Evening star., 1932-02-23
WASHINGTON FAITH
HELD NEED OF DAY
Representative Lewis Declares
World Court Essential in
Bethesda Talk.
BY a STAFF Correspondent of The Star.

BY staff Correspondent of The Star.
BETHESDA, Md, February 23.-The
faith which George Washington and
his associates displayed in organizing
the League Of States" is needed by
the statesmen of today, Representative
David j. Lewis declared in Bicenten-
nial address in the Bethesda Chevy
Chase High School last night.
Speaking on the topic Government:
National and international" Repre-
sentative Lewis attempted to show, how
the Permanent Court of International
Justice is as essential to the settlement
of world affairs as Americas judicial
system is to the settlement of local
disputes.
Although the immediate causes Of
war are mnumerable, the reasonable
cause" has been the failure OF civ
ilization to provide itself with the in
stitutionS to obtain peace, he said.
Applying his logic locally, Mr.. Lewis
asserted that if Montgomery County
were peopled with angels an arbitrator
would be needed just as inevitably,
although perhaps not as quickly, as
if the county were inhabited with bar
barianS.
After explaining the need for the
World Court, lauding its personnel and
denouncing the reservations framed, by
the United States Senate, the Mary
land Representative answered some OF
the arguments that are advanced
against it.
ANY valid argument against the
World Court applies with equal force
against the court at Rockville, the court
at Annapolis and the court at WASH
ington, he declared.
Although the power to enforce de-
cisions of an arbitrator in international
disputes is sometimes questioned, Rep
resentative Lewis claimed that 100 such
disputes had been handled in this way
without recourse to war IN any instance.
No sovereign rights would be surrender
ed by a nation in joining world
court, he contended.
Mr.. Lewis asserted he did not neceS-
Sarily associate disarmament with tne
World Court, pointing out that before
a strong government was established
in our Western States armed commit
tees of safety used to hang horse thieves
and other criminals. Long after an
authorized consCabulary took over TINS
work men continued to carry arms, ne
recalled.
Referring to his work in the coal
mines of Pennsylvania at the age OF
8, Representative Lewis said at that
time he came under the influence OF
Quaker and for 80 years stood Tor the
Quaker doctrine of peace and order.
The sinking of the Lusitania converted
him temporarily into a militarist, ne
said and forced him TO realize that
in the field of international relations
anarchy prevailed with no instrument
tality for the preservation Of peace.
Representative Lewis spoke in re-
sponse to a petition circulated in South
ern Montgomery County by nom
partisan committee. He was introduced
by William Tyler Page, who presided
and recited the American Creed"
The improper use of the flag on the
stage of the school auditorium also
prompted Mr.. Page to give short les
son in flag etiquette.
'"The Mohicans," male sextet cufa-c
posed of Alden Potter, w. N. Gamble,
Edward Stock, jr.; Stephens Stock, Her
bert Evison and Joseph Peace, accom-
panied by Miss Marcia Boynton, render
ed several selections.