Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-05-26
Convention Open S in
Washington with For
mer President Taft in
the Chair
President Wilson a Speaker,
with Lodge, Straus, Baker,
Marburg and Others-Root,
Gibbons and Schurman Write
Letters Commencing the
High Purpose

Washington, D. c., May 25.-Much
interest is being shown in the first an
nual national assemblage Of the
League to Enforce Peace, which con-
venes here tomorrow MAY 26) the
principal feature Of which is to be an
address to be made at one OF the ses-
sons by President Wilson. EXPRESS
dent Taft, who is the head of the
League, will preside at all of the SEES
sions. The convention is to last two
days, ending with a banquet at the
New Willard Hotel Saturday evening
Other addresses will be made by
Newton D. Baker, Secretary of war;
Senator Lodge of Massachusetts. Os-
car S. Straus, former Ambassador to
Turkey, Theodore Marburg, former
l.. S. Minister to Belgium, President A.
Lawrence Lowell of Harvard Uni
versity, r. G.. Rhett, President of the
Chamber of Commerce Of the United
States, Benjamin Ide Wheeler, Presi-
dent of the University OF California.
Edward A. Filene, Hamilton Holt,
George Grafton Wilson. Talcott Will
liams. John Bates Clark, Philip II.
Cadsden, J. Mott Hallowell. Herbert ).
Houston, Thomas Raeburn White.
Charles S. Ward, Nehemiah Boynton.
Harry A. Wheeler. Franklin II. Gid
dings, Smaller Mathews, Oliver Wilson,
of the National Grange, and Samuel
Gompers of the American Federation
Of Labor.
While d great deal of satisfaction
was manifested at the Leagues head
tba int that
President and others of the acminls-
ration are taking IN the Leagues
propaganda for a league Of nations to
be formed at the close of the present
va in Europe, it was pointed out that
the Leagues supporters comprise Wit
a few exceptions. all of the political
leaders in the country.
Emphasis was made of the fact that
tomorrow's convention was called at
this time largely for the purpose of
obtaining political action in support or
the Leagues proposals. in view of the
possible participation by this country
in international conferences to discuss
peace terms, which will probably be
held as the European war draws to a
close.
The Leagues proposals are said to
have the support Of Lord Bryce. Sir
Edward Grey, and to be regarded fav.
orably by other Europeans
The League to Enforce Peace was
organized in Independence Hall las.
June, when a platform was adopted,
which proposes that the United States
join a league to be composed of the
great powers. who shall guarantee a
lasting peace by pledging the use of
their joint armed forces, together with
economic pressure. against any
signatory which shall refuse to keep
its agreement to try arbitrational or
conciliatory methods before beginning
hostilities or declaring war. 1t does
not propose enforcing the decree. Ma
tons, under the plan, may go to war
eventually, if arbitration or concilia-
ton fails.
The committee gave out three let
tiers, from Elihu Root to President
Lowell Of Harvard written in Febru-
airy, but not hitherto published, from
Cardinal Gibbons ano from President
j. G. Schurman, Of Cornell University,
to ex-President TAFT.
Mr.. Roots letter follows:
Root Letter.
NY dear Mr.. Lowell:
I heartily agree with the purpose and
general principle Of the League to En-.
force Peace. 1t seems clear to me that
II we are ever to get away from the nee
essity for great ornaments and special
alliances. with continually recurring wars
growing more and more destructive. II
must be by a more systematic treatment
of International disputes brought about
by common agreement among civilized
nations. 1t seems to me that any such
system must include the better formu'
lation of international law, the estap'
iishment of an International court to ap:
Ply ne ay and general sSs
tha court also think the Court OF Con.
for dealing viii, Her 2usds ss2as,e ~h AZ
a ~ .n,ne narts of your proposals which
70 into into details Of method. however.
Cannot agree. They probably s are no, no.
necessary to the principle for which YOU
are seeking public support. and for the
establishment Of that principle nd you sh naVe
so with kind regards, l am,