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Show ZOI 200 which I knew he feels for this great movement, Ilon. joscph Allen laker. of England, a member of the House of Commons. Salutations from English Co-workers HON. Jr liPII ALLE.' "4J1!" INUIM lAKigk, M. 1'. MR. Pl{ti5l1)li."l‘, Linings AND (,iiiN'I‘LIiMi: : It is indeed an unexpected honor and unexpected privilege that I have of taking any part in this great Peace Conference being held in the metropw lis of your western country. I should be. I suppose, attendingr to my duties at the present moment in the. Ilouse of Commons. where debates of a very important nature on the question of revenue and the question of Dreadnougbts and the increase of armaments is taking place, but the peace subject being very heavy upon my mind. and I having given a great deal of attention to it during: the past year, I had a temporary breakdown of health and was ordered to take a short trip abroad to recuperate I hope you will think that I am not quite an invalid at the present moment. The trip across the Atlantic and the bracing air of your western land has put me in fine trim. (Applause) Meeting: your secretary. Dr. Trueblood, at Boston. I heard of this I" lace Conference in Chicago. I had not heard of it before. I felt that I should like to come and gather some inspiration from some of the speeches that would be delivered. and when I saw the program I said. "I must be there." And here I am, (Applause. l \Vlien your honorable chairman asked me to say a word or two this morningr I refused. I hesitated, without preparation, to occupy your valuable time, but when the gentleman who has just spoken delivered his address and I realized who he was, it brought back memories or" that memorable year of 1893. I spent some, months in your city at that time and had one of the principal exhibits at that great \\‘orldis Fair. of which the speaken Mr. H‘ 'nbotham. was then the, honorable president. I remember Wltll what awe. with whatsI don‘t know what word quite to use --I used to have to approach that gentleman through his ofticers to get some of those things done that we poor exhibitors wished to 111in carried out at that time. He certainly did a great work and Chicago did a great work in carryingr Out what at that time was the most successful. was the greatest of all the exhibitions that had been held in the world up to that time. And that I'ar- liament of Religions to which he has referred as so important was, I believe, the first of its kind that had been held in the world. Now there can be no doubt whatever that these great international exhibitions, and especially where the religious elements are gathered together and are asked to speak their mind on these great world problems, have done a very great deal of good, and my hope is that the day may not be far distant when the religious representatives of every country in the world will gather in some great world conference and say that "As far as we are concerned, representing the world's religions, we are against all war, in every shape or form." I believe it is the clear, the plain ditty of the Chr tian Church, and I believe it is the duty of those religions that do not call themselves Chri. ian, and one is "lad to recognize that some of those other religions are perhaps as much or more against war than the Christian countries themselves. (Applause) Now, Mr. President, I hope that from this conference. in your city some word may go forth that will do at this psycholorrieal moment in the worlds history in regard to the peace movemeut that which may be analogous to what was done at the time of your great \Vorld's Fair in Chicago in 1893. We look to America to take the lead in this matter. I believe .\merica is the only country that can take the lead. (.\1'Jpl;iiise) The armed to nations of Europe are jealous oi each other, the} the teeth, their diplomac is of such a character that they almost if tear to approach each other in regard to these matters; but your President at \Vashington and your Legislature there would arma~ take a bold step and say, "This marl race in the increase of listen to ivould world whole the that believe I stop," must ment be taken the voice of America, and that an important step would World, and the that would speedily bring about peace to the > diminution oi' armaments in all countries. was read a tew We have heard in one of these papers which heavily upon the, moments ago of how the cost of wars presses illustration o! that striking more No countrv. the of business >uth African \\ ar Can be had than what followed that disastrous . Three_ that we lately WHC‘QII with the Iloers in the 'l‘rausvaal millions ot hundred (lilteen sterlingr pounds of millions hundred U i |
