New-York tribune., 1910-05-07
DEGREE FOR Mr.. ROOSEVELT
King Frederick University Makes
Him Doctor of Philosophy.

Christiania, Norway, May 6.-With sim
pie but beautiful ceremonial. King Fred
erick University to-day conferred upon
Theodore Roosevelt the degree of Doctor OF
Philosophy. The exercises took place In the
amphitheatre of the university After the
connpany-which included the Premier,
other members of the Cabinet. the Nobel
Prize Committee, members of The diplo-
matte corps the faculty and persons dis
tinguished in the civil life OF Norway-had
assembled, King Haakon entered with. Mr..
Roosevelt at his right. The two were seat
ed in front of the reading desk, facing
brilliant audience. The galleries were filled
with students
The programme began with the chanting
by the choir of the university of the hymn
composed in Latin for the occasion by Pro-
fessor Alf Torp. After three stanzas had
been chanted the music ceased, and Rector
Broegger, rising. handed Mr.. Roosevelt the
diploma. contained in a red leather case
The chanting was then resumed At the
conclusion of the hymn the dean Of the
faculty Of history and philosophy made an
address that was half serious and half
facetious Mr.. Roosevelt. he said, had al
ready left the earth and was residing at
Olympus with Jupiter and Apollo 1t WIS
scarcely kind TO drag him down again
among the moTtais. He alluded to the en-
barrassment one felt at hearing praise OF
himself and said that 1t was well known
that a literary mans formula was to sit
still and look stupid. The professor ikened
Colonel Roosevelt 10 a rushing human en-
gne difficult TO follow and making 1t diff
cult amid the clouds of smoke to discern
precisely what manner of man he was
Some saw winged angel and other mod
ern devil with claws.
The professor than sketched the colonefs
career, finding the former Presidents
winning Of the West his most instruc
tive work, rich in pictures of the American
spirit, ideals, capacities and achievements.
He agreed with others that Mr.. Roosevelt
was a man who had learned to use the
capacities and powers which in most men
lie dormant He had converted his capaci-
ties into energies.
Mr.. Roosevelt. in reply, said that it did
rot make much difference what capaci-
ties a man had. 1t was important rather
what he did with them. The thing was to
get the job done. Mr.. Roosevelt caused the
King to laugh when he said: IF recogni-
ton comes for what you do, good; if recog-
milton does not come (here the speaker
paused and then added lit isn't quite so
good
This is the third time in the history of a
century that the university has conferred
the degree of Doctor upon a foreigner. Sat
urday the Storthing passed a special act
sanctioned by the King, which changed the
manner of comforting honorary degrees so
that the honor would be received from the
whole governing body of the university
rather than from one faculty, had been
the practice.
Mr.. and Mrs. Roosevelt spent the after
noon driving about the capital with the
King and Queen, who later accompanied
them to the railway station. where they
took a special train for Stockholm
Paris. May 6.-The Temps" while avoid
ing direct Endorsement of Mr.. Roosevelts
suggestion for a League of Peace, warmly
commends his utterances at Christiania
saying that they prove that Mr.. Roosevelt.
although q realist, harbors the most au-
dacious hopes. He admits" says the
paper, that centuries may pass before the
League Of Peace is realized, but he insists
upon the fact that it can be realized. -
This striving for an ideal amid the OBJ
stacles of the present furnishes additional
proof Of Mr.. Roosevelts loyalty TO the
basic principles of fundamental justice and
right which he breaches.
The Journal des Debats" considers that
Mr. Roosevelts actions, being unlike those
Of many pacifCists. give hun the right to
preach international peace, and wholly ap-
proves of the four points Of his plan. The
paper continues: A League of Peace
among nations strong and conscious of
their strength Is and viii remain for a
long time in the future the best means of
nsuring the peace of the world