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From President
Duperrey’s speech “Around the World with Rotary”
[…] Another matter which received much consideration during
those meetings was the question of the existence of Rotary in
Germany and later in Austria. Under particularly difficult
circumstances the Rotarians of that district were confronted
with a choice between their ardent patriotism and their devotion
to Rotary ‑ and they have proved by their example that the first
duty of every Rotarian is to be a loyal citizen of his own
country, and that this is possible, even though one is devoted
to the cause of international understanding. We sincerely regret
that the Rotarians of Germany and Austria, in the face of
circumstances, felt that the only decision they could take was
to disband their Rotary clubs, and we are sorry that, through
Rotary, men of good‑will in fourscore countries of the world, no
longer have the opportunity of close contacts with men of
good‑will in Germany. But even though the former members of
Rotary clubs in Germany are no longer Rotarians, they are still
our friends.
A
third matter to which careful consideration was given revolved
around the problems confronting Rotary as a result of the tragic
civil war which is waging in Spain. Not only I as president, but
the board of directors and the European advisory committee as
well as individual Rotarians and various clubs in Europe gave
much thought to these problems. While there is nothing that
Rotary can do in the nature of intervention in that strife, we
nevertheless can and we have relieved suffering. This
humanitarian work was started in France shortly after the
outbreak of fighting when Rotary clubs there provided relief for
Rotarian refugees. That work was taken up by Rotary clubs in
Italy, Switzerland, Belgium and other countries and then as the
need for assistance increased an appeal was made to Rotarians of
the world which resulted in the creation of a fund which is
being most wisely administered bv Mariano Font, a member of my
own Rotary club. I would urge you all to read the account of
that work as related in the June issue of "The Rotarian."
In
March I made an extensive tour visiting Rotary clubs in my own
European continent. First I visited Belgium where the Rotary
club of Brussels had organized a splendid inter‑city meeting and
where I had the honor of a long private audience with His
Majesty King Leopold who is honorary governor of the Rotary
district, and who is deeply interested in Rotary. The next visit
was to Italy where at Milano I was greeted by Rotarians from
practically all the clubs in the Italian district. There in
Italy, Rotary enjoys an exceptionally high standing. His
Majesty, the King, is not only an honorary Rotarian but he is
honorary governor of the district. Nine princes of the royal
house are honorary Rotarians and leading men of Italy are glad
that through the contacts and opportunities offered by Rotary,
there is a possibility of developing mutual understanding. […]
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