Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-02-03
us. CRISIS THEME
OF WILLIAM H. TAFT
Warns Germany Against Fur
thur "Unprovoked Aggres-
sion" Toward NeutraIs.
MAY ENFORCE JUST PEACE

William H. Taft, former President of
the United States, last night warned
the world that Germany may force the
United States into what he called "a
league to enforce a just peace" by her
recently announced course in her bat
ties with her enemies. Mr.. Taft, who
was scheduled to speak upon the sub
ject of 1.-THE League to Enforce Peace"
took up the question of the German
crisis in the affairs of the United States,
which closed the fifth annual conven-
ton of the Chamber Of Commerce of
the United States, which has been in
session here the past week.
After replying to the criticisms of
the league to enforce peace which
have been leveled at that world plan
by Theodore Roosevelt, former Presi-
dent of the United States; Senator
Borah, William J. Bryan, former Sec
rotary of State, and others, Mr.. Taft,
gestures, took up the question of the
German crisis
Talks of Actual Dangers.
He said:
IT had prepared this address before
Germany startled this country and all
dangers with which it brings US face
been discussing theoretical. tame and
inappropriate. The truth is, however.
that this great crisis only emphasizes
the Importance Of the purpose and plan
of the league in the future history Of
this country.
''Of all things we would avoid war.
We are not prepared for it. The awful
consequences we know from Europe's
suffering. Our prayer is for some es-
cape from it in this critical hour, con-
sistent with our national honor and
vital interests. But we must face the
facts.
I'm her campaign against her enemies
Germany proposes ruthlessly to wage
neutrals in fragrant violation of their
rights. She began with Belgium. She
now includes them all. Our national
conscience is void of offense against
her. Her cruel and indefensible drown
ing without warning Of more than 81
hundred innocent Americans on the
Lusitania we condoned in view of her
pledge against repetition. That pledge
is now withdrawn and she avows her
purpose to resume her shocking course.
Germany "Unprovoked Aggressor."
eff war is to come between us she will
be the unprovoked aggressor. We would
avoid being drawn into the European
vortex by every honorable concession. If
she forces us into it she will do so by hvr
defiance Of plain principles of justice and
humanity which should obtain between
civilized nations.
I'm spite of her great strength and
efficiency. Germany's manifest
weakness has been in a failure to under
stand other peoples and to appreciate the
moral forces working in them She may
of q ftlf
tolerant war-hating giant she would chal-
lenge. She may overestimate, as she has
done before in the case of other nations.
the influence Of sordid motives, of the
nrentS among US. which she may expect
to paralyze our action. She may stir an
active patriotism in our people which she
does not suspect. She may shock us into
a real preparation for war and the sac
rif1ce it involves as nothing else can.
She may push us at once into a
league to enforce just peace. She
may force us into an organization OF
our potential military strength on the
one hand and into a moral leadership
in the maintenance of international
Justice on the other. Thenceforth our
isolation from the wars and welfare of
the rest Of the world would be at an
end. When peace would come the eyes
of our people. in spite of warnings of
statesmen who are looking backward,
would be opened, not only to the wis
dom, but to the necessity Of our lead
ing the nations into permanent
worlds league to enforce peace.
Responsibility every Heavy"
The responsibility which now rests
on the President and on Congress is
very heavy. They should know, and
do know. that the American people will
back them to the end in their decision.
May God give them good deliverance"
President Wilson was scheduled to be