Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1904-07-08
OUR SCHOOLS AND GERMANY


The commencement address, deliver
ed at the University Of lhe South, a
few days ago. by the German ambassa-
dor. Baron Won Sternburg Is one OF the
notable ones, not only because Of the
distinguished position Of the orator, but
also on account OF the thought It pre-
scented. The Baron declared that the
tendency In this country had for years
been toward German ideals in uniyer-
slty education. Especially is this, he
said, noticeable in the selection Of edu-
Gators who must be men that have
proved themselves, mot only as oxposi-
tors OF existing science, but they must
also be recognized as Independent
workers In the field OF scientific re-
search. For the education Of the stu
dent both ideals are distinctly essen
tial the question ia how TO blend them
in the most satisfactory manner, so as
to prevent the one from being curtail-
ed by the other"
As general proposition this will
readily be admitted. but at the same
time It would be as correct, II not more
so, TO say that Germany is following
American ideals, If II is true that the
locomotive and the steel bridge have
taken the place Of the cannon and the
rifle in expanding the spheres OF ma.
tons; II the Industrial forces are felt
all over the world, and If the salient
question Of the day has become how
to give men the best form Of education,
so as 10 enable them TO manage the
gigantic machine shops to the greatest
benefit Of the people, America must
be given the honor Of leadership in
this great change in ideals. The truth,
however is that sciences and arts are
no longer local, or national. They are
universal and belong to all man
kind, In many respects Amer
lea leads, and In others Germany
leads. We send many students every
year to German schools, but that does
not prevent German educators from
coming here as students. In fact, the
orator quoted a leading German sci.
enlist who admitted that in chemistry.
physics and astronomy We we're ahead
OF the Fatherand, This expert, in an
nouncing his intention to visit Ameri-
ca, said that he did not come 70 teach,
but to learn,
The Baron pointed out that there
was some doubt, both here and in Ger
many, as to the training and education
the young man should receive to bring
out the best in him to grapple with the
new social conditions. Some men Of
fame and experience, he said. are
pointing out that the university does
not equip its graduates to be workers
in the worlds hard work.
This view he met as follows:
IT we count the number OF men OF
university training I'm the United States
and Germany during the last three dec
AIDES, we clearly see that our people
have made up their minds that higher
education has come to stay. The pro-
portion OF persons OF university train-
Ing In these two countries which are
the most energetic I'm educational work
is ever increasing. We are almost sur
prised TO behold how slow we have
been I'm casting on habits which now
seem to us almost medieval"
lie might have added that with ev-
cry fresh year an increased proportion
Of the graduates 20 into all kinds of
business, and that the colleges are not
simply preparatory schools for a few
professions, as they used to be. This
is, perhaps the greatest change in
ideals that has taken place In later
years. and It is one for which the world
is principally Indebted 10 thls coupfrv