Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-12-23
WILSON'S PEACE HOPE
IN LEAGUE Of NATIONS
Tells Sorbonnc Savants Publicity
Of Plan Would Have Averted
Recent War.

Paris, Dec. 23.-ln the great anphI-
theatre of the University of Paris (the
Sorbonnel President Wilson Saturday
afternoon received the degree of doctor,
honoris causa, conferred upon him in
recognition of his work as jurist and
historian. II WIS the first time in the
history of the university that an honorary
degree had been bestowed, authorization
for its granting having been given by re-
cent decree.
President Poinrsrc. 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-
companicd bv Mrs Wilson, William
Groves Sharp, the American ambassador,
and Jean Jules JuSserand, French ambas-
sador 10 the United States.
Alfred Croiset. dean of the faculty
of letters. welcomed President Wilson
in a short address and presented TO him
the diploma of doctor as testimonial
10 his work as an historian and his writings
on historical subjects
Ferdinand Larnaude. dean of the faculty
of law. then bestowed upon the president
the degree of doctor for his works on
Jurisprudence and political science.
President Wilson, III acknowledging the
honor bestowed upon HIM by the Uni
vcrsity of Paris, said:
Il feel very keenly the distinguished
honor which has been conferred upon
me by the great University OF Paris, and
it is very delightful TO me also TO have the
honor of being inducted into the great
4 n. Il g.
have made the history of the University
OF Paris a thing admirable among men OF
cultivation in all parts of the world.
BY what YOU have said, Sir, OF the
theory OF education which has been
followed in France and which have tried
to promote in the United States, ! am
tempted to venture upon favorite theme
| have always thought that the chief
object OF education was 10 awaken the
spirit, and that, inasmuch as a literature
whenever it has touched Its great and
higher notes was an expression of the
spirit az mankind. the best induction into
education was TO feel the pulses OF hui
manitv W hiCh had beaten from age 10 age
through the universities of men who had
penetrated 10 the secrets OF the hum an
spirit.
And | agree with the intimation which
has been conveyed today that the terrible
war through which VIC have Just passed
has not been only war between nations,
but that II A. been also a war between
systems OF culture-the one system tho
aggressive system, using science without
conscience. stripping learning ot ltS moral
restraints and using every faculty oi the
human mind 10 do wrong 20 the whole
race; the other system reminiscent OF the
high traditions OF men, reminiscent of all
these struggles, some OF them obscure,
but Others closely revealed 10 history, Of
men If indomitablc spirit everywhere
struggling toward the right and seeking
above all things else 10 hc free.
The triumph OF freedom IN this war
means that that spirit shall now dominate
the world There Is a great wave OF moral
force moving through the world, and every
man who opposes himself 10 that wave Will
60 down In disgrace.
THE task OF those who are gathered here,
or will presently bc gathered here. to make
the settlements of tins peace Is greatly
simplIfied bv the fact that they are the
masters oi no one they are the servants of
mankind And if We do not heed the
mandates OF mankind We shall make our
selves the most conspicuous and deserved
failures IN the history of the world
"Mv conception OF the League of Ma
tons Is Just tins that i shall operate as
the organized moral force Of men through
out the world and that whenever or
wherever wrong and aggression are plan
ned or contemplated. TINS SCarchlng hight
OF conscience will be turned upon them,
and men everywhere will ask. What are
the purposes that YOU hold In your heart
against the fortunes OF the world
Just a little exposure viii settle most
questions. If the Central Powers had
dared TO discuss the purposes Of this war
for a single fortnight It never would have
Happened: and IT, a should be, they were
forced 10 discuss It for year. the war
would have been inconceivable.
80 feel that this war IS a. has been
said more than once today, Intimately
related with the university spirit. the
university spirit IS intolerant 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 oil the truth, the
purihcation ot life; and every university
man can ally himself with the forces Of
the present time with the feeling that now
at last the spirit Of truth, the spirit 10 VIII h
have devoted themselves has
prevailed and Is triumphant.
II there IS one point OF pride that
venture to entertain. 1t IS that il has been
nv private privilege in some measure to
interpret the university spirit in the public
life Of q great nation, and / feel that in
bonoring me today in this unusual and
conspicuous manner you have first Of all
honored the people represent. The spirit
that | try TO express know TO be cir
spirit and in proportion as serve them
believe that | advance the ~ause of free
dom
II, as before wish to thank you Sir,
from the bottom Of my heart for dis
tinction which has in singular way
crowned my academic career"