Evening star., 1932-02-23
MARVIN ATTACKS
ISOLATION. POLICY
Says Spirit of Washington
Directs u. S. to Take
Lead Among Nations.

reefs the. United States to take its place
as a leader of nations and guide hu-
manity to understanding and peace, Dr.
Cloyd Heck Marvin, president Of George
Washington University, declared last
night before a widely representative
academic assembly which witnessed de-
grees bestowed on 1877 graduates and on
20 distinguished alumni.
The address and ceremony took place
At the Bicentennial Convocation of the
university, held in Constitution Hall,
which was an official part of the Dis
trict of Columbia Bicentennial Celebra-
tion program
vice President Curtis was the guest
of honor, but took no part in the exer-
ciseS. His sister, Mrs. Gam, was pres
ent in the audience as was Mrs. Patrick
Jay Hurley, whose husband, the Sec
retary Of WARY Received an honorory
degree.
Washington's policies, DR.. Marvin de-
clared, resulted from applications of the
principles of honesty, justice, liberty
and understanding to existing condi-
These same principles he said, work.
ing through the voices of sincere
leadership in this reformative day. will
attempt to translate national ideals into
a more comprehensive idealism Of the
world unit.
Writings Interpreted.
He pictured Washington, not as ad-
vocating eternal isolation from other
nations, but as seeking to guide the in
fant America through conditions as
they then existed to a position of honor
and strength from which she could lead
all nations to peace.
DR.. Marvin quoted the first President
as writing: "For the time It is our true
policy to steer clear of permanent al
liances with any portion Of the foreign
world, so far, I mean, as we are now at
liberty to do it; for let. me not be mis-
understood as capable of patronizing in
fidelity to eXisting engagements. OBJ
serve good faith and justice toward all
nations. Cultivate peace and harmony
with all"
From this statement DR.. Marvin con-
cluded that the attitude is clear. This
Nation, in the days of its infancy, was
to stand apart, but Washington sharply
points out that it is for the time and
that even then there were certain 'eX-
listing engagements to which the Ma
tion must be true"
The speaker saw the forces unleashed
during the Revolution as perva6ing the
entire world and giving birth to present.
day tendencies. -
Trend to Cooperation.
"At least two Singularly distinguish
able forces are at work in the revolution
current" he stated: First, present
tendencies have freed great numbers of
people from their habitual respect for
authority in matters of opinion, nber-
ated them from former modes of
thought, released them from tribal feel
ing and manumitted them from Gus
tomary living. Secondly, there is firm
trend toward international association
and cooperation, together with the idea
of the establishment and the protection
of the peace of mankSpd. x
Under such conditions, national iso-
1ation is no longer possible or desirable
Our interest is in concord, not aloofnsks
and difference, and our real contribu
tionS rest in the victories of under
standing and peace. 1p Washington's
day, in a period no les5e strained than
our own, old standards were shaken.
People we're beginning to live anew and
States had TO come together to form a
Nation. Then, the task held no prece-
dent. 1t could not have been accom-
plished by man who saw the problem
in terms of archaic theories of govern
ment. 1t could not have been accom-
plished in terms of tradition. 1t could
only be accomplished through the real
essence and, nature OF the situation as
it then existed.
To-day the world is swinging into
new era. Its order will be different in
form and extent from that of two CEN
turies ago. but the spirit of the task re-
mains the same. The basic principles
that Washington heId in mind during
the formative days of this Republic are
as applicable in the tendencies toward a
community Of the nations of the world
as they were when the Colonial States
were trying to understand each other.
With the peculiar experience and
strong tradition of our Nation, descend
ing from Washington we cannot stand
aloof from international considerations
at this critical time in the worlds his
tory Whether we would have it or not,
a baff1ed, discouraged world looks to the
United States of America for vital
share in leadership"
Some NeighbOrs DistrustfuL
The action and thought Of the pres
ent-day United States have been at
brought about the International Court
of Cancellation, the League of Nations
and inspired our soldiers in France, DR..
Marvin declared
How different" he said, ''is this va
rant position from that which WASH
1ngton would have had us maintain
when he said Observe good faith to-
ward all nations Nave we not per-
mitted other nations to draw confused
implications from our backings and fill
ings? Washington said, referring to
nations, Let me not be understood as
capable of patronizing infidelity to eX
believe that we have patronized inf
deity and are hiding behind the power
Of our present. day resources?
THE least that can be said is that
our neighbors are confused as they
think of our policies, and some are dis
trustful. Washington would have our
position clear and impeccable. He
pledged this Nation to such standards
in its international relations. National
uprightneSs only can designate that
policies are necessary for this Nation TO
make her intent evident.
Were this country to follow the
principles of morality among nations as
held by Washington we should be COM
PEELED to accept leadership that we may
observe good faith and justice toward
III udLlOIlS.
Honorary Degrees.
A list of those who received honorary
degrees follows:
Ray Smith Bassler, doctor of science;
Union Noble Bethell,- doctor Of laws;
Philander Belts, Sd, doctor of engineer
ing: Walter Collins Clephane, doctor OF
laws; George Bruce Cortelyou, doctor OF
laws Fred Morris Dearing, doctor OF
laws; John Howard Dellinger, doctor OF
science; Jessie Fant Evans, doctor of
education: Daniel o. Hastings. doctor of
laws; Adolph August Hoehling, doctor
of laws; Patrick Jay Hurley, doctor Of
laws; Nelson Trusler johnson, doctor Of
laws; Stephen Elliott, Kramer, doctor
of education; Alvan Macauley, doctor OF
laws: David Albert Molitor. doctor of
engineering; Charles Napoleon Moore.
doctor of science; Luther Halsey
Reichelderfer, doctor of laws; Joseph