THE PEACE TREATY.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1100, 12 April 1911, Page 7

THE PEACE TREATY.

STRONG SUPPORT IN THE COMMONS. B? Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Rec. April 11, 11.20 p.m.) London, April 11. Upwards Of half the members of the House of Commons have joined the- TaftGrey Arbitration Committee, which was formed at the end of last month to promote the conclusion of the unlimited arbitration treaty with America. A STIEKIXCi SPEECH. The American mail In hand last night brought a fuller account, of Sir Edward Grey's speech en March 13 than was supplied by the Press Association. Referring to President Taft's arbitration speech as bold, courageous, and pregnant with consequences, Sir Edward Grey said: "Such a statement ought not to go without response. We should be delighted to have such a proposal made to us. We should feel .that it was something jo monvjntous and so far-reaching in its possibilities that, it would require not only the signature of both Governments, but the deliberate and decided sanction of Parliament. "That, I believe, would be given." Sir Edward's speech was loudly cheered.

When he referred to the possibility of the adoption of President Taft's proposal ha was listened to in tense silence. If, he said, two of the greatest nations should thus make it clear that under no circumstances were they to go to war again, the effect of their example on the world must have beneficent consequences.

The nations entering such an ■" agreement, continued the Secretary, might, be exposed to attack by a. third nation. This probably would lend to their making another agreement to join each other in any case of quarrel with a third Power, in which arbitration was refused.

In entering an agreement of this kind, said Sir Edward, "there would be risks, and you must be prepared for some sacrifice of national pride. I know that to produce such change public opinion must reach very high ideals—higher than some think possible, but men's minds are working in this direction, and history affords instances of reaching such an ideal point. "It was so in the case of slavery when tho United States rose up, not counting the cost in blood or money or the risk of national existence."

In conclusion, the Secretary said: "The general adoption of such a, system might leave some armies and navies still in existence, but they would remain, not in rivalry, but as the world's police." Utopian as his hopes might seem to some, he believed he would live to see progress toward their realisation. "Nations," he said, in a grave peroration, "are in bondage to army and navy expenditures. May the time come soon when they realise the law is a batter remedy than force."