to enforce peace. how
ever powerful, could, in the long run,
be able to maintain a peace thus con-
cluded?'
Holding aloof from the European
war, the league would jeopardize the
utility of its movement, Mr.. Schiff de-
dared. II would mean waiting until
European peace terms had been set
tied, he said, or continuing ain the
dark with the hope and expectation
that before long effective measures
shall be taken to bring together the
warning nations"
at has recently been said by q
/ leading London daily" he continued,
that America has become the trustee
of the interests of humanity This is
a tr'rsm in which we ourselves thor
oughly believe, and, if this be so. is
IL not high time that. as a good trus-
tee. America take courage and in
ltiate steps which shall indeed result
IN the protection of the interests Of
humanity which Providence has. for
the time being, placed into our
guardianship?
Wars End Indefinite
This conflict, as the situation has
shaped itself. is not likely to end very
soon. AID will continue until some
rcwerful factor notwithstanding the
discoursgemen this may at first re.
cclve- step between these impassioned
leligerents and persist until both
sides name terms upon which peace
NAV he discussed, so that gradually
a basis for negotiations may thus be-
come evolved"
although tentatively favoring the
proposal" said Senator Stone. my
vision is not clear respecting II: /
want peace. but also. even more than
peace, ! want national honor ana Sc
curity."
Senator Stones most serious misglv-
inrs concerned the mon justiciable'
questions which, according to the plan
Of the league, are to be settled by IN
ternational councils Of conciliation.
From Mr. Taft's speech II was to De
gathered that the revising OF lnterna-
tional law would be sufficiently com
plete TO make clear what question,
could be settled under IL by the world
court and what would have TO be re-
ferred to the councils OF conciliation.
But" asked Senator Stone, what
are the nom -justiciable questions? How
is the line TO be drawn? ! confess
mvself somewhat confused. How far
and 10 what extent nations might agree
70 release control over non-justicisble
questions by submitting them even TO a
fonfiuued m nage . column O