New-York tribune., 1918-04-25
Only Way to Get Anywhere
Is to Have a Definite
Plan, He Asserts
Need Use of All Force
Can't Make Peace With the
Kaiser, Ex-President
Asserts

"Let's get it clearly into our minds
from tonight on" cried cx-President
Taft, chat three years is the time we
must count for the rest of this war.
Let's stop saying perhaps and if and
but and understand thoroughly that
unsynchronized manner, half way,
we're not going to get anywhere; but
that If we do coalesce our resources, in
the years 1919 and 1920 we're going to
exert a pressure that will amaze the
world at the force of our capacity,
that will win this war
isn't it worth setting aside three
years." he challenged, "to make the
world a place worth living in? Up to
the present we're not really in this
war. Let's get that clearly in mind
too. And then let's get it in mind that.
be fought through to knockout. That's
what we're in it for. For | tell you
peace with the Kaiser is victory for
| the Kaiser, and"-his voice rose into
an eloquent peal--"we can't justify this
war in the providence of God unless
we make it result in something that
will mean permanent peace"
| Must Take Definite Plan
And then ex-President Taft leaned
earnestly across the table and told his
audience how to achieve that result.
He was speaking at the twentieth an
nual meeting of the National Metal
Trades Association, at their banquet
last night in the north ballroom of
the Hotel Astor.
"As business men," he said, "you
know that the only way to get any
where is to start out with a definite
plan. That is what it behooves us to
do now-draw up plan to cover the
r.Nt three years. We must have an
army Of at least 100000 men. with
the ships to transport them. and the
munitions to supply them. If this
Western drive has taught US anything,
going to win this war, and we've got
the men if we only apply them. But
we've got to do that.
"You laugh when | say that I
wouldn't make peace with the Kaiser
| as if you thought no one in this coun
try would think Of making peace with
the Kaiser and the Potsdam gang. But
country-and it's growing-that would
I
Il tell you there is altogether too
much of the half-pacifst idea abroad
in the land to-day. 1t is what we have
got to combat. Thank God, now,
| though, we're beginning to get men
| into control who know how to get the
things that must be accomplished done.
Stettinius, Goethals, Schwab"-here the
plause.
Mr.. Taft paused, waiting.
Men in Whom Hope Rests
eyes" he nodded back, "those are
the men in whom our hope rests. But
end. Indeed, l think we ought to have
creed which we would recitc, all of
us, every time we meet in patriotic
gatherings" And in quiet, measured,
but intensely fervent tones eX-Presi-
dent Taft repeated the creed which he
| had drawn up for the guidance Of the
nation in this hour
1t was one of the most notable adj
dresses the cx-President has deliv-
cred. He traced in detail the whole re-
lation of this country to the war, with
provocations. He dwelt at length upon
the danger Of the foe within, but
paused to stigmatize bitterly all those
who resort to lynchings and mob vio-
lence by way Of reprisal. Most of all,
though, he dwelt upon the psychology
OF the German people and the need for
overthrowing that to rid the world Of
"this scourge TO society"
"We're fighting the German people"
he thundered. Don't make any mis-
take about that. Let's face the facts.
To say we'rc fighting the Kaiser and
not the people doesn't help. 1t merely
confuses and rctards. The German peo-
pie are behind the Kaiser, ard you can't
understand this war unless you under
stand their psychology-an you can't
understand their psychology unless you
understand their history"
A friendly reference OF the speakers
t, Colonel Roosevelt aroused all eu-
thusiastic outburst of applause.
Walter Camp, director Of athletic
training for the army, spoke at length
on his work, and urged his audience
IN turn, to keep fit for the work at
home Colonel Athill, Of the British
Army, responded with words of heart
felt fellowship from his country.
Representative Of the French and
Italian armies were present at the din
ner last night. About $50 members of
the National Metal Associations from
all parts of the country attended.
Central Park NEGLECTED"