Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-09-27
international 0ratory.

4utCAAotLOud1 VldJUIys
AS development of the National
Oratorical Contest, inaugurated several
years ago in this country and partici-
pated in by several million American
school children, the international COM
petition, the third in the series of which
is to take place on the 18th of October
in this city. has assumed a decided i'm
portance and has become an event of
interest to the people of several coun-
tries. This international contest IS a
meeting of the winners of national
forensic battles in their own lands. In
the United States alone this year over
1,s00,o 900 secondary school pupils particle
pated, and it must be assumed that in
the eight countries that are to be rep
resented on the 18th of october the
total Of actual contestants reached sew
eral million. In general terms. the con-
ditions and qualifications of the various
national competitions elsewhere have
been similar to those prevailing in this
country. Thus these eight young men
who two weeks from Saturday night will
deliver their orations one the stage of
the Auditorium represent their respec-
tive countries in the fullest and most
significant sense.
The eight nations that will be rep
resented here are France, Canada, Ar
gentina, England, the United States,
Germany, Mexico and Cuba. The
speeches will be delivered in the re-
spective tongues. three in Spanish,
three in English, one in German and
one in French. The judges, who are
vet to be named, will be multilinguists,
versed in the various tongues that will
be used on the occasion. They will, as
in the national competition, Judge the
orations from the point of view of the
matter and the manner of delivery.
The award of excellence will take the
form of trophy cup, but. apart from
this souvenir, the real prize is the honor
of selection.
No more distinct proof of the value
of these international contests can be
had than the growth in the numbers
Of the contestants. Whereas on the
first and second occasions five nations
were represented, there are now eight.
1t is conceivable that others will be
added to the list as time passes. In
each of the contesting countries here
tofore there has been the keeneSt in
terest on the part Of the educational
authorities, political leaders, and, nat
urally, school children themselves. In
no surer way can there be whole
some arousal of interest on the part
of the younger generation in the his
tory and political development of the
countries that participate.
In the United States the oratory con-
test has proved a factor of high i'm
portance in the development of the
younger citizens, and it Is now recog-
nized as most valuable influence in ma
tional life. The international compe-
tition makes for better understanding
and a closer union of thought between
the nations. The topics of the oratory
contest soon to take place are illus
trative of this influence: French
Thought and the Idea Of Liberty"
"Canada's Future" 1.-The Reborn and
Free Civilization of the Argentine Re-
public" THE English Governmental
System" 1.-THE Development of the
American Constitution" Unity, Justice
and Liberty in the Development of the
German Constitution" 1.-THE Character
and Future of Spanish Culture in
America" this by the representative
Of Mexico, and 1.-THE Cuban Govern
ment,"
All who hear these orations, deliv-
cred by youths Of from seventeen to
nineteen years, whether they hear di-
rectly or by radio, will gain better
insight into the fundamentals and
ideals that have prevailed in the max
ing and the maintenance of govern
ments.