The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-05-05
FROM FAR EAST
Louis B. Fritts. Former Wash.
burn Student, Returns.
Now a Professor in a College
in CeylOn.
NATIVES ARE GOOD
Says They Are Intelligent and
Learn Readily.
Are Also Devoted Followers OF
Amateur Athletics.

Louis B. Fritts, a graduate Of Wash
burn college in 1904 and a member OF
the post graduate class 1903, has JUST
returned from Ceylon where ne mas
been a professor in Jaffna college, Nao-
dukoddai, Ceylon, near where Presl-
dent Sanders of Washburn was born.
He is accompanied by Mrs. Fritts VINO
has been with him in the work Whlcn
has kept him three years and TOUR
months down among the natives in the
hot regions. Mr. and Mrs. Fritts are
here visiting old friends, both in the
city and in the college. They WIZ leave
in about ten days for visit Win rel-
atives in Arkansas. In the meantiii ~
Mr. Frftts expects to deliver some IL
Illustrated lectures and write numoer
of articles concerning his trip ana eA
periences among the natives ana
Christians of Ceylon. In the course OF
his tourney Mr.. and Mrs. FrittS went
around the world.
In speaking to State Journal repor-
ter TODAY. Professor Fritts was enthus-
iastic about the college work among the
people of this supposed wild country.
''They would surprise the average
American with their knowledge OF the
English language" said the professor
Il know some of the native professors
who could give the American educators
pointers on the derivation OF the lang
uage and the many words they meet.
"Jaffna college is situated in Vaddu-
koddai. Jaffna, Ceylon. 1t is men S
school. There is no such thing as CO.
education in Ceylon. There are separ,
ate schools altogether. A natNe siii
does not dare to look at a man until
time of marriage. AS for keeping COM
pany' with them-this is entirely pro
hibited by the fond parents VINO locK
their daughters up in their MONIES anu
watch them like precious 1eweL Inere
are a few girls schools in the country
but they are watched like mans
home. The girls are under the strict
I'm the grade schools the boys and
girls go side by side. However, after
q how is 10 years old he is prohibited
from association with the girls Inc
government runs the schools On plan
somewhat similar to that used IN otn-
err countries Certain funds are grant
ed the managers of the educational IN
situations. These managers are general
" missionaries from this country.
In speaking of the general college
work in Ceylon Professor Fritts gave
some very interesting facts showing the
great advance in education among the
natives Of this country in such snort
time They are becoming so educated
and proud of their country that they
will not allow themselves to be asso-
ciated with India any more, said Mr..
Fritts this morning, IF you want to
insult a man from Ceylon you VIII
mention something about their con-
nection with India. They are proud OF
the fact that they are a separate
crown colony directly under the head
of England.
"The college course in Ceylon lasts
eight years-and it is an eight years
that a student never forgets. The
strictness of the Ceylon colleges and
their exacting examinations make them
many times harder to secure a degree
than the American college. The sys-
tenn is based upon the old English mod
ei-after a man secures certihcate
of passage of examinations he is
granted his degree by the University
of Madras No degrees are given with
out a public examination-and they are
much harder than the American col
lege examination.
at only takes a 35 per cent grade to
pass the public examination given by
the college, but it is the hardest ex-
animation and the hardest So per cent
man ever obtained. One examina-
ton covers two years work and lasts
many hours. The English examiners
are great classical believers and they
make great demands. A mistake in
spelling or in grammar is serious Of
tense. They pay very little attention
to neatness on account of the newness
of the language.
They Play Football.
Athletics pay Il very
part in the colleges of Ceylon. Cricket
and association football are the two bis
games. Cricket comes directly from
England and the football is credited
to America on account of the fact thai
the American college men are always
chosen as coaches. graduate of Yale
Is coaching the Jaffna team at the
present time. The men wear light suits
with big Us on their shirtfronts'
These were quite novel when first in
troduced by Mr.. and Mrs. F'ritts. Mrs
Fritts made the initials for the mer
and they are the most valued honor.
in the college. The men do not veal
them until they have earned them
similar to the custom in the colleges O
the United States.
And 1 would like to say that AS
ISOLATION football is much better from
a spectators point of view thar
Rugby" commented the professor il
speaking of the game. There is NOR,
open work play and 1t is never known
just where the ball will land TIL,
people in Ceylon go wild over the gam
as well as the students and the play
ers.
Every year the college holds a fiel,
day-similar to the one held at Wash
burn on May day. The classes and in
divlduals contest for field honors an,
they put up some hard fights. TIL
Ceylon students are on the average
trifie smaller than the American stud
ents. This year on the hundred var,