HUMANITY’S ONLY HOPE

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 151, 20 March 1924, Page 8

HUMANITY’S ONLY HOPE

ENGLISH-SPEAKING RACES MUST COME TOGETHER THE MEANING OF MORAL OBLIGATION DR. MAYO ON ANGLO-AMERICAN RELATIONS ,f Tt is good to see the two flags going together here,” declared Dr. W. J.. Mayo, founder of the Mayo Clinic, of Rochester, Minnesota, U.S.A., at the welcome extended to American visitors to the recent medical congress by the local branch of the English-speak-ing Union at the Lyceum Club last night. The American party comprised Dr. W. J. Mavo and Mrs. Mayo; Dr. Franklin Martin, editor of “Surgery, Gynecology, and Obstetrics,and Dr. rector-General of the. American College of Surgeons, Chicago, and Mrs. Franklin Martin; Dr. Richard Harte, Emeritus Professor of Surgery,. University of Pennslyvania; Dr. Richard R. Smith, vice-president of the American Gynecological Society, Grand Rapids, Michigan: and Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Kohler, of Rochester, Minnesota. < Mr. C. D. Morpeth, president of the local branch of the English-speaking Union, presided, and, in extending a welcome to the distinguished visitors, declared that the world had had more than enough of war, and the Union believed that the hope for peace and security in the future lay in the coming together of the great nations who spoke the English tongue. War a Great Tragedy. Dr. W. J. Mayo, in responding to the welcome, said that the excellent relations which had at all times existed between the United States and Canada was a proof that English-speaking nations could exist on the best cf terms. Along the thousands of miles of border ■between the two countries there was not to be seen a single warship, gun, or soldier. People passed free.ly across the imaginary boundary line into cither country. “If we English-speaking peoples,” continued Dr. Mayo, “only come in contact with each other freouently then all is well. One of the objects of our visit to this part of the world was to get better acquainted with you.” Proceeding, Dr. Mayo declared that war was a .great tragedy, but it had its by-products, and one of the things which the war forcibly impressed upon the American nation was to remind them that they were AngloSaxons. One of the attributes of the Anglo-Saxon race was good sportsmanship, otherwise knowji as a square deal, which simply spelt moral obligation. “We were very proud,” her-said, “when we imagined that we had been called upon to act as 'Santa Claus’ for all the distressed peoples of the earth. Then the war can© along, and we began to experience certain difficulties both during and after the war. These experiences rather humbled us, and made us wonder at the class of people wo had admitted, many of whom did not understand what moral obligation meant. We had our fingers burnt a bit, but I think it was good for us. W© found it was not possible to convert people from the Balkan States, even during tho second generation, to a sense of our law of moral obligation.” Dr. Alayo went on to declare that with 180 millions of Englishspeaking people who desired to do right, it should be possible to make other people keep the peace. “We Will not Fail You.” "The women,” continued Dr. Mayo, “will furnish the conscience and solace, and we men will furnish the muscle. If you will be patient with us while we are attempting to assimilate some strange tvpos and make them into some semblance of a fair American, we will not fail you. If wo had gone into tho war at the start, we would have gone' in 75 per cent, strong. It took us. two years, but when we did go in it , was with 95 per cent. of pur strength. .The United States is with yon in this English-speaking union. America has more public conscience than any other people in the world, because wo are governed from the bottom. It is pleasing to find in this far-flung colony of tho British Empire the same ideals and aspirations as we have in our own hearts.” (Applause.) “Peer Old England." Dr. Richard Harte declared that the two men who had done most to bring about a better understanding between Great Britain and tho United States were Lord Bryce and President EUiptt, ot Harvard University. There never was a. household, the speaker said., in which there was no difficulty, particularly when there were two heads to it. As children of that great household it was tho duty of both English and Americans to smooth out any difficulties that might arise. AngloSaxon people looked rt things differently to Latins and the Teuton races. There were people who were very jealous of England and America., and who would be only too pleased to drive a wedge between tho two counties if they could do so. - “There is no countiy in the world I have more sympathy for than poor old England,’ continued Dr. Harte. “J met a man in France once who said. ‘What is Eiwland anyway, but nn island in Ibo North Sea, governed by the Scotch, harassed bv the Irish, and robbed bv the Welsh!’ If Ireland had drummed up with England, she might have entered a place in the sun to-day,, instead of being what she now. is—a country Dying to build np a nation on A. forgotten tongue. I congratulate rou people n*>on having taken this jnn 'ter in hand, as it is a most important one ’

Civilisation Must be Fought For. Robert Stout said that people who had been for some time, in New Zealand had always had a warm feeing for the people of the United States. Many New Zealanders had taken part in the Civil AVar, and he could well remember the burning interest which had been taken in that great conflict. “If we aro to do anything for humanity,” declared the Chief Justice, “the English-speaking peoples must come together. Civilisation had still to be fought for, and we must see to it that Iwrbarism did not again rule, os it had so often done in tho past.” An enjoyable musical programme was presented' during the evening. Miss Edna Sneddon played Chopin’s “Polonaise,” Miss Palmer- sang “Hindu Song” and “Life’s Glorious Anthem.” Mrs? Mackay presided at the piano. Supper served by the members of tho club terminated an interesting evening.