PROFESSOR VON ZEDUITZ AND VICTORIA COLLEGE

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 259, 29 July 1919, Page 6

PROFESSOR VON ZEDUITZ AND VICTORIA COLLEGE

Sir—l was pleassd to read in your i 9»; sue of Julv '-'ii a. letter over ths name of' "Reasonable," with further reference to> the suggested reappointment of tbo above 1 gentleman to the chair of modern languages in Victoria College. It was, ,1 consider, a dignified anil gentlemanly letter. We should remember that Professor von Zcdlitz has given great services; to this country, and that he has never given expression in any tfay to German' sympathies. Surely he has suffered indignities enough. Moreover, he has been a liritish subject since childhood- Those who have had the privilege to be under him have the highest personal regard for him, not only as a scholar, but also as a "white" man. In this conncction we.' should remember that leading educationists.- like Sir Robert Stout and _ others, who know of his exceptional attainments, desire, if possible,, to reinstate him to his former position. 1 have/nothing further to say; but wish to' add in conclusion, in vieiv of the professor's [treat services, that I trust. we> niav hurl no more cowardly remarks at him—let us bo dignified.—l am, etc.,, ■ BRITISHER •New. Plymouth, July-2G, 1919.

Sir,—The reappointment of Mr. von Zcdlitz to the professorship of modern languages at Victoria University wouldba a grievous mistaki. America has learned by experience the tendency of professors from Berlin to Germanise plastic youth, and many have sown in fertile soil tha seeds "of enmity between America and Britain: _ Surely, from the Hun-wrecked universities of Europe a professor could be found better suited for the position. Mr. von Zedlitz received some hundreds of pounds as compensation when ho was asked to resign tha professorship, and surely no man of honour could accept 'reappointment. The reappointment of a German professor would be an insult to our country and allies, to our men who have come back broken in health, to the widows and sorrowing mothers of those killed, and to all who have suffered from the blood-lust,of the Hun. Remember Louvain.—l am, 6tC " BRITON.