The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1917-10-04
DEMOCRACY VS.. DEsPOTIsM
Speaker Affirlns That Present War Is
Only Another Chapter in the Age-Old
Fight Against Autocracy- Presented
by z. G. Simmons at His Home.

Enthralling his audience with the
charm of his personality, the breadth
of his intellect, and the depth of his
wisdom, DIR. John r. Halsey, professor
of international law at Lake Forest
University, delivered the first of a
series of war lectures, planned for the
winter season, on Monday evening at
the home of Mr.. and Mrs. z. G. Sim
mons of Prairie avenue. Wittily and
wisely the former exponent of peace
and the present advocate of war ex-
planned the remote causes Of the world
conflict and convinced his hearers that
America was engaging in the most
righteous war of history. More than
fifty people heard the address and
gathered from it a new vision of the
glory of democracy and new determ-
nation to work and fight for its success
full establishment throughout the world.
The lecture-room at the Simmons
home was appropriately decorated for
the occasion with flags of the Allied
nations and posters depicting the life
of the poilun at the front. A map of
Europe was also on display in order
that the audience might follow Crap
hically and geographically the various
movements suggested by the speaker.
Occasional sprays of autumn leaves
gave touch of poetry to the scene
which made it not only more inspiring
but also more suggestive of the open
ing of the fall-season for lectures and
social functions of every sort.
DR.. Halsey was introduced by z. G.
Simmons, the host for the evenings
lecture. fThis is time,'' said Mr..
Simmons, "when days, hours, minutes
and even seconds, are valuable. Con-
sequently, we have thought it eminent
ly fitting that we gather theories of
the present war from an authority who
can give us in an hour and a half the
essence Of days and weeks of reading.
Such an authority is DIR. John r. Hal
sey of the department of international
law at Lake Forest University,
ing on some subject connected with
the present war.
Thus admirably presented DR.. Halsey
launched Immediately into discussion
of the remote causes of the conflict
which has deluged all Europe with
blood and recently involved the United
| States in the most tremendous and
gigantic war Of all history. Beginning
with 1889, the speaker traced the his
tory of Europe from the French
revolution through the Crimean war
and in the process showed the gradual
| triumph of democracy and independ-
ence over autocracy and despotism.
He dealt especially with the rise and
progress Of naturalization as a fac
| tor in international law and asserted
that it was the basic principle of any
amicable or permanent settlement of
European relationships. s'The small
nation,'' he declared, lis entitled to
independence and protection in the
society of the world just as much as
| the child is entitled to freedom and
safety in the life Of country, town, OF
city. That is the international right
violated by Germany in her invasions
Of Belgium Serbia and Poland and
that is the international right for which
the United States and her Allies are
eontending along the western front
| in France
/ In conclusion, DR.. Halsey showed
that neither national life nor civiliza-
| ton was safe unless naturalization -
could be established and exhorted
Americans to support the present
war with the understanding that they
| were fighting, not only for themselves,
but for all humanity.
| Through the lecture, which was gem
orally scholarly and didactic, there
were frequent allusions to modern
| questions introduced with wit and
cleverness that added "spice'' to the
more Weighty discussions of older his
torical problems. These interpretations
showed Dr. Halsey in more whimsical
and humorous mood and served to
increase his popularity with his adj
miring audience.
Following the lecture proper the
speaker invited questions on any prob
| lem mentioned in his remarks upon the
war. Several of his hearers responded
with pertinent queries that were ans
wered with the same conciseness and
wisdom apparent in his lecture. The
resultant discussions were prolific of
additional information along many lines
and consequently increased the profit
derived from the evenings program.
A short social hour concluded the
function and adjourned the class until
next Monday evening. when DIR. Hal.