New-York tribune., 1921-11-25

The distinguished French risitor
by Miss Morgan yesterday at the L
for Depost,
for and passionately desired by the
free peoples of all the world.
'And may France and America, more
intimately Joined together than ever
before, find wholesome and generous
rivalry in the promotion of q world un-
derstanding and world civilization
more enlightened and beneficent than
the days of old have ever known"
Responding in his native language,
the Premier said he deeply appreciated
the honor which was being conferred
upon him. He said he had felt before
he came that he was unworthy of it,
and that he had been certain he was
when he discovered that the mortar
board hat, supplied him with the
diploma. was too large for his head.
He said he had been reluctant to at
tend the conference at Washington,
since he did not speak English, until
he was assured that peoples who un-
deratand each other speak to each
other with the heart. This, he said, he
had found to be true.
The Premier spoke of the 400 men
of New York University who gave up
their lives in the World War and said
that those who remained in the soil Of
France he saluted as Frenchmen.
Among those present Mt the cere-
mony were Frederic C. Penheld, for
mer United States Ambassador to Aus
tria; Ebert H. Gary, Robert Under
wood Johnson, Maurice Casenave,
French High Commissioner; Mr.. and
Mrs. Oscar S. Straus and Brigad1er
General Cornelius Vanderbilt
The honorary degree of Doctor Of
Laws at Columbia was bestowed in
camera, the second occasion of its sort
in history. the only other being for
Albert. King of the Belgians. This
unusual procedure was taken, it was
explained, because Premier Brands
engagements did not permit him to de-
vote more than a little while to the
ceremony, which he wished to have
more or less informal.
Met by DR. Butler
The statesman was escorted to the
library by delegation of the France
American Society, of which DR.. Nicho-
las Murray Butler, president of the
university, is the head; He was met
at the steps by DR.. Butler and Colonel
William Barclay Parsons, one of the
trustees. who commanded the 11th
Engineers in France, and escorted to
the trustees room, where he signed
the register for distinguished guests.
Heading the academic procession i'll
caps and gowns, he went from there
to the reading room, where the degree
was bestowed by DR.. Butler, who said;
1T is signal honor that Coum bia
University is privileged to receive the
Io,,t - 1f i.-+r
Of the French republic. 1t is a signal
honor, too, for Columbia University to
be privileged to receive III your person
tried and trusted statesman, leader
and voice of the opinion OF the French
people, ten times named minister and
seven times Prime Minister, who has
come to America to share responsible
ity in one of the most momentous
councils in the history of government.
Never before has a president of the
council crossed the seas, and never
before have you yourself been free to
make the journey to our shores. None
the less you are as we'll known to this
society of scholars, and are as familiar
III person and in speech TO our people
as though you had been among as not
once but many times.
I'VE greet, sir, in you the spokesman
for the spirit of France, that spirit
which has revealed its power, it's
beauty and it's elevation so often IN
the arr, the letters, the science and
the service of men, and which has
lust now shown what stout body and
indomitable will may accomplish When
the spirit OF France makes them ats
servants. 1t was the spirit which said
to the invading enemy, amazingly
powerful and amazingly well prepared:
i.You shall not pass!" 1t made good its
word and the enemy did not pass.
1--WE, sir, could not permit the head
of the government Of the French re-
public to leave our shores without a
greeting and a welcome from Columbia
University. We could not permit him
to turn his back upon the setting sun
without asking him TO nonor us by
writing his name upon the scroll OF
those immortal names which constl-
tute our highest roll Of honor.
Doctor of Laws Degree
az welcome you to Columbia Uni
versity in the name Of its trustees, its
faculties, it's army of students, and its
host Of alumni scattered all round the
globe, as well as in the name of these
brave dead who, life in hand. set foot
in France with the light OF liberty in
their eyes and with glad courage shin
ing from their faces. AS President OF
the Council Of Ministers of the French
republic, as parliamen entarian, as orator
and as statesman, Is friend of America
and as powerful counselor in seeking
the paths of peace, greet you and
confer upon you the degree of Doctor
of Laws honoris causa in this univer-
sity, with all rights and privileges
which attach thereto.
Speaking again in his native tongue,
Premier BRAND referred humcrously
to his feelings on leaving France for
the United States.
i thought, perhaps" he said, "that /
would have to go through an ordeal
such as some unfortunate men of Eu-
rope have to pass through on landing
here. But / was allowed to go free
without questioning; nor did I have to
be brought before the authorities to be
recognized as the Prime Minister Of
France.
"The bestowing to-day of this de-
gree, | feel, is a manifestation that