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

ter Of medicine. from that institution
in 1898. During the years 1893 and 1906
he studied law at St Thomas Uni
versity.
Decorated for Bravery.
At the outbreak of the spanish-Ameri-
can war he served in the Spanish army.
and has a decoration for bravery ex-
hibited in the defense of Manila When
the war was ended his uncle, an infiu-
entail citizen Of Manila, decided TO send
his young son Ignatio de Ycaza Mo-
rantinos TO Georgetown. and MT Oplsso
made up his mind tO accompany him
Both arrived at the university In tho
fall Of 1901 and entered the graduate
school, Mr.. Opisso also entering the
law school. He at first intended to be
candidate for the degree OF doctor OF
philosophy in addition to his law course,
but finally took only a lecture course
in the graduate school, and did two
years work in one at the law school.
receiving HIS degree Of bachelor Of lawf
last year. and the masters degree last
Saturday evening.
When Mr. Opisso left Manila he was a
minor. and, therefore. did not declare
a
Spain. Last year when he applied for
his preliminary papers as an American
citizen. in order that ne might take the
District bar examination, a queer tech
nicality arose. The clerk OF the courts
held that he could not be granted citi-
zenship. as he was, in the eyes of the
law, an ordinary native Of the Philippine
Islands. not having remained by declara-
tiozs a subject Of Spain. Mr.. Opisso
brought the matter into court, and after
some litigation he was granted his pa
pers as an American citizen. and, last
October was admitted TO the bar.
Son of Filipino Poet.
Mr.. Opisso is a~ripe scholar. with a
decided leaning toward literature. His
father was poet or rare attachments,
and one of the best-known literary au-
thorities in the Philippine Islands. Dur
ing his residence at Georgetown, Mr.
Opisso contributed several excellent
translations Of short stories by Becduer
a Spanish novelist, TO the "Georgetowr
College Journal" He will leave the
latter part Of this week for his home
and will. undoubtedly. be heard from
| later in the political affairs OF the Is
lands. since he is peculiarly wcII-h+teo
through his linguistic accomplishments
and his knowledge Of law for a politi-
cal career.
Mr.. Opisso talks very entertsinine,,
Of the aspects Of university education
| in his native land. as compared with
America. Most Filipinos." he saws
VINO have come to this country hay,
already taken degrees in their nativ,
universities. and come here. either for 2
knowledge Of American law, which the,
cannot obtain AT home, or for traIntns
in technical branches"
! me undergra duate schools NJ tb,
/ Philippines and the departments y
| native law and medicine. he declares
| Will not suffer by comparison VIII
American colleges. To enter either IN,
/ departments OF law or medicine thor.
/ the candidate must first have the desre,
| OF bachelor OF arts from a university,
/ and also take a year additional Of sne
/ cial training. The course, which wa
| formerly six years, has now been reduc
| ed 70 four. The medical schools US,
/ German text books, usually and Tn,
/ most eminent members Of their facultie,
| are Germans. In the law course tn,
candidate takes a written examins flor
at the end OF each year in the branche,
studied during the year. and then has az
| additional ordeal at the end Of tn,
| course.
Hard Work for Student.
At first he has the revalida, an ora
examination Of two hours. covering al
| the matter OF the four years course
Next, I'm the tentativa, he IS REQUIRED Z.
make public plea on a subject selected
by the faculty. and Is given only twelv,
! hours Tor preparation. The final cere
mony is the proche triste, a most ter
| rifying ordeal, In which the candIdat,
enters a darxened room, around which
sit three examiners. each with a candl
in front OF him. The candidate takes hi.
seat at another table, and has an ordea
Of two hours in citation Of cases anC
rulings. Each examiner has a set o.
cards-one marked s, the abbrevlatioI
for .'solvesaiientc" excellent; A, fOl
| "aprobado," approved. and r, for IRE
probsdo," not approved. or as we say It
"hunked." without comforting together