University of Virginia Library

Hermens Stresses Influence
Of Wilsonian Political Ideals

By DOROTHY YOUNG

Prof Ferdinand Hermens of
the University of Cologne
spoke yesterday on the
ultimate effect of Woodrow
Wilson's political principles on
world history.

Mr. Hermans feels that the
essence of Wilson's great
statesmanship was his belief
in the "primacy of purpose," his
recognition of the relationship
between means and ends, and
his insistence upon
responsibility for the future in
all political dealings of the
present.

Mr. Hermens emphasized
that the difficulties Mr. Wilson
faced in imparting his ideals to
the American public at large
are inherent in any system of
proportional representation.

Principles Thwarted

Power and consent are the
prerequisites for successful
participation in world events,
he said, and Wilsonian
principles were thwarted by
the divisive social factors of
American politics.

Knowing that in order to
achieve just and equitable
peace after World War I, he had
to stem the rising "wartime
psychology" in America, Mr.
Wilson responded to war
propaganda with "peace
propaganda."

International Purpose

He was unsuccessful in his
attempt to sway the mob
psychology, but nevertheless
acted in the interests of the
internationalistic purposes
upon which he had settled,
according to Mr. Hermens.

Mr. Wilson recognized the
need for a "concert of nations"
to promulgate the system of
law and cooperation requisite
to the world peace which he so
fervently desired.