Evening star., 1941-04-15
D. A. R. Hears British
Diplomat Call for
Intensified Effort
Minister Butler Sees
War at Critical Phase
In Opening Congress

passion Tor liberty IN Britain,
Neville Butler, Minister of Britain,
last night asked 1000 Daughters of
the American Revolution to uphold
the traditions their society reveres.
First foreign diplomat ever to ad-
dress a Continental Congress of the
d. A. R., Mr.. Butler was given an
introduction by Mrs. Henry M.
Robert, jr., which definitely linked
the society with support of aid to
Britain. His address launched the
s0th Continental Congress in Con-
stitution Hall.
More than armaments, the Brit
ish Minister said, were necessary to
combat the "fevered belief" of the
Nazis "in the absolute right of the
German people to take and use the
world for the enjoyment OF the
German race"
I'VE must contrive to generate
within ourselves" he said, "a pas
sion for our countries and our
liberties no less intense than that
which Hitler by hoarse eXhorta-
tions and tomtom tactics has basely
kindled to his own satisfaction In
the youth of Germany-unless, I
say, we can put into the prosecu-
ton Of this war an intensity OF
effort that will outdo the utmost
that the enemy can forge, we may
well find ourselves faced with a
task to which we are UNEQUAL"
Terming the Coast Guard cutters
recently turned over to the British
Invaluable" Mr.. Butler said that
he hoped within few months time
new freighters will be leaving
the American yards to build that
vital bridge of ships without which
lending and leasing might be idle
words"
Twice Mr.. Butler was interrupted
by bursts of applause-once he spoke
of the example Greece is giving
the world and again he quoted an
Italian journalist as saying England
Is peopled with "47 million
Churchills."
In the beginning of his talk he
commented on the fact that "one OF
his majesty's Ministers in Washing
ton" was speaking to an audience
composed of descendants of those
determined patriots, who, $50 years
ago. put a forcible end to his ma
iesty's authority over the soil where
on we meet"
Liberty or Death" Again.
Centering his appeal around the
same theme, he concluded by say
ing:
The whole American Revolution
produced no more impassioned cry
than Give me liberty or give me
deathr Let it be yours again today
for it is also ours"
In introducing Mr.. Butler, Mrs
Robert said that it was generally
conceded that the D. A. R. has beer
defense of the Nation as the best
assurance of peace.
II am asked" she said, eff there
~ not some inconsistency ina $50
ciety which bears the name of the
D. A. r. supporting aid for Britain
Our society was organized to ex.
tend the institution of self-govern-
nent and to perpetuate the memory
and the spirit of the men and WON.
en- who achieved American inde-
pendence.
With the same qualities of spirit
VFyl nFrNn fr
perpetuate-courage, sacrifice, faitf
against overpowering odds-tht
British people are fighting for the
same institutions of self-govern.
ment that the founders OF our Re-
public fought to preserve.
They are the living demonstra-
ton of the spirit which we as q
society have endeavored to keer
alive. Our admiration and support
is therefore both natural snt
logical"
All Seats Filled.
With every seat in the vast hal
filled, the congress opened with
customary pageantry. Many Of the
delegates kept fans in motion
throughout the entire proceedings
battling with the oppressive
warmth.
F1ag-bearing pages led the march
OF the national officers into the hall
First came pages carrying tht
standards of the d. A. r. and the
United States. Then came page.
with the flags of the 4s States and
the District. Finally. the nationa
officers, with corsages at theil
shoulders and huge bouquets II
their arms, marched down the aisle
and mounted the stage.
Last was Mrs. Robert. wearing {
pink crepe gown beaded in white
Her corsage was of white orchids
She carried bouquet of blue ant
white flowers, the colors Of the D
A. R., and a lei of white carnations
AS the officers took their position
on the stage among the guests from
other patriotic societies and off1cia
Washington, huge American fiaI
suddenly was unfurled in the cen
ter of the hall, dropping from tn
ceiling and floating over the crowd
DIR. Glenn Gives Invocation.
The Right Rev. James E. Free
man, Episcopal Bishop of Washing
tho, who for years has offered tn
invocation at the opening of tn
congress was unable to attend tn
session His place was taken by Dl
c. Leslie Glenn, rector of st. John
Church. Lafayette Square, VIII
prayed that there be mo peace wit
oppression"
Greetings were extended to tn
society by Robert c.. Tracy, vic
president general of the Sons of tn
American Revolution, and Mrs. JON
Morrison Kerr, president OF tn
Children of the American Reyolu
ton.
Asking the delegates to enro
their children in the c. A. R., Mr.
Kerr said, IF we give our youth tn
proper background, we need hav
no fear for the security of America
AS she finishing speaking, two be
wigged youngsters in Colonial dres
stepped forward to present Mr.
Robert with a bouquet. The littl
girl, 9-year-old Elizabeth Kimberl.
uoS Colonial dame tn the heaIIt