New-York tribune., 1921-03-10

600 at Dinner
Pay Tribute
To Paderewski
Call Artist-Statcsman Eman-
cipaior of His Country
at Testimonial Banquet
Given by Civic Forum
He Gives America Credit
Poland's Independence and
Escape From Starvation
Due to u. S., Says Pianist

lgnacc Jan Padcrcwski, pianist and
former Premier of Poland, was culo
gized as the cmancipator of his cOun-
try at testimonial dinner given in
his honor last night by the Civic Forum
at the Hotel Astor. More than GOO
guests attended, among them notabcs
IN the diplomatic, social, musical and
business worlds.
Responding to the tributes paid him
Mr.. Padercwski accepted the plaudts
in the name of his country, declaring
that Poland owed her independence and
relief from starvation to the great
generosity Of the American people
"whose memory will be ever cherished d
by the mothers and children Of the
new republic"
The speakers included Frank l.. Polk,
who presided; Jules J. Jusserand, Am
bassador OF France; Nine Marccla
Sembrlch, the singer, and Henry Nor
genthau. Herbert Hoover was de-
ptalned at Washington by business, but
the guests were not altogether dis
appointed, for his wife read message
from him containing high words Of
praise for "thc artist and statesman"
Robert Erskinc Ely. director of the
Civic Forum, read message of similar
tone from Louis Marshall, who is ill.
Baron de Cartier, the Belgian Ambas-
sador, and Prince Lubomirski, of the
Polish High Commission. were among
those at tho speakers table
Mr. Paderewski was presented a
token in the form Of a leather bound
volume containing the autographs of
the guests
"A Reply to Propaganda"
The occasion had double purpose,
said Mr.. Polk. 1t would serve. he said.
as an answer to "thc insidious propa.
ganda being carried on by small
group of men who, during the war,
Kept very quiet"
IN his message Mr.. Hoover wrote he
had hoped TO be present to add his
tribute to the great service to hu-
manl'y and to Poland that had been
rendered by Mr. Paderewski.
81 know that it was Mr.. Paderewskj's
nigh ideals, his high courage and his
high sense of statesmanship that
brought the independence of the Polish
people out of the chaos of revolution
ana the decentralization of $50 wears of
enemy occupation" continued Mr.
Hoover's message. "Mr Paderewski
has done more than formulate the in
dependence of Poland, Tor he has laid
the Foundation Of democracy in a peo-
pie who for generations had been
given no opportunity of political ex-
perlence. AS time goes on he will
take the position in the minds Of the
Poles akin to that of the men we most
revere in the foundation Of our own
Republic"
Grateful to America
there was tremor in Mr. Paderew-
SKIS voice when he responded.
Il cannot but believe" he said. chat
TINS occasion is one of Poland's red
letter days and I am supremely proud
TO serve a country to which such good
VII and friendship is being offered.
1t is for Poland you have come here
to honor Poland and yourself, for
without America my country could not
DC what she is day
You are idealists," continued Mr..
Paderewski, 'and idcalsts you will re-
main 1t is this idcalism which has
made you the great nation you are and
winch causes you to give countless
millions for the relief of human suffer
ing throughout the world. Poland is
nation once more. We are free at
last and we all are united in an i'm
perlshable gratitude to America.'