Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1932-05-29
Paul Hymans a World Figure
League in Is Known for od1ahon.

tariffs This was a first step toward
q collective commercial agreement.
Applying to his own country the
ideas he had sponsored for the welfare
of Europe, in September, 1880, Hymans
agreed, in the name Of Belgium, to the
scheme which aimed at securing an
economic convention between Belgium.
the Scandinavian states and Holland.
A treaty between these countries was
concluded at Oslo early In 1854
treaty under which they are seeking
to solve together those problems which
affect their common interest.
Nothing strange, therefore. that this
man, with such past and such a con-
fered last March one Of the most diff
cult tasks and greatest Of honors-the
task Of presiding at the Extraordinary
Assembly Of the League Of Nations.
A statesman from one of the great
powers would not have been the right
man in the right place at the head of
this assembly, the most important in
the history Of the League Indeed, it
would have appeared strange to see
certain European statesmen riding the
moral high horse in Geneva while at
home they are moved by more realistic
If not cynical. motives.
Commanded Confidence.
Nothing Of the kind was to be feared
from Hymans, who, as chairman, gave
new proof that one may blend courtesy
and moderation of form with a most
rooted tenactiy Of purpose The March
assembly was one of the most solemn
gatherings OF contemporary history ana
was great historical lesson: some 60
indanondpnf
and America united to form a supreme
tribunal before which appeared as
suitors en- old country of 100000, O0O
men-China-and one of the most
powerful military organizations in the
world-Japan.
Such procedure proves, first. that
there has been a marked progress in
the affairs Of the world; but it proves
also that the man at the head Of tie
Assembly, the man who SO frequently
was obliged to make decisions on the
spur OF the moment and to take on
heavy responsibilities was worthy of the
honor bestowed upon him.
| Modestly, Hymans passes the honor
on to his country. OF his country he
| has said:
we have had neither revolution nor
commissions nor social rupture And
/ Jul uAStiIullOllS nave eVOlV6Q GRADUALLY
in an atmosphere of freedom
ITO what do We owe this phenome-
non? To the temperament, to the
habits Of the Belgian people. They
have the instinct of freedom, they are
traditionalists. They are tolerant and
as mass. religious. They hate in
! justice and extremes. They have little
liking for sudden changes They relish
| temperate solutions They protest, and
often very loudly; but in action they
have a sense Of balance Reforms hap
pen slowly, after hesitation and oppo-
sition"
In Hymans We have one Of the types
which are becoming rarer in Europe, OF
the intellectual humanist, of the patriot
who, as Mazzini used to say. loves his
own country because he loves and ad-
mires all countries
In their way Of thinking and living
men like Hymans have a CLASSICAL and
individualistic element which gives
them greater serenity and brighter
outlook than can be found among the
new set of dividend politicians
! When men of the Hymans type
which is the Balfour type in England
the Bissoiati type in Italy-have disap-
peared from the scene of our political
| life, We shall probably realize even bet
! ter than now that with these tardy
heirs Of the liberal spirit Of the nine
tenth century. pure light of moder-
alton and intelligence has gone forever