Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-12-22
Discusses World Topic
Before University
of Paris.
HONORARY DEGREE
GIVEN FOR FIRST TIME
Vice Rector Poincare Lauds Amer
lean Universities, Professors
and Students.
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
PARIS, December 81 (Havas).-In
the great amphitheater of the Uni
versity of Paris (the Sorbonne) Presi-
dent Wilson this afternoon received
the degree of Doctor. Honoris Causa,
conferred upon him in recognition OF
his work as a jurist and historian.
This is the first time in the history OF
the university that an honorary de-
gree has been bestowed, authorize
tion for its granting having been
given by 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.
Cheered by Crowds.
Great crowds cheered the President
when he arrived at the university ac-
companied by Mrs. Wilson, William
Graves Sharp, the American ambaS-
sador. and Jean Jules Jusserand,
French ambassador to the United
States.
Alfred Croiset, dean of the faculty
of letters, welcomed President Will
son in u short address and presented
to him the diploma of doctor as d
testimonial to his work as his
torIan and his writings on historical
subjects. Ferdinand Larnaude, dean
OF the faculty OF law, then bestowed
upon the President the degree of doe
tor for his works on jurisprudence
and political science.
LucIen Poincare, vice rector of the
university and brother of the presi-
dent oil the republic, paid an eloquent
tribute to PRESIDENT Wilson's ability
as u professor before he entered upon
his political career, and told of the
fresldent's part III the war.
Lauds American Students.
In conclusion. NJ. Poincare said:
GLORY to the American studentst
Glory to the eminent professors and
their universities. Glory to you, Mr.
President. who are the first amongst
them. 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-Presiden
Wilson
President Wilson, in acknowledging
the honor bestowed upon him, said:
Presidents Response.
Il feel very keenly the distinguished
honor which has been conferred upon
me by the great University of Paris,
and 1t is very delightful to me also
to have the honor of being inducted
into the great company of scholars
whose life and fame have made the
history of the University of Paris a
thing admirable among men of culti-
walton in all parts CT the world.
BY what you have said. sir, of the
theory of education which has been
followed in France. and which I have
tried to promote in the United States,
] am tempted to venture upon a favor
lite theme.
II have always believed that the chief
object of education WAS to awaken the
spirit, and that inasmuch as litera ture
whenever it has touched its great and
higher notes was an expression of the
spirit of mankind, the best Induction into
education WAS to feel the pulses of hu-
manity which had beaten from age to
ago through the universities of men who
had penetrated to the secrets of the
human spirit.
War Between "Cultures."
And I agree with the intmation
which has been conveyed today that the
terrible war through which we have lust
passed has not been only Il war between
nations, but that it has also been a war
between systems of culture-the one
system, the aggressive system, using
science without conscience stripping
ing every faculty OF the human mind to
do wrong TO the whole race; the other
system. reminiscent of the high tradi.
ton of men: reminiscent of all their
struggles, some of them obscure but
others closely revealed to history. of
men of indomitable spirit everywhere
struggling toward the right and seeking,
above all things else, to be free.
Spirit Now to Dominate.
THE triumph of freedom in this war
means that that spirit shall now domi-
nate the world There is a great wave
OF moral force moving through the
world, and every man who opposes him
self to that wave will go down in dis
grace.
THE task Of those who are gath
cred here. or will presently be gath
cred here, to make the settlements of
this peace is greatly simplified by the
fact that they are the masters Of no
one; they are the servants of mankind.
And II we do not heed the mandates of
mankind we shall make ourselves the
most conspicuous and deserved fail
ures IN the history of the world.
His Conception of League.
MY conception of the league Of ma
tions is just this-that it shall operate
as the organized moral force of men
throughout the world and that when
ever or Wherever wrong and agrees
sion are planned or contemplated this
searching light of conscience will be
turned upon them. and men every
where will ask, What are the pur-
poses that you hold in your heart
against the fortunes of the world?
Just a little exposure will settle
most questions. If the central powers
had dared to discuss the purposes of
this war for single fortnight it
never would have happened. And If,
as should be, they were forced to dis
cuss 1t for year, the war would have
been inconceivable.
Related to University Spirit.
so I feel that this war is, as has
been said more than once today, in
timately related with the university
spirit. The university spirit is in
tolerant of all the things that put
the human mind under restraint 1t
is intolerant of everything that seeks
10 retard the advancement of ideals,
the acceptance of the truth, the puri-
fication of life. And every university
man can ally himself with the forces
of the present time with the feeling
(ConnnuA1 o. Second PagAS