The Washington herald., 1907-03-31

Make Of Washington a city of serious
purpose. dissipaung the general idea that
it is a gay capital in which the pursuit
Of pleasure is the uppermost thought Of
its Inhabitants.
This is the plea made by John Barrett,
director of the International Bureau of
American Republics. II an interview yes
terday Mr., Barrett declared this could
best be brought about by the foundation
here of great national educational insti-
tuition, and he indorsed heartily the as
pirations of George Washington Uni
versity 20 I'll that niche
Nothing would do more to Offset this
tendency Of opinion and this class Of crit
icism," said Mr.. Barrett than the estab-
lishment and maintenance here of "a great
national university. in which every State
would have a particular interest and to
the support OF which the people Of every
state would contribute their quota Then
the Pacific Coast and the Central West
would feel that they had direct concern
in the advantages offered by the Capital
city. as much as those who live perna-
nently here. The George Washington Gni-
versity would then 6e a strong tie between
the rising generation of our citizens in
all parts OF the country, and the city in
which the Capital of the land is located.
Foreign students Express Surprise.
Mr. Barrett. while a diplomatic repre-
sentative in South America met with
many expressions of wonderment over
the failure of the United States govern
ment to establish an institution OF learn
ing that could be regarded as typically
American. In this connection. he said:
1T is remarkable. in view OF The pres
ent movement TO promote the interests
of George Washington University, that
everywhere in foreign lands I have heard
surprise expressed that there was mol
great national university IN the Capital
Of the United Stares We have little idea
how we'll known this city is among for
eign peoples In many parts of the world
where the names of New York, Boston,
ana Chicago are never spoken, there is
knowledge of the Capital City named
after the first great man of this country.
IAN over South. America, which is
famed for its devotion to education, the
great universities are located in the ma
tional capital ana during my stay as
United States Minister in this part of the
world 7 repeatedly was asked by repre-
sentative statesmen, educators, and
learned men why it was that Washington, /
the Capital city of the United States with
all It's unequaled advantages. did not have
a national university that would attract
students from all over the world. II was
impossible, in short. for these men 70
conceive how the American people had
neglected such a splendid opportunity. /
minded by South American students OF /
our early history that George Washington /
i'm his VIII had provided for such an I
institution, and they thought il strange I
that our people had never carried 10 COM !
pletiOn the mighty conception of our /
Liberator.
Many Foreigners Would Attend.
Again in China I heard more than /
once men who stood for the highest /
thought in Asia express profound aston ]
ishment that our National Capital did not /
have in its limits great national iusti- /
tuition of learning which would invite +
graduate students from all over the /
earth. Both in what these Chinese gen
tlemen said and in the remarks OF the 4
statesmen of South America and India. /
/ gathered the impression that hundreds /
of young foreigners would attend such /
university if it were located i'm the Cap /
itaI city of "a country which to them
typided modern and successful progress
in education as well as in material ae-
complshment
Il venture TO say, therefore. that were
George Washington University to-day an
institution known far and wide. il would /
have among its many thousands Of /
students no small proportion from Asia,
south America, Europe. and Australia.
What better influence could there be 10
strengthen our prestige and standing
abroad than 10 have in attendance at
George Washington University repre-
sentative young men from all the leading
countries Of the world and especially
from these which are looking TO us To set
them an example. Let Us, therefore
though the hour Is late in the history of
the United States make up for the de-
nciency OF the past and provide the op- /
portunity for higher education that is ex-
pected in other parts of the world.
Suggests National Subscription.
In conclusion, therefore. / have to
suggest that we should effect national
organization Tor the purpose or securing
subscriptions in every State of the Union
for the endowment Of the George Wash
ington University. Born in Vermont and
going later to Oregon TO take up my resi-
dence, I stand ready TO do al in nay hum
bic and limited power to make sure that
these two Commonwealths. respectively
near the Atlantic and Pacific. viii do
their share in this programme.
Mr. Barrett is convinced that such an
appeal to State pride viii bring fattering
results in the way of subscriptions to the
endowment fund that George Washington
University eontemplates establishing. once
the local fund of 10000 is raised with
which 10 purchase a site Cor the greater
university. He touched on the subject AT ,
the last mass meeting held by George
Washington University's building com
mittee at the New Willard and al that
time announced his willingness 10 aid
the university authorities in forwarding {
such a scheme.