Evening star., 1912-01-27

Copyright by Clinedinst)
allied sciences is one Of the greatest fac
tors in the establishment and main
tenance of world amity and the extern
sion of cordial relations between this
country and the civilized nations of the
globe. supplied the theme for speakers of
international repute last night at the
annual banquet Of the National Geo
graphic Society, at the New Willard.
Some 500 members of the organization
and more than half a hundred guests.
distinguished in every walk Of life, gath
cred at the table in the ballroom to hear
the messages Of peace and progress
voiced by leaders in the fields Of science.
diplomacy, art and the professions.
The one disappointment was the in
ability of President Taft to be there, a
cold and the inclement weather prevent
ing his attendance. However, in his
message Of regret to DR.. Alexander
Graham Bell, the toastmaster. the chief
executive expressed a wish for the con-
tinued prosperity of the society.
The presence Of James Bryce. ambassa-
dor from Great Britain: Mira Ali Kuli
Khan, charge d'affaires Of Persia, and DR..
Inaze Nitobe of the University of Toxic.
and one Of Japan's leading men of let
ters, lent an international aspect to the
function. and with messages of good will
from their respective countries paid
tribute to the society as an agent Of
peace.
Women Address Society.
The society was for the second time in
its history addressed by two women.
whose work in the interests. of humanity
has been notable, Miss Mabel T. Board
man, one Of the leaders of the American
Red Cross Society. and Mrs. John Hays
Hammond, one Of the foremost workers
In women's philanthropic and civic ac-
tivities in the United States.
Presiding at the dinner was Henry
Gannett, president of the society, and the
other speakers were DR.. Harvey w. WI
ley, chief Of the bureau of chemistry.
Department Of Agriculture, and 0. II.
Tittman, vice president Of the society.
The prosperity of the society and the
doing in bringing geographic knowledge
to the civilized world was the theme
of DR.. Bell in his Introductory re-
marks: The National Geographic So
ganization of it's kind in the world. he
said. He traced it's growth from the
original coterie Of 200 members to the
present day. when 1T boasts Of 1.O07
names on roster OF membership. Inc
only endowment it has needed has been
the intelligence and interest of it's men,
bers." declared the speaker, "and the
world is nearer to us and better of be-
cause of it's existence" The great part
the magazine Of the society has played
in accomplishing the objects of the So
ciety, the gathering and diffusion of
geographical knowledge, was dwelt upon
at some length by DR.. Bell, who also
cited as an evidence OF the growth OF
~, nv,6 &c ~ n
graphical subjects the fact that 1t has
become necessary to have the weekly
afternoon lectures under the auspices
of the society repeated In the evening.
Bryce an Honorary Member.
In reply to the announcement Of DR..
Bell that Ambassador Bryce had been
made an honorary member Of the society
the highest honor in the gift Of the So
ciety-England's representative decla ed
he appreciated his election as lone of the
greatest honors that had ever come to
him." The benefits pioneers Of discovery
had brought to the world and the civ1 IL
ing influence of geographic research We're
commented upon by the ambassador He
said his chief desire was to possess as
complete a knowledge as possible or the
world and of humanity. He referred to
the great benefits this nation will confer
anna canal, which, he said, was a WORK
which has never been done before, and
never will be done again. American
energy and skill evidenced In the con-
the high ideals and altruistic motives
which inspired this gigantic Undertaking
ELECTED warm praise from the speaker.
Mr.. Bryce said that as a Briton ne
thanked the United States Tor pointing
the way in the regeneration Of the vast
areas Of desert lands within its borders.
plans and methods Of execution for which
would be seized upon and taken advan-
tage of by Great Britain in the immense
arid regions OF Cape Colony. India and
Canada. Although much has been done
toward making possible the use OF the
land of all the earth in ''the most stu
pendous and significant work that men
are now engaged in-discovering how to
support a large and contented population
on the arid areas OF the earth"-much
remains to be accomplished, he said, sug-
gesting to the members of the socte'y
that their attention might well be di-
region between the river Amazons and de
la Plata, at present inhabited only by a
few tribes Of wandering Indians.
Reference by Mira Ali Kuli Kahn.
Taft as the ''chief exponent Of interna-
tional arbitration and protector OF the
weaker brother In the family Of nations
brought forth the applause Of the audi
ence. The Persian diplomat spoke Of the
great work done by the Persians Of old
In furthering the advancement of civili-
zation and traced the history Of his an
cient country from hundreds OF years be-
fore the deluge.
DR.. Wiley In Jocular Mood.
DR.. Wiley confined himself almost ex-
clusively to a facetious discussion of the
chemical composition OF the menu, and
wound up with bit Of doggerel, the
tenor Of which was. referring to dishes
served at the table and their ingredients,
1--WE never know exactly what In in IL :.