New-York tribune., 1918-06-06
Prussianism Must Die.
Says Lansing at Columbia
Secretary of State and Lord Reading Honored With the
Degree of Doctor of Laws, Highest in the
Gift of the University

Columbia University at It's annual
..,nencement exercises yesterday
..,ferred on Robert Lansing, Secretary
.e state. and the Earl of Reading,
british High Commissioner, the degree
=. Doctor of Laws, the highest in the
mower Of the university to confer.
n,ring the comforting of the degrees
~. Nicholas Murray Butler made the
..nouncement that Lord Readings son
sad inst received from his government
-. military service medal for distin-
o.ished conduct on the field of battle.
After an impressive ceremony, en-
,snced by the military settings, the
sn,v,v made sons of the university ad-
s-.ssed 1000 alumni gathered at lun-
cheon in the gymnasium.
Mr.. Lansing, introduced by DR.. But
lar warned those present to beware Of
,r;,;cism at home which is not con-
..r,,ctiye and suggestions of peace
.h;ch are based on a perpetuatfon of
Prussianism.
DTo save this country of ours and
"a save the civilized world from Prus-
.;or,sm has become the supreme duty
~ the American people and all other
osonles who love justice and freedom" ,"
se;d Mr.. Lansing. "PrVssianism has
srnesled 10 the sword anti by the sword
Jpsrnssianism must fall. 1t is the di-
,.,ne law of retributon. which we as
,be Instruments of justice must en-
fnrce so that the world may be for
ever rid Of this abomination.
criticisms of Past Criminal
1.-TWO things" continued Mr.. Lansing,
"mav divert our thoughts and inter
,unt our effort, unless we appreciate
.Sp' .Se consequence of unwisely giving
hsed to them. Criticisms of the past
are worse than useless, they are Grim
;nal unless they point better way
for The future. Let us for the pres.
snt at least, disregard the mistakes OF
the mast, which cannot be cured, and
,et MS. impelled by the will to win the
war. drive on toward the goal with all
our vlgor.
"As we turn deaf ears to common
sco,ds at home, SO must we not relax
our efforts not to listen to insincere
.ucgestions of peace altering through
from Germany by various channels.
let us understand that Prussian-
made peace could not be the end; that
II would only postpone the final strug
Gle. 1t is the supreme task of clvlliza-
lion to put an end to Prussianism. To
listen to the proposals OF q Prussian
reace. to compromise with the butch
ers Of individuals and of nations so
that they would by agreement gain a
benefit from their crimes would be to
compound an international felony
which this Republic will never do"
The Secretary of State reiterated the
doctrine which President Wilson en-
phasized several weeks ago-that force
alone was the way to meet the Prus-
sian, since force was the one thing
which he respected. PRUSSIA wickedly
sought war. and Prussia shall have war,
and more war, and more war, until the
very thought of war is abhorrent to the
Prussian mind" concluded Mr.. Lansing.
Lord Reading Cheered
The alumni cheered Lord Reading for
several minutes as he rose to speak.
Now the Youngest Doctor Of Laws on
Columbia's roll. the Lord Justice OF
England thanked the university for the
honor paid England through him.
ut is because your sympathles are