Growing Tendency in U.S.A Towards Joining League
Europeans Cannot Understand Americans' Attitude of Aloofness in International Affairs, Declares Jane Addams -- Discusses American Presidential Possibilities, General Conditions
Economic conditions in Europe are steadily improving, according to the statement made last night to The Star by Miss Jane Addams, the well-known international social worker who is visiting the city for the first time in over ten years, to address the fourteenth annual conference of the National Federation of Settlements, this afternoon. "The MacDonald government in England, and the result of the recent elections in France," said Miss Addams, "may he taken as very favorable signs. I think you will find that there is a general tendency towards a more settled state of affairs."
There is probably no woman on this continent who has been more in the public eye than has been Miss Addams for the past twenty years. Shortly after graduation from one of the American universities, she went to Chicago, where she became interested in social work. Such a part did she play that there has grown up in her home, "Hull House," an institution comparable only to the great salons with which such famous women as Madame de Rambouillet or Mlle. de Scudéry, only it is doubtful if either of these ladies ever held the same position in the literary circles which surrounded them that Miss Addams occupies as unquestionably the leading figure in her field. Such an authority has this well-built, firm-mouthed, keen-eyed lady, greying about the temples, who seems to radiate her great interest in and her kindly disposition towards her neighbors attained, that she has been awarded the highest distinction within the power of a university to confer. "For academic occasions," she said to The Star, "I array myself in an LL.D. gown and hood, and in my Phi Beta Kappa key." Miss Addams is proud of the latter. It represents an honorary membership conferred upon her by the chapter of that fraternity at the University of Evanston, Ill. Phi Beta Kappa is an organization to membership in which only persons of very high intellectual accomplishments are elected. To be entitled to wear the key is considered as a great honor.
Not a Pacifist
"I am not a pacifist," said Miss Addams to The Star. "In fact, I do not think that word is in any reliable dictionary. It has been associated with friendliness to Germany during the war, and that sort of thing, and is really distasteful. It really ought to be 'passiveist.'" During the war, Miss Addams placed her extensive knowledge of European economic conditions at the disposal of her government, and served with Herbert Hoover on the food conservation commissions.
"Do you think any reliance should be placed in the prophecies of another war, within the next ten years?" Miss Addams was asked.
"Surely not, with our memories of the last war. But of course I shouldn't have said that it was possible if I had been asked in 1912. However, even in Europe, the situation seems to be clearing up, and the nations are not looking at each other now with the same distrust that they did a short time ago."
Speaking of the attitude of the United States towards the League of Nations, Miss Addams said that she thought she found that there was an ever increasing desire on the part of the American people to have their country enter the league. This was particularly true with the Americans living in foreign lands, with a great many of whom Miss Addams has come into contact during her trip around the world last year. They have been unable to understand the attitude of aloofness which their country has followed. Asked whether the League of Nations played ay part in the present political campaign in the United States, Miss Addams said that it was a big matter with the Democrats.
"Who do you consider as most likely to be the next president?"
Oil Bespattered
"I think McAdoo had a good chance, but he's spattered with oil now."
"Do you think that La Follette will be nominated?" "I think that he is a very strong man, and that he has been wonderful throughout. He has been the real leader of the Progressive Party. I think that he would want to run without any ties, however, and so far he has never broken with his political friends."
Miss Addams is very interested in the work of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom. In her opinion, all the meetings which had been held under its auspices had met with good receptions, and had resulted with a considerable degrees of success. "They said we were unpatriotic, but there are various ways of being patriotic, and such a statement amuses me very much."
Miss Addams will address the National Federation of Settlements [on] impressions and opinions of the races problem, in the recital hall of the Toronto Conservatory of Music this evening. On Thursday, she will be the guest of honor at a dinner of the Toronto branch of the Women's League in the Pompeiian room of the King Edward Hotel.
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