New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-03
Responsibility Resting on
Executive and Congress
Very Heavy, He Says
GERMANY AGGRESSION,
If WAR SHOULD COME
Began with Belgium, Now
Includes Neutrals, As
sertS EX-PreSident
IFron The Tribune Bureau

declared that if the United States were
drawn into war Germany would force It
by "her defiance OF plain principles OF
justice and humanity, which should OBJ
tain between civilized nations
"The responsibility which now rests
on the President and Congress is very
heavy" said Mr.. Taft. "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."
the League 10 Enforce Peace. lie
prefaced it, however, with reference
10 the new German crisis.
al had prepared this address before
Germany startled this country and all
neutrals by her last NOTE said Mr..
Taft. "The actual dangers with which
il brings us face TO face may seem TO
make what have been discussing theo-
rectical, 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.
Must Face the Facts
"Of all things we would avoid war.
We are not prepared for it, The awful
consequences we know from Europe
suffering. Our prayer is for some es-
cape from it in this critical hour con-
sistent with our nationa! honor ana
vital interests. But we must lace the
facts.
"In her campaign against her enc
mics Germany proposes ruthlessly 10
wage war upon the property ana fVes
n lot
their rights. She began with Belgium.
She now includes them all. Our ma
tional conscience is void OF offence
against her. Her cruel and indefen..
sible drowning without warning OF
more than hundred innocent Ameri-
cans on the Lusitanla we condoned III
view of her pledge against repetl-
ton. That pledge is now Withdrawn
and she avows her purpose TO resume
her shocking course.
"If war is to come between us, she
will be the unprovoked aggressor. we
would avoid being drawn into the hu-
ropean vortex by every honorable con
cession. II she forces us into II, she
will do so by her defiance Of plain
principles of justice and humanity
which should obtain between civilized
nations.
an spite of her great strength and
marvellous efficiency, Germany's mani
fest weakness has been in failure TO
understand other peoples and 20 ap-
prcciate the moral forces working IN
Them. She may not know the spirit
of the good-natured, tolerant, war
hating grant she would challenge
Germany May Oyerestimate
"She may overestimate, as she has
done before in the case OF otner ma
tions, the influence of sordid motives,
of the inertia of comfort and OF as
sentient elements among US. when she
may expect TO paralyze our action.
She may stir an active PATRIOTISM IN
our people which she does not suspect
She NAV shock US into a real prepare
tion for war and the sacrifice 1t IN
wolves as nothing else can.
.She may push Us at once into a
League to Enforce Just Peace. She
NAV force US into an organization oil
our potential military strength on the
one hand, and into 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 warn
incs of statesmen who are looking
u.
to the wisdom. but TO the necessity, OF
our leading the nations into perma..
nent Worlds League 10 Enforce Peace.
Taft Defends Peace League Idea
Mr.. Taft in his address further de-
Tended the idea of league to enforce
peace from criticism which 1t has re-
ceived at the hands Of Theodore Roose-.
welt. w. J. Bryan, Senator Borah. OF
Idaho, and others. The National Cham
| Der of Comerce has given its support
10 the proposals of the league, fact,
| Mr.. Taft said. which had carried much
influence in this country and abroad.
with Difference TO the ability OF our
opponents TO grasp our proposals by
intuition" said Mr.. Taft, we submit
that before they are CONTEMPORARY re.
jected, 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 il would enforce the judgment
of courts OF arbitration. Then upon
learning that the proposals do not IN
volve enforcement of judgments, he
cbaracterizes them as fragrant de-
ception of the public. Senator Borsn
denounees the plan Of the league TO be
are three formidable adjectives OF
which one would seem adequate 10
carry the argument. The Senator. how
ever, qualities his words by disavo~lng
intention TO asssil individuals. The
Senator should look 10 his laurels In
the field of verbal warfare and slaugh-
ter because such leniency may exclude
him from the class Of epithetical states
men. 80, e..
"rhe purpose Of tho league" Mr.. Taft
explained, "is 10 organize the world s
strength into an international police 10
enforce a procedure with respect TO IS.
sues likely TO lead TO war, which VIII
prevent all wars but those which moth
ing can prevent.
Procedure to BE Enforced
"Tbe procedure TO be enforced is the
submission Of questions Of legal ma
ture, the decision OF whien must DC
Guided by rules OF law. TO an interns-
tionaI court for its judgment. and the
,ubmission Of all other questions 70 an
impartial commission TO near ana ec-
eide. it's decision 70 take the form OF
recommendation OF compromise. me
Judgment Of the legal question OF he
court will be legally and IN honor oind,
inc on the parties. That IS implied
In zubmigsion 10 a court. The recon-
menda,ion OF compromise, however -
nof in law or in honor binding unless
the parties accept IL. The league does
not propose 10 enforce either.
sgomstime, IL the league comes INTO
.uecezsfui operation, u may Do
,houyht well 10 enforce judgment, Juss