Evening star., 1937-10-19
WORLD PRESIDENT
OF ROTARY LAUGHS
AT TALK OF WAR
"Barking Dogs Never Bite y
Says Maurice Duperrey,
Recalling 1914.
CLUB WORKS FOR PEACE,
BUT CAN'T TAKE SIDES
His Sympathies Are With China,
but Officially He Is Neutral.
Would Pay War Debts.

''S~AN - ~ w 49,
Rotarys international president,
Maurice Duperrey Of Paris. arrived
today to join in the Washington clubs
celebration of its 25th anniversary,
optimistic of world peace, despite the
Asiatic conflict and tension in Europe.
He does not believe another world
war is coming. he said emphatically as
he paused between rounds of fetes at
the home of his host and hostess, Ro-
tartan and Mrs. George w. Harris, 3l07
Woodland drive.
He deplored the psychosis of war, "
which he seemed to consider the most
dangerous element in the situation.
Recalls Quiet Of 1914.
He would fall back, he explained, on
an old saying-"barking dogs never
bite" In 1914, he recalled, there were
no warning growls-the war broke like
thunderstorm. And he was in that
war, an officer decorated for valor,
though he never talks about that.
Which are the chief barking dogs?'
one of the newspaper men asked.
M. Duperrey threw up his hands
laughing
Rotary can't take sides" he pointed
out Its influence for world peace
and understanding among nations
must come from the individual inf1u-
ence Of Rotarians.
He expressed hope that the Nazi
| government would come to under
stand Rotary better" and rescind its
order prohibiting party members from
| joining. which had resulted in the dis
banding of the German Rotary clubs
1t was German delegate, he re-
called. who nominated him for the in
ternational presidency at Nice last
Spring, and the German delegation
there voted for him.
Il have my friends in Germany" he
added.
Rotary remains strong in Italy, he
said. and was we'll organized in Spain
when the civilw war broke out.
What can We do in Spain?" he
asked. I'VE can't take sides. That
is, you might say. an international
civil war In France We have helped
refugees. Every club has raised a re-
lief fund. We do not ask refugees
If they are red or white Rotary's
problem in Spain. when the war is
over, as I hope it will be soon, will
be to help reconcile the factions. Un-
like other wars, when the invading ma
tions withdraw after peace is signed.
they'll have to go on living together,
and there will be deep wounds to heal"
Sympathetic With China.
Rotary has numerous clubs in both
Japan and China, he pointed out. and
although his personal sympathies are
with China in the present struggle. Ro-
tary as an organization cannot assign
blame to either nation, but must work
for peace through its members.
Asked whether he thought there was
any prospect that France would pay
its war debt to America, the noted
French industrialist said frankly:
France should have paid it long
ago."
He doubted whether his country
could pay at present, however. He
pointed to the 40-hour industrial law
as favorable financial factor, empha-
sizing that employers still pay for
48 hours work.
Asked what seemed the most neces-
sary attribute in an international
president of Rotary, M. Duperrey said:
"A good stomach"
He recalled the continuous rounds
of banquets in the nine South and
Central American countries which he
has just visited.
In the South American countries,
he said, he found Rotary distinct
influence for international under
standing, which already had helped
settle some disputes.
Rotary can help" he stressed, "but
it is not panacea, and it cannot act
as an organization. It cannot be anti
Semitic, anti-Masonic or anti-anybody
It is not against anything. 1t is for
tolerance and understanding and
peace
M. Duperrey is So. he confessed.
though he added, I'm stabilized at
So"
Speaks Seven Languages.
He speaks flawless English. On his
South American tour he made speeches
in Spanish and Portuguese. He also
speaks German, italian and Esperanto.
In the interview he revealed a dy-
manic personality that yet was effer-
vescent with geniality and humor.
M. and Nine. Duperrey were ten
dered a luncheon at the French En-
bassy. Tomorrow afternoon he speaks
on Rotary as Vehicle" at the Pam
American goodwill forum, at which
the other speakers will be Rotarian
Harrison E. Howe, Secretary of COM
merce Roper, DR.. George F. zook,
president of the American Council
on Education, and DR.. Thomas H.
Healy. dean of the Foreign Service
School at Georgetown University |
Tomorrow night at the Mayflower
Hotel M. Duperrey will be the only
speaker at the silver anniversary
dinner of the Washington Rotary
Club. During their three days in the
CITY. M. and Nine. Duperrey will be
entertained at numerous functions.
The world chief of Rotary will be re-
ceived by President Roosevelt and
Secretary of State Hull tomorrow.