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EXTRACT FROM TALK GIVEN TO 28th DISTRICT CONFERENCE ON "ROTARY MEMORIES".

Angus Mitchell,

Past President-Rotary International.

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These are days of deep anxiety about the trend of international events. I believe that our prayers must be made to the Almighty asking that global war be averted. I believe, too, that we must go the limit in making necessary sacrifices to strengthen our resources so that we can give our utmost support to the United Nations in demanding peace and in dealing with our aggressors.

My mind goes back to the years immediately preceding World War II when I was privileged to be associated with the administration of Rotary International.

I remember visiting Germany after the Nice Convention in 1937 and learning first hand of the concern of German Rotarians regarding the future. Soon afterwards Rotary was banned by the German Reich. I remember clearly how this was done. The flimsy excuses put forward to get rid of an organisation working for international friendship and understanding, whose ideals were in direct opposition to those of the then political leaders. At the January 1938 meeting of the Board of R.I., the charters of the German clubs were cancelled. I remember how at that same board meeting our thoughts dwelt upon the threats to Rotary by ideologies which were developing rapidly in various parts of the world. Our disturbing problem was the wisdom or desirability on the grounds of expediency, to compromise Rotary principles in the slightest degree to keep some clubs in existence. We decided that it was neither wise nor desirable. I hold the opinion strongly that Rotary International must never extend at the cost of its principles. As its only purpose is to serve mankind, Rotary International does not need to make concessions.

I remember how the first rumblings came from Japan in 1939 when the clubs of that country applied for area administration. In other words they wanted national Rotary. Very wisely, in my opinion, the Board ruled that this would not be in the interests of the movement as a whole but approved the formation of an inter-district advisory committee. This committee, early in September, 1940, cabled that the incompatability between the idea of a world-wide organisation with a central administration and the idea of a federation of national units would make it difficult to preserve the status quo of Rotary in Japan.

Three weeks later a cable was sent to Tokyo announcing the disbanding of the clubs and the membership was terminated, effective from December 31,1940.

Our Sadness at these happenings remains a vivid memory - our hopes for furthering international understanding blasted - the fulfillment of Paul's dream set back for years. All the magnificent work of Les Petits Comites nullified. Some of you may remember how these small committees functioning in European countries had arranged for many thousands of children and young people to visit each other and spend holidays in the homes of Rotarians in different lands so that friendship and knowledge of each other would be encouraged.

I remember that I was a member of the sub-committee which drew up the statement "Rotary Amid World Conflict," issued by the Board of Rotary International in January, 1940, and adopted in Havana, Cuba. That statement declared Rotary's absolute dependence upon the principles of freedom, justice, truth, sanctity of the spoken word, and respect for human rights. These vital principles remain fundamental. Rotary accepted the challenges of World War II and met many and varied problems created by changed conditions as they arose.

I remember thrilling stories which came from all parts of the Rotary world, stories which lifted our eyes to the great possibilities of Rotary and which told us of the tremendous personal sacrifices which men made for it. The impact of World War II was severe but Rotary stood the test and emerged stronger than ever.

A much happier memory is that of the re-establishment of Rotary in Germany and Japan which I consider the highlight of my year as President. Little did I dream during those years from 1938 to 1941, when clubs in these countries were lost, that I would be in office when they were brought back into the Rotary family.

I remember as if it were yesterday, the special night session during the Board Meeting in January, 1949, when for some three hours or more there was an earnest discussion about this matter in which every member participated. We were unanimous in the decisions taken which approved the re-introduction of Rotary in Japan at the earliest possible moment, and into Germany with the least possible delay. The President and Secretary of Rotary International were authorised and directed to implement these decisions, and I will always remember what a tower of strength and comfort Phil was to me during the rather difficult process. I know that each of us appealed to the Almighty for guidance. I know that together we planned and talked for hours on end and finally through the devoted work of the Assistant Secretary, George Means, who went to Japan, and Assistant Secretary Walter Panzar, who went to Germany, coupled with advice from certain selected Rotarians and former Rotarians, the first club in Japan was re-established at Tokyo, March 29, 1949, and the first in Germany at Frankfurt, May 9, 1949. There was criticism of our actions as we anticipated, but there was also much commendation. I remember saying at the time that the Board was confident in the belief that the re-introduction of Rotary into Japan and Germany would help materially toward bringing about the understanding necessary in the struggle for peace, and I believe it had done just this. General MacArthur during an interview which I had with him a year ago in Japan expressed himself as well satisfied with and grateful for what our movement was doing and told me how it was aiding the re-construction programme. He said that Rotary's ideals and principles along with those of the Y.M.C.A., Boy Scouts and similar organizations are largely the foundations on which social recovery has been based. There have been equally appreciative tributes from Germany.

The development or rather the re-development of Rotary in these countries has been rapid and sound. There are now more than 30 clubs in Germany and 60 in Japan. At Post-War Rotary Conferences held in these 2 countries outstanding resolutions have been adopted - deploring war, regretting attacks made in disregard of human rights, offering co-operation in the job of solving the problems and overcoming the difficulties facing mankind, and pledging their efforts to world peace and international understanding.

Fellows, I am convinced from personal knowledge of the sincerity behind these declarations.

The return of Japan and Germany to the roster of Countries in which there are Rotary Clubs was, I feel, one of the most satisfactory accomplishments. If I had a part in deciding this question again, I would not vary one iota from what we did. I am not lacking in sympathy. I have many friends in Australia, in Britain, in U.S.A. and in Japan, too, who lost sons in the war. There is reason for personal bitterness and hatred but this thing has to be above the individual level. If peace is to come, and if we want to help bring about a situation in which our sons and their sons will not have to fight another war, then I believe that hatred must go.

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