The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1918-01-18
AMERICA IN WAR
J. TO THE LAST MAN,
SAYS JUDGE TAFT

BALTIMORE, Jan. 1s.-"I mistake
the American people il they are not
going through with this war TO the
last man and the last dollar in order
to save the world"
This declaration by former PreSi-
dent William H. Taft, concluding a
forceful speech on the war and its
issues at the snnusl banquet OF the
Phoenix Club last night brought the
$50 or more members Of the organize
ton present to their feet in a wild
outburst OF cheers.
Shortly before that he had stated:
I'VE haven't gone into this war
through any lingo spirit; We were
forced into 1t. II We had not entered
the conflict for righteousness we
could not have looked any civilized
nation in the face.
Mr.. Taft was the only speaker at
the banquet. The entire affair had
more subdued aspect than usual be-
cause OF war conditions. The decora-
lions were simple, the music OF
patriotic strain and q! 1.-The environ
mepts were cast In accord with
serious times. The only other guest
of honor was Theodore Marburg, for
mer minister to Belgium
Puts Blame On Germany.
Mr.. Taft was introduced by Julien
s. Stein, president OF the Phoenix
Club. He plunged at once into dis
cussion OF the war and the interna-
tIonal complications that led up to II.
He was not at all ehary OF placing the
burden OF responsibility on Germany.
I'VE have got to fight this thing
through ne said. 1--WE must not cod
die ourselves with the thought that 1t
will be over in six months. An tnclu-
sive peace will be q sacrifice for
nothing: we demand a surgical opera
ton that will insure a renewal OF in
ternatIonal health"
Then the former President, who had
been Secretary OF War and believer
In preparedness, warned against the
soreness that may come with trouble.
"a republic" he said. seems to need
disasters to teach IL. We are going to
have disasters, but the greater the
disasters that come to US the greater
VIII be the defeat of our foe. They
have minimized American force, spirit,
and heroIsm, and that mistake will be
the great disaster that will come to
them.
D0uKGEOuA ~ = LAAo DOes
what is all this outpouring Of
men and treasure for IL IL is not TO
establish something?" Mr.. Taft asked.
And the question was answered with
a round of applause. cit is to es-
tabIIsh a permanent peace on earth"
he continued, "a peace that will leave
the world safe for those who come
efter us-and we certainly owe them
a heritage OF safety and honor. We
cannot expect this unless We conquer
those who are as dangerous as a mad
dog, whose only idea Is the exalta-
ton OF might over right"
Mr.. Taft urged the utmost support
OF the Administration in its conduct
of the war. ave are still living In
comfort" he said, 1--WE haven't felt yet
the real restrictions OF war. The re-
cent order OF Mr.. Garfield may bring
tc us a slight realization OF what war
may be, but we must learn much
more later on. We must reason out
the Righteousness OF the cause for
which lives must be lost and treasure
spent, and then we will see that we
are right and will go ahead until we
are assured that no nation hereafter
will make war its god"
1--WE Have Cranks Here"
Mr.. Taft aroused a hearty laugh
when, mentioning La Toilette, he said
in a sort of aside: 81 don't believe
in calling names" And later, when
speaking OF the authority of kings in
the entente countries, he thought
they had no more control than Mr..
Bryan or our eI-Presldents." Again,
arguing for a sane view OF the situa-
ton. he said: I'VE have cranks among
ourselves. I need not name them"
and this pleased his hearers i'm
mensely.
The speaker was in a very serious
mood. The famous Taft smile was
absent: the former President seemed
to feel deeply the seriousness OF his
subject. He spoke quietly but i'm
pressively. and had the closest atten-
ton OF his audience. And there was
no doubt OF the patriotism of the
hearers. One of the finest responses
of the evening came when the speaker
declared: I'VE must fight these people
until we. change their psychological
state: their trouble is in their Leads.
and the only way We can change their