The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-06-12
ANTONIO oPISso D'YcAZA.

each rsRaminer selects a card and places
it on the table face downward Should
the candidate find more than one card
with p on II he VIII know that he can
not obtain his degree.
81 do not think. however" said Mr..
Opiss0. that any country IN the world
offers more or better educational advan-
tages 70 all classes Of its citizens than
America, and I can say that with ut
any disparagement of my native alma
mater. No man who really wishes a
university education need suffer for II
in this country. There are many ave-
nues open 70 him. But our native uni
versities are doing, and have been doing,
excellent work. and the University Of st.
Thomas alone. in Manila, has over LOO
students enrolled IN its various depart
nlents.'
Greek of the Greeks.
There is stin another young man at
Georgetown Law School. member OF
the second-year class, who has per-
sonality of more than ordinary interest
George III Thomaides, a Greek, who
has adopted America as his home. And
while the Filipino students come from a
seat of learning more venerable than
our oldest establishments, Mr. Thomni-
des IS an alumnus of an institution
bearing the name of the oldest univer-
sIty In the world-older even than the
ancient university Of Paris or the me
dieval school OF Padua, a school as
archaic as education itself. that died and
came to life again as IL by a miracle
the famous University of Athens. in
Greece. This university hourished in
tho age Of Pericles, and was not a uni
versity at all in our modern acceptance
Of the word, but a city filled with teach
ers, who taught where they happened to
be and without any concerted agree
ment or consolidation. During the dark
days Of Greece wandering teachers kept
alive these traditions Of learning. and
after the independence OF the country
was secured the modern University Of
Athens, an institution under govern
mental control, with various depart
meuts, was founded and established.
Jealous of It's Honor.
Through this institution all under
graduate work Is certified. and no de-
gree can be given without its rating, the
I colleges simply issuing certificates of
| graduation. Mir. Thomaides is a native
OF Athens, though his family removed
TO Smyrna when he was quite young.
he attended the College Of Smyrna,
which is similar In curriculum to the
| gymnasium of Germany, including the
| intermediate as well as the pOst-gradu-
ate courses. After receiving his certifi-
cate of graduation he took his examina-
/ ton at the University of Athens. He
contemplated studying law there. but
/ happened to meet several Americans at
the Olympian games and heard a great
| NJ g
great universities and the advantages
! offered here 10 ambitious young men.
America had always appeared to me
as the great. the youthful and chivalrou:
| country-the Sir Galahad among the
/ older nations Of the world" said Mr.
| Thomaides. "and the equality, the
spirit of independence Of its citizens
and the material advantages offered tc
ambitious young men crystallized in my
mind a long forming intention to &c
| to that new and wonderful country.
| secured some mercantile commissions
and set sail for New York, arriving
| there ir 1896. I acted as a mercantile
| representative for native firms fol
some time. and then took tho
civil service examination for trans
! latOr and interpreter. Since I under.
stand French. German, and some
| italian as we'll as modern Greek. l had
no difficulty in passing, and ] was soon
assigned to duty in Washington, and a,
| present am employed as translator IT
the Postoffice Department. heve
hopes some day to be allowed TO enter
! the consular service of this Govern
ment, and so am taking the law course
! at Georgetown.
Door of Hope Open.
! 'I am not disappointed in America
No other country in the world offers
such advantages TO the young mar
who seeks after knowledge. To wish Tor
| knowledge and to be willing to work for
II is the only requirement essential tc
| obtaining IL here in the United States
/ Abroad. this is not the case; and while
certain foreign Institutions are more
celebrated, perhaps. In special branches
Of knowledge. no country in the world
has such great and diversified edu-