Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-05-12
SYSTEMS At GRIPS,
SAYS LORD READING
U. S. Entry in War Was In
evitabIe, He Tells National
Press Club.
Mr.. TAFT is CHEERED

Speaking with the spirit and ardor Of a
devoted patriot rather than with the cir
cumspection expected from a distinguish
ed jurist and diplomat, the Earl of Read
ing, British ambassador to the United
States, before the National Press Club
last evening emphasized the common aim
and the common end toward which the
allies are fighting.
although we are an empire in name
we are great democratic commonwealth,
as you are here in the American republic"
he said.
AS he urged, in introducing the speak
err, that I'VE in this country owe 1t
to England and to our allies to back
her in this fight to the end" William
Howard Taft again and again brought
forth cheers. Especially vigorous was
the demonstration when the former
President said that What we've got to
do by legislation and executive action
is to make a great, broad plan for our
Army big enough to do the business
over there"
Let US be definite" he continued.
Let US fix the number, put that num-
Der on the statute books and then send
as many more as the executive
chooses"
Karger Presents Chairman.
Gus Karger, president of the club. in
troduced Mr.. Taft as the presiding
officer, and assigned him the temporary
Here l can express my feelings" said
Mr. Taft, land those feelings are
aroused by efforts made to create
prejudices against Great Britain.
1.-The work that Great Britain has
done in this war is something that we
can't appreciate or estimate. We are in
in comfort, in luxury; we nave lost COM
paratively few men; we have not been
in the valley of the shadow of death ae
has Great Britain"
Mr. Taft said those who would seek
to divide allegiance in America to the
allies or the allied cause are traitors
in effect" and he also referred to such
agitation as the treason Of misdirected
before them division of land and So
cial reforms. making treaty of peace
and giving UP their army beforehand"
Lord Reading Speaks.
Lord Reading remarked that as a diplo-
mat Il am but . child. but am learn
ing diplomatic ways easily. because I
find in this country that frankness is the
chief thing my task requires"
The ambassador warned against look
ing into every nook and Granny seeking
to discover mistakes and disappoint-
ments that 80 often accompany the ex-
pectations Of war on such a vast scale
looking around let us never forget the
great and inspired achievements attain
ed in the face Of difficulties that appear
to battle human endeavor."
He paid a tribute to the American
Navy for its cooperation with the
efforts, and for its work in transport
ing troops, and said that every ship
that sails carries a message Of hope
and courage" He remarked upon the
allies responded swiftly and unhesitat-
ingly with troops to the utmost of
shipping capacity to be used as deemed
best for the furtherance Of the common
cause"
Two Systems at Grips.
"As. time has passed and the vision
has eecome clearer" he said ut was
apparent that this titanic conflict IL
one In which you must inevitably have
between two systems Of government
the one where the individual exists
for the greater glorification Of the
state or dynasty, which uses him mere
defiance of all moral and ethical rules
that should govern human beings: the
other where the state exists for the
protection of the weak and oppressed,
and the safeguarding Of the rights and
liberties Of individuals. and is based
which are the only safe guides for
human conduct.
Speaking of the like ideals of America
and England. he said:
There is no essential difference
either of purpose or of principle, be-
tween these two great commonwealth
You are a great democracy, based upon
the principles of justice and liberty, and
this is equally true of the British en-
pire. Were 1t otherwise 1t would crum-
BILE and die. as have other great empires
that preceded It, We learned our lesson
in the past and today. wherever the
Union Jack flies. it stands for Justice
and liberty. l would I had time to-
mighty fabric tested by your standards.
Il do not dwell upon the support OF
the great self-governing dominions like
Canada, Australia, South Africa and
which. though light as gossamer
threads, are strong as links of the finest
steel ever forged. They are bound to
the British empire by no ties save that
Of affection: their devotion to the old
country in this day Of sacrifice is being
sealed every hour in their blood Their
loyalty springs from pride Of partner
ship for a common purpose. as close as
that which unites your own states. 1t is
fortified by the conviction that it Is in
their truest interest and for the benefit
of humanity.
India Proves Devotion.
"But 1t is not only Of the great do
minions Of the empire that have given
such splendid support. India has given
proof of her devotion to the empire by
her attitude in this time Of crisis. To
speak only of the last five years. India
has assimilated our ideas and awakened
politically to western ideals the efforts
made unremittingly by Germany both
before and since, the war to start
disaffection in India have met with fail
ure. The measure Of that failure may be
judged by the devotion with which the ma
tive rulers and their followers rallied to
the flag, and by the contributions in men
and money made for the furtherance of
our country's cause. Perhaps the benefi-
cence OF British rule has never been bet
ter demonstrated than in Egypt and the
Soudan. which has been converted into a
prosperous and happy country"
Warns Of False Optimism.
In closing. Lord Reading warned
against a false optimism. The true
optimist. he said. is he who. though
as confident of victory as he Is con-
| fdent OF his religion, neglects no prep