U. S. NOT "TRUE DEMOCRACY"

At a joint meeting of the International Polity and the Socialist Clubs in the Trophy Room of the Union yesterday afternoon Henri LaFontaine spoke on "The Relation of Internal to External Preparedness." M. LaFontaine has been a member of the Belgium Senate as a representative of the Socialist party for 22 years; he is a professor of international law, president of the International Parliamentary Bureau; secretary of the Union of International Associations, and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1913. At present he is touring the United States, giving lectures at many universities.

U. S. Lacks "Unity of Purpose."

"In travelling through your country," he said, "I have noticed that you lack unity of purpose. You seem anxious to make some change but you do not know what. Your first aim is to get more money, it seems, whereas it should be to put the money which you have, and which you will get, to some use so that good may be derived from it."

In addition to this Senator LaFontaine emphasized four points which, if carried out, would better the national and international relations of the United States and the other countries of the world. "For," an he said, "your country is not at present a true democracy, for your people do not take interest enough in foreign affairs."

He first suggested that the Masonic and other secret societies should be made larger and should become centres of political and economic discussion, as they are in Europe. Already he has arranged to bring leading Masons of Europe to America after the war to address the many lodges throughout the country to try to bring this change of policy about.

Advisory Council Advocated.

His second point was the need of an advisory and consultative council made up of representatives of all stations in life to advise the State Department in its conduct of foreign affairs.

Thirdly, he showed how much better international understanding could be gained by the standardization of weights and measures, and he suggested the introduction of the decimal system.

Lastly he advocated an increase education and enlightened interest in politics as the only means of achieving world order an to this end he showed the necessity of the eight-hour day and the solution of the problem of unemployment to guarantee to the masses the health and leisure to sound thinking