Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1904-11-24
IN GERMAN UNIVERSITIES.
Growth in Attendance has Come from
Foreign Countries Other
Than America.

It Is interesting to note that OF the
1882 students enrolled In the German
universities for the term now drawing
to a close, 3093 were foreigners, Of
whom 9S6 were Russians. Female stu
dents to the number Of 1874 were en-
rolled for the term.
These figures do not include such
students az are merely guests (hospit-
ants), of whom there are always quite
q number. These enjoy all the privi-
legeS of the regular students, but they
cannot be graduated. If these be added
TO the others, it is safe to say that fully
ten per cent. of those attending German
universities are foreigners. Almost
1000 Russians, or nearly one-third OF
the foreign element, were matriculated
last winter. Next come the Austrians
and Hungarians, numbering COL, or
about 20 per cent. Switzerland FUR
nished 322 regular students. and there
were 324 Americans enjoying the same
opportunities.
The number of foreign students, espe-
cially of those coming from Russia, has
steadily grown, but careful study OF
the attendance at the German universe
ties seems to show that Americans have
not been adding to this increase. Thus,
If we look over the reports Of the winter
half-year of 1899-1900, we find that the
total attendance at German universities
during that period was 1884 regular
students. of whom 2,369, or about seven
per cent, were foreigners; and that 6O7
of these were Russians, 455 Austrians,
265 Swiss and 917 Americans. Thus
there were only seven more Americans
enrolled last winter than there were
four years ago.
During the nineteenth century Ger
man universities led the world in erudi-
ton and scientific investigation, and
their great professors attracted many
students from all parts Of the world in
quest Of higher education. But times
are altered. Having myself been en-
gagged in educational work as an Amer
lean college professor for good part
of my manhood, have naturally taken
considerable interest. in the life and
work at the various institutions of
learning in this country, and 1t is my
impression that the facilities for higher
education are improving in the United
States much more rapidly than In Ger
many. Despite all our imperfections
one cannot but admire the great up
ward strides which the American sys-
tenn of education, from the humble dis
trict school up, has been making during
the ,ast few decades.
American educational institutions
are the best equipped in the world. l
know but one German university that
can claim to be up to the times in this
regard, and 1t stands third in the list
of attendance. There is steady prog
ress ali along the line Of public instruc-
ton in the United States, and partic-
ularly in our higher class of universe
ties.
The regular reports Of German uni
versities will continue to show the at
tendance Of American students. Though
their number may not increase mate
rally, still they come. And it Is well
that they should, particularly those
that have in view special studies and in
vestigations in certain lines; for Ger
many is prominently the land Of spe-
cfalists. and it must be admitted that
German devotion to special work has
added immensely to the sum of knowl-
edge. Besides, year or two spent
abroad cannot but prove to be great
blessing to the average American stu
dent, not because he needs 1t to prepare
him for his life's work, but because
travel and sojourn in this and other
countries are In themselves liberal
education, and tend to broaden the
mind, widen the horizon, remove petty
prejudices and supply an Independent
Judgment Of men and matters. A few
semesters at a German university,
bringing q young man in touch with the
ideas and methods of the great schol-
airs and scientists Of this country, as
well as with the spirit Of the German
students life, is an advantage generally
appreciated all through life. But all
this is rather a luxury than necessity.
No American need any longer come to
this or go to any other country for high
er education. In my judgment the
United States offers to-day facilities
for collegiate, academical and post
graduate studies equal in quantity and
quality to those offered by any country
in the old world.