The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-02-03
TAFT ANSWERS
FEEBLE FOLLY"
Says Roosevelt Apparently
Has Not Read the Peace
Leagues Proposals
A WORLD POLICE
is INTENDED
Expects That World Would
Be Rid of Most of
It's Wars

washington, ~. ", req. 1.--N lllld III
Howard Taft, former president, in an ad
dress before the national Chamber OF
Commerce here last night further defend
ed the idea of League to Enforce Peace
from criticism which it has received al
the hands of Theodore Roosevelt, W. j
Bryan Senator Borah of Idaho and 9th
ers. The national Chamber of Commerce
has given it's support to the proposals OF
the league, fact, Mr.. Taft said, which
had carried much influence in this coun-
try and abroad.
with Difference to the ability of our
opponents to grasp our proposals by in
before they are contemptuously rejected,
or scattered into bits by verbal lyddite,
they are entitled to study.
"Mr. Roosevelt, apparently without
reading its proposals, denounced the
league as feeble folly and as prompted
by motives peculiarly base because it
would enforce the judgment of courts of
arbitration Then upon learning that
the proposals do not involve enforcement
of judgments, he charaeterizes them as a
fragrant deception of the public Sen
ator Borah denounces the plan of the
league to be 'heinous, immoral and vic
ious.' These are three formidable adiec-
tives, of which one would seem adequate
to carry the argument The senator,
however, qualities his words by disavow-
ing intention to assail individuals. The
senator should look to his laurels in the
field of verbal warfare and slaughter, be-
cause such lenieney may exclude him
from the class of epithetical statesmen"
"The purpose of the league" Mr.. Taft
explained, sis to organize the worlds
strength into an international police to
enforce procedure with respect to is
sues likely to lead to war, which will
prevent all wars but those which moth
ing can prevent.
"The procedure TO be enforced Is the
submission of questions of a legal nature,
the decision of which must be guided by
rules of law, to an internationa court
for its judgment, and the submission of
all other questions to an impartial com
mission to hear and decide. its decision
to take the form of recommendation of
compromise. The judgment of the legal
question of the court will be legally and
in honor binding on the parties. That is
implied in a submission to a court. The
recommendation of compromise, however,
is not in law or in honor binding unless
the parties accept it. The league does
not purpose to enforce either. Sometime
if the league comes into successful OPP
Grafton, it may be thought we'll to en-
force judgments just as domestic judg-
ments are enforced. The difficulty, how
ever, that even the supreme court of the
United States has in enforcing its iudg-
ments against sovereign states may give
pause in taking that step. The enforce
ment of recommendations of compromise
presents a still more serious problem. |
Nations may well hesitate to submit |
questions of policy and vital interests to
the unlimited discretion of arbitrators. !
unguided by settled principles of law, for
their final decision, and its enforcement |
by the world police.
practically, if we enforce the proce-
lure of the league we shall take a step |
which will rid us of most wars. Ii every |
ssue between nations is forced to arbi-
tration and judgment or recommendation
Of compromise, it will compel delibera-
ion by those who think of war, it will
,h"piN eho "
stand what it is they are to fight about,
ind what the attitude of their opponents
s. The decision of impartial tribunals
,snnot but have great influence, and will
orm the public opinion of the world.
The period of delay itself will abate heat
md induce calmer views. 1t is the sue
essful practice of arbitration that leads
o its adoption. The first half century
II our peace with England, after the
reaty of Client, was full of strains upon
'ur peaceful relations. eliminating in
hose of the Civil war. Then through
he Joint high commission of 1871, we
lad the two arbitrations, one of the Ala
anna claims, in which England was
nulcted for $l5,000,000, and the other of
he fisheries claim, in which we were pen {
liked to the extent of s5,000,000 These
ave us TO know the real utility of arbi-
ration. England did not like the Geneva
ward. We did not like the Halifax {
ward. But we both played the game |
ccording to rule and paid the money. !
ince that we have had arbitrations with q
anada over many questions and now we .
ave a permanent tribunal for settling I
isputes over boundary waters and an {
Their for money claims The effect of {
hose arbitrations has created habit be- q
ween the two countries. No one imag- 7
hes war between the United States 5
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