Jane Addams, of Hull House, Chicago, filled three engagements in Lincoln Monday afternoon and evening. She addressed the Lincoln Woman's Club at a meeting at the Temple Theater in the afternoon on "Woman's Movements in Various Countries." In the early evening she made a brief talk at the community chest dinner at the chamber of commerce. At 8 p.m. Miss Addams delivered an address to almost a capacity audience at the St. Paul Methodist Church on the world court.
At the night meeting she discussed the peace movement of recent years and stressed especially the world court, an issue which will be brought before the United States Senate on December 17. She was introduced by Mrs. W. E. Barkley, who has been intimately acquainted with Miss Addams and her work.
Miss Ida Robbins, president of the Lincoln Council of Woman's Organizations presided at the meeting. Mrs. Barkley, in introducing Miss Addams, compared her position with that of a person at a listening post. She imagined Miss Addams listening to the cry of children and inspiring the erection of Hull House, which, Mrs. Barkley said, is an object lesson. Miss Addams was also active in the suffrage movement and now in the peace movement.
Miss Addams' talk was preceded by a group of soprano solos by Helen Hille and an organ selection by Lydia Yost. At the conclusion of the meeting Miss Addams met persons in the audience desirous of becoming acquainted with her.
"The peace movement," said Miss [Addams], "is three hundred years old." It has been developing continuously [throughout] that time. Thirty years ago the Interparliamentary Union, which held a meeting in Washington, D.C., a few weeks ago, was organized. It was an international body made up of representatives of parliaments of various nations, who met and discussed world problems, and returned to their own parliament to endeavor to establish the laws decided upon. The function of the body was largely legislative.
Many executive moves have been made, according to Miss Addams. She cited the Interpostal Union as one example. This body regulates yearly, international postal problems, such as transportation of mails and clearance of postage funds.
"The League of Nations," said Jane Addams, "permits the representatives of the small nations to bring the representatives of the haughty empires to terms."
On the whole, Miss Addams believes that public opinion is against war and public opinion is what controls the destiny of nations and of the world. At the same time, public opinion is tending to favor the entrance of this country, and every country, into an international alliance which will have as its aim, the maintenance of peace.
Questions Leadership of Women.
"We might challenge the assumption that women in this country are at the head of the procession," said Miss Addams, in telling how the women all over the world look to the American women, thinking that they have the best chance, and that they are ahead in women's movements. The fact that other countries in which women have political freedom all have more women in their parliaments and legislative assemblies than America, led Miss Addams to doubt the American leadership of women, and to urge that American women play the part of big sisters to those of other lands, and to keep informed on what is happening among them.
Miss Addams' address was preceded by the business meeting of the Woman's club, presided over by Mrs. Edward L. Marty, the president. She presented Mrs. W. E. Barkley, who introduced Miss Addams.
Comments