LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2468, 22 May 1915, Page 13

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

CERMAN PROFESSORS. Sir,—Anything which will in any way throw light on reactionary Germany, •and explain matters which are a mystery to tlio average Britisher ro German methods, should, I think, be made known. Perhaps no recent writer has inoro clearly assisted in this direction that 'Mr. Charles Sarolea, who is head of the French Department in the University of Edinburgh. Iu this gentlemail's most ablo book, entitled "The Anglo-German Problem," the above subject finds the following expression:— "It has often happened in other countries, when the expression of freo opinions has become diingorous or difficult, that independent political thought has taken refuge in the Universities. Even in Russia, the Universities have been a stronghold of liberalism. In the Germany of tho first half of the 19th century many a university professor suffered in the cause of political liberty. 11l tho Germany of to-day, tho universities are becoming the main support of reaction. Professors, although they are nominated by tho faculties, are appointed by the Government; and here again the Government only appoints 'safs men. "A scholar who has incurred the displeasure of political authorities, must be content to remain a 'privat dozent' all his life. The much-vaunted independence of the German professor is a thine of' the past. They may be independent scientifically; they are not independent politically. It is not that scholars havo not the abstract right to speak out, or that they would be dismissed once they have been appointed; rather is it that they would not be or promoted. A young scholar with Radical leanings knowß that he will not be called to Berlin. "The German universities still lead political thought; they still wield political influence, and their influence may be even greater to-day than it ever was, but that influence is enlisted almost exclusively on the side of reaction." After reading the above clear statement _ re University appointments, and knowing as we do the spirit of Prussia —it is not difficult for us to realise why it is so many Prussian professors influence all who come under their tuition with the spirit of "might is right," with all its train of dependent evils and misconceptions.

Why, even in a free constitution such as that enjoyed by the British Empire, we can easily imagine the unfortunate results which would obtain in our University life, were the professors forced to look for their elevation to party government, which (whilst not so bad as militant Prussianism) would frequently overlook merit in its eagerness to extol the party ticket, This book of Mr. Sarolea's has been, highly commended by the King of tie Belgians, the London "Spectator," and the famous journalist and novelist G. K. Chesterton, besides Professor Sanday and others; in faot, it is an eyeopener to those who desire to understand Germany as it was before the war. —I am, etc., F. T. JEFFERY. Wellington, May 15, 1915.