Evening star., 1904-03-23
PRESIDENT AND KAISER
MR.. ROOSEVELT AND EMPEROR
WILLIAM SEND MESSAGES.
Fiftieth Convocation Exercises of Uni
CHE
versity of sChicago-Baron Won
Sternburg Delivers Address.

| A dispatch from Chicago, ILL.,, last night
says: -
The features of the f1ftieth convocation of
the University of Chicago today were a
letter from President Roosevelt. message
| from Emperor William of Germany and the
comforting of the degree of doctor of laws
upon the German ambassador to the United
| states, Baron 4Speck Won Sternburg, and
upon five professors of German universities,
| invited to visit the university by President
| Harper. The ceremonies took place in Leon
Mandel Hall. on the university campus.
Baron Won Sternburg was introduced and
spoke as follows:
Baron Won Sternburg's Address.
Mr.. President, members Of the University
of Chicago, ladies and gentlemen:
1T is with peculiar pleasure that have
accepted your invitation to join you today
in the celebration of an event which prom
ises to be of far-reaching Importance in the
future understanding of our two great ma
.tions, between which during the last thirty
years the spiritual bonds have played SO
powerful a role The increase in the num-
Der of men of university training in the
| United States and in Germany during this
time has been pointed out of the
most remarkable facts of epoch.
1t means that higher education is at last
ADJUSTING itself to the needs of modern life.
The demand for this education is in both
countries more earnest than anywhere else.
The close relations between American and
German scholars and thinkers laid at
Goettingen by Benjamin Franklin, have
steadily developed and have proved the
most powerful factor In developing Gle aIer
understanding between us.
Never before has this become so ap-
l'parent as during these days of rejoicing,
which have united for the first time
ha iC omit CHI cd nnnl re
and teachers of both countries at this re-
| nOwned center of learning.
Hopes for Closer Intercourse.
This happy and important event, the re-
suit of the wise and far-seeing policy of
the distinguished president of the Univer-
sity of Chicago, should be hailed with joy
throughout our two countries Let us hope
| that this meeting may inaugurate a new
era between us. leading to a close and
| steady intercourse not only between our
men of letters, but also between the peo-
| pies of the United States and of Germany
| in general.
| The honor has fallen upon me to come
| To you the special messenger of Emperor
| William, .Germany's foremost scholar and
teacher, have been requested by his maj
eSty to read to you the following message:
The University of Chicago has united
German and American men of letters to
| celebrate the reciprocity of relations be-
| tween the sciences of both countries. This
| happy event, the significance of which /
| am aware of, commands my fullest SYM
| pathy. ! thank the University of Chicago
for the great honor accorded to my am
bassador and hope that it may flourish for
| generations to come.
(Signed) WILLIAM l. R. 3"
Presidents Greeting.
Dean Hudson then read this greeting. ad-
dressed to Dr. William R. Harper. presi-
dent of the university. and written by Presi-
dent Roosevelt under date of March IS:
"An Americans should welcome the
chance to Join In an event which happily
| honors the achievements of German schol-
arship. To the great scholars known
| throughout the world for their learning who
| have come to your university on this oc-
casIcn | offer a cordial greeting
| Our debt nation to Germany is
weighty and of, long standing. The ex-
| istence among of free seIf-government
has drawn TO our: shores adventurous and
liberty-lovipg men from many lands, so
| that in a. true sense we have become a
| world nation. with ties of friendship which
must bind us in peace to all the great peo-
| pies of mankind
Germany's Share.
| "Germany's share in the upbuilding of
| our composite nationality has been marked.
German blood was freely shed for our liberty
| in the revolutionary war. In our second
great period of national trial our citizens
| of German birth and origin were a unit in
| support of the cause of union and freedom,
| ITO citizenship the German element
! contributes peculiar degree of business
| thrift and industry and of The power of
| joyous living: Finally. German ideals and
German science have given the inspiration
| in our universities for the existing develop
mentS of research and investiga ton. To
| the mother OF modern science and learning
| We now offer an affactionate greeting
| 1T is especially gratifying to me to have
a share in this demonstration of the strong
| friendship which binds together the schol-
ars and the men of high ideals in Germany
| and the United States. The gain to the
| higher life of both countries from such
friendship cannot easily be exaggerated,
| and l am glad to be able on such an occa-
sion to wish you well with all my heart
Gifts Announced.
| President Harper announced gifts of s1O1,-
OOO to the university during the quarter
Among them was $1,000 from Mrs. Conrad
| Sepp of Chicago. to be paid in prizes for
ESSAYS on the subject of 1.-The German Ele-
rnent in the United States With Special
Reference to Its Political, Moral Social and
| Educa tional Influence"
The convocation exercises closed tonight
| with a banquet to the universfty's guests
| at the Auditorium Hotel