New-York tribune., 1918-12-22
Honor Degree
Given Wilson
By Sorbonne
French University Confers
Insignia for His Work
as Jurist and Historian

PARIS, Dec. 21.--In the great amphi-
theatre of the University of Paris the
Sorbonne) President Wilson this after
noon received the Degree of Doctor
Honoris Causa, conferred upon him in
recognition of his work as jurist and
historian. This is the first time in the
history of the university that an hon
orary degree has been bestowed, au-
thorization for its granting having been
given by a recent decree
President Poincare, the presidents of
the Senate and Chamber of Deputies,
the diplomatic corps, members of the
government and the highest civil and
military authorities were present at the
ceremony.
Great crowds cheered the President
when he arrived at the university, ac-
cempanied by Mrs. Wilson, William
Graves Sharp, the American Ambassa-
dor, and Jean Jules Jusserand, French
Ambassador to the United States.
Welcomed by Faculty Dean
Alfred Croiset, Dean of the Faculty
of Letters, welcomed President Wilson
in short address and presented to
him the diploma of doctor as a testi-
monial to his work as an historian and
his writings on historical subjects.
Ferdinand Larnaude, Dean of the Fac
ulty of Law, then bestowed upon the
bo
works on Jurisprudence and political
science.
Luclen Poincare, v;ce-rector Of the
university and brother of the Presi-
dent of the republic, paid an eloquent
tribute to President Wilson's ability
as professor before he entered upon
his political career, and told of the
Presidents part in the war. In con-
clusion, M. Poincare said:
GLORY to the American students!
Glory to the eminent professors and
their universities! Glory to you, Mr..
President, who are the first among
them!
Salutes Him as "The Righteous"
"In the name of the University of
Paris / have the honor to award the
insignia and diploma of doctor to one
whom posterity will salute with
the surname, The Righteous Presi-
dent Wilson"
President Wilson had another long
conference to-day with Vittorio Or
lando, the Italian Premier, and Baron
Sonnino, the Italian Foreign Minister
The position of Italy was further dis
cussed at this meeting. The Presi-
dent is represented as enga aged in
these conferences in an effort to brino
about harmony as to the matters which
especially concern Italy and others of
the Allies in common.
President Wilson and the American
delegates had day of few interrup-
tions in which to study in prelimi-
nary way various plans which have
been proposed for carrying out the de.
tails of Mr.. Wilson's programme.
Look to America to Lead
Apparently the other powers are
looking to the United States to bring
forth concrete proposition concern.
ing freedom of the seas. Probably the
American delegation has not agreed
upon any one of the many suggested
plans, but there is reason to believe
that the proposed limitation of con
struction of naval craft to lightly arm
ored vessels, like revenue cutters
whose sole purpose would be to pro
tect merchant shipping, finds favo
among them.
Advocates of this plan say ther,
would be no further use for heavil,
armed ships if all nations were place,
on an equal footing by this means.
In answer to Great Britain's pie
that she requires a great navy to de
fend her colonies, advocates of the pla1
of limiting construction say chat. wit
Continued on neat poqe