Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-04-15

same charm. One wants to know more
about the men of whom he writes. He
reveals traits of character hitherto unsus-
pected or imperfectly portrayed. He does
not present merely the dry record of events,
but he shows the thought that preceded the
action. the impulse that caused it. AS
matter of course an acquaintance with the
foremost men in letters, diplomacy and
politics in Europe and America must have
gathered much of interest. but when to
that acquaintance is added participation
with those leaders of thought in actions of
moment q record of SURPRISING fascination
must be the result.
Andrew Dickson White did not have the
spur Poverty to drive him to mental
Ia Dor. His father was well off, and he could
have rested in inglorous knowing
that his fathers wealth would come to
him in time. But he was born with de-
sire to know and to do. 1t is rare that
youth about to enter college has such
comprehensive conception of the proper
scope and the purpose of a college educa-
ton as he had when he left his Syracuse
home to enter unwillingly small New
York college, when he had set his heart on
going to Yale, where he felt he would fnd
instruction more to his liking. Later he
prevailed upon his father TO send him to
Yale, and there in the celebrated class of
80 he won high honors His graduating
thesis so attracted the attention of the gov
ernor of Connecticut, who was present, thai
the latter, who had been made minister TO
Russia invited him to become an attache
of the American legation at st. Petersburg
1t was thus that young White began his
public career.
While abroad he studied in Germany and
heard lectures in France, devoting himself
especially to history. On returning to Yale
to receive his masters degree he was Of
fered several PROFESSIONAL prositions. He ac-
cepted the one at the University of Mich
igan Some time later he was sent to the
New York state senate, and while chair
man of the committee on education be-
came interested with Ezra Cornell in the
establishment of university which should
combine the best in the university methods
OF Europe and America. To the founding
and the presidency of Cornell he devoted
twenty years, leaving the university at in
tervals to become minister to Russia and
to Germany and to participate in the work
of the Santo Domingo commission. After
relinquishing his presidency of Cornell he
took part with the other members of the
Venezuelan commission In the work of as
certaning the boundary between Venezuela
and British Guiana, and subsequently served
with great credit to himself and his coun-
try as ambassador to Germany. While
holding the latter Office he was selected as
the head of the American commission to
the disarmament conference at The Hague
which was notable as the first organized
effort of the nations to substitute arbitra-
ton for war. Throughout his busy life he
has found time to write numerous PAM
phlets addresses and lectures and to give
to the world his famous Warfare of
Science With Theology" During my life"
he says in closing the part of his biography
devoted to his connection with Cornell Uni
yersity which Is now extending beyond
the allotted span of three score years and
| ten. / have been engaged. after the man.
ner Of my countrymen, In many sorts of
work have become interested in many con-
ditions of men, have Joined In many efforts
which I hope have been of use; but most
| of all have been interested in the found
| ing and maintaining of Cornell University,
and by the part have taken in that. more
| than by any other work Of my life, hope
| to be Judged.
| But great as were his services to educa-
| ton in America in the establishment and
| maintenance of Cornell. and all higher in
/ situations Of learning in the country have
| felt the influence of Cornell, 1t must be
urged that he rendered higher service to
| humanity when his efforts were successful
| in preventing the ignominious failure of
| The Hague conference. For although ap-
| parently little has been accomplished by
! that congress. yet It's effect will be felt
more and more as the years pass. 1t is the
| first step that counts. and The Hague con-
| ference was the first step toward an in
| ternational tribunal that should settle the
4 disputes between nations.
| The conference had been in session for a
/ month and the prospect of adopting an ar
/ ticle in favor OF arbitration appeared very
| dim. Count Munster, the leading German
delegate. was strongly opposed to 1t, and
Italy and Austria, the other members of
| the triple alliance, were influenced by Ger
many. One morning Count Munster called
on DIR. White. who argued with him at
| great length. showing that the German em-