Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1902-04-25
Cecil Rhodes Gift to Education.

Quite diversity of opinion IL
expressed by prominent educators in this
country and England as e. the practical
results of the provision IN Cecil Rhodes
will for 100 American scholarships AZ
Oxford university. Many professors re
joice in the bequest as "A new ciVilizlng
tie, especially for the United States,
England and Germany. while Others see
draw backs and sugge.t caution send
ing the young men III our country TO an
other to be trained. In general, the pur-
pose Of Rhodes is taken 10 be the unity
OF English speaking people The gift to
Germany embraces only five scholarships
and will probably 90 to German teach
ers. one Oxford professor says 200 new
undergraduates will be only drop in
the bucket and easily absorbed ; another
questions IL $1,000 year will serve for
both college aud vacation expenses.
One OF Harvards faculty, Prof. Parker,
who was educated az Oxford doubts II
the selection OF pupils in this country
will be free from political or other harm
full favoritism, aud alSo thinks II may
injure boy TO place him in comparative
luxury few years and then bring him
back TO former surroundings Prof
Shaler, of Harvard, believes that boys
is better off who works his way through
q university, with now and then little
assistance from the college.
President Eliot, Of Harvard, speaks
guardedly, remsrking that the success OF
the Rhodes undertaking depends upon
the wisdom with which it is administered
for the benefit of undergraduates. Oxford
having no postgraduate work. Mrs.
Julia Ward Howe's opinion is that
American youth should grow up under
our own institutions. IF they do not,
says this wise woman, "they will never
thoroughly understand them. l have OBJ.
served that Americans educated abroad
rather look down upon things in their
own country. Oxford and Cambridge
are aristocratic in their tendencies while
other hand, the supervisor Of the Boston
public schools says American students
at German universities return benefited
and broadened, President Patton, Of
Princeton, is optimistic, holding that
the bequest will foster good will between
the two great English-speaking nations
and serve the cause Of Christian civiliza.
ton. He suggests, however. that there
should be a similar opportunity for
British youths to study in our leading
universities.
Another phase OF the subject is touched
on by President Wheeler, OF the univer-
city Of California, who doubts IL Oxford
university is suited for American youth
because it has insular limitations pecu.
liar to the English upper classes. Oxford
must become cosmopolitan, he say other
wise 300 American youngsters will be
like new wine in old bottles, and Oxford
will burst. English political ideas, colon
ial service and parliamentary opinion
are derived from Oxford, all of which
strong American leaven is calculated 10 !
uusettle. 1t must be remembered that
leading European countries have begun
TO study American methods. Young
Englishmeu are found in American tech
biological institutes and "a French mil.
lionaire recently provided for the com.
ing 20 America annually of a number of /
French technical students. Another /
view presented is that the future ~ the
world will be contested between the
United States, England and Germany on .
one side, and on the other Russia lead.
ing the Slavs one standing for religious /.
freedom aud democracy, the other for
aut0cratic power and religious Iutoler. T.
ance 1t will be noticed that the gift of
Cecil Rhodes has opened mp large field
for discussion