Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-05-26

auuAcsS, ISpicle Win itkdl anu
statements Of precedent, former President
Taft defended the plan for the establish
ment of permanent court to decide all
justlcable questions arising between ma
sions as fathered by the League TO Enforce
Peace. AS president of the league which
was organized in Independence Hall last
June, the former Chief Executive presided
over the first annual convention of the or
ganization and replied in detail to the
objections that have been raised in various
quarters against its plans.
The convention is one of the most notable
ever held in Washington and will come to a
climax tomorrow night when President VIII
son is expected to discuss international
arbitration and indicate why he does not
consider the time ripe for renewal OF his
original offer Of mediation to the European
Aelligerents.
FORMER PRESIDENTS ADDRESS.
In opening his address Mr. Taft explained
that he had been assigned TO reply to the
constitutional objections raised against the
first and third planks in the platform of the
League. The first provides for the estab-
lishment of permanent court and the third
for the enforcement of the decisions of such
permanent court by the military and naval
forces of the signatories to the convention
In connection with the first objection the
claim has been raised that it would be inn
possible to decide what questions are and
what are not 1usticiable and also that
the President and Senate have no authority
under the Constitution to enter into such
an agreement. The court would. Mr.. Taft
explained decide this question itself upon
its merits. The right to enter into such an
agreement, the speaker argued, is certain.
He said:
The United States is a nation. and from
> foreign standpoint sovereign nation |
without limitation OF It's sovereignty; il |
power. consent to any agreement with other
Powers relating to matters that are usually |
considered and made the subject of trea-
ties.'
RIGHT TO MAKE TREATIES.
Mr.. Taft then cited various precedents |
which he explained showed the undisputable |
authority of the President and Senate to |
enter into arbitration treaties along the |
lines suggested by the league. The Senate |
already was record, he said. as favor |
Ing the establishment of a permanent in |
ternational prize court
Taking up the objections TO the third |
plank. permitting the use of the military |
and naval forces of the signatory nations |
10 enforce the DEGREES of the court which. |
II Is claimed, violates the Constitution by |
taking away from Congress the power TO |
declare war, Mr.. Taft took sharp issue with |
former Secretary OF State Bryan The |
latter recently declared to the Lake Mohonlx |
@ohleEeuce tnht the plank violated the Com |
stitntion. In this connection Mr.. Taft said: |
II venture to think that this view ia |
wholly without foundation. Although il is |
not necessary, I am willing to accent the |
assumption that some kind of a council |
should be appointed by the Powers to make |
the announcements when the time had come |
Tor the use of economic and military forces |
against the recalcitrant member. Does that
take away from Congress the power to |
declare war? II does not.
POWER OF CONGRESS.
III the war is a foreign one il could not |
be begun under the Constitution until |
Congress had declared war Con-
gress might decline 70 exercise its power |
and declare war. What would be the effect |
of that II would merely be a breach OF |
faith on the part OF the United States and |
We would not go to war IL II Con-
eress fails 10 declare war and thus comply |
With the binding obligations created by the |
treaty-maAing power then Il merely breaks |
the contract OF the Government. IL is left |
70 Congress TO carry out that which we in |
3 constitutional way have agreed 10 do. |
thus q impose In a constitutional way by |
treaty an obligation on Congress Is not 70 |
kAke away It's power to discharge Il or |
refuse 70 discharge it,
As proof Mr. Taft cited the treaty with |
Panama under which the United states |
guarantees the Independence Of that re- |
public We are under obligations 10 do /
81. he said. hut II war must be declared |
70 keep that pledge Congress must declare |
I1" a similar condition exists In regard 10 |
cuba, he former President said
ARAAaIENTs FAIL SAYS sTRAus
The mililarist pot can't call ths pacifst
settle black Oscar S. stfanB, former AM |
hassadof 70 Turkey. declared In his speech |
= nacinsfs are disappointed Al the apparent |
Hack q results Of The Hague Conference
Eas mlIltarists may well withhold their Jsers
foH minutes. he said. while thsy think |
sftI thslF own shortcomings
F4sE aImAments, urged a. the best |
z.1anz IS bring about permanent peace" hs |
HaHs certainly failed as decisigely, |
ao4 In1aiIelx more appaliingly. than have /
zh4 4az4s advocates
4sazf pacIhsts nor mighf. unieas dolnl- |
a f|EhE can achiere parmanent /
=e ~ EHa48nt tee pr1reH2 Har had 1
44Hz7aI QznleVai z4zira 81 4