The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1911-03-31
SMITH ATTACKS
DR.. MUNSTERBERG
Gives His side Of Case In
Berlin ImbrOgIiO.
QUOTES AMBASSADOR HILL.

Threatened to Gable President Taft
First Full Statement of the Matter
Made on Professor Smiths Arrival lr
Notwithstanding Lights on Di.
plomacy.
Professor Charles Alphonso Smith OF
the University of Virginia arrived re-
Gently in Baltimore from Berlin and
gave a statement concerning the con.
trOversy over Mrs. Smiths failure to
attend the Schleppencour, or imperial
court reception, in Berlin on Jan. Is
last. Mr. Smith is Edgar Allan Poe
professor of English in the University
Of Virginia and went to Berlin as
Roosevelt exchange professor at the
University of Berlin, while DR.. Hugo
Munsterberg went to Berlin as Har-
ward exchange professor.
This is Professor Smiths statement:
'TThe facts in the case are briefly as
follows: When !, as Roosevelt pro-
fessor, first called upon Professor Mum
sterberg in the Palast hotel, in Berlin.
In October last he told me that |, be-
ing an American citizen. would be pre-
sented at the Schleppencour, while he,
being German citizen, would not
have this privilege. A little later in
his inaugural address he again empha-
sized his German citizenship, making
1t one of the reasons why he was ap-
pointed exchange professor.
Hills Promise to Professor Smith.
1.-The Schleppencour, it may be said,
is a very formal court function held
In January, at which the invited guests
who are not Germans are presented to
their majesties through the ambassa-
dors of their respective countries.
About three weeks before this func-
tion | called on Ambassador Hill to
learn whether it was his intention to
present me at the Schleppencour. He
replied: Certainly! Your position as
Roosevelt professor entities you to pres
entation. l should have informed YOU
sooner, but took it for granted that
you knew. Make whatever prepara-
tions are necessary, and shall notify
you as to the preliminary visits to he
made
"On Jan. II. when all preparations
had been made, Mr.. Hill telephoned.
saying that change had Just been
made in the regulation governing the
presentations at the Schleppencour
and that his first secretary would call
at once and explain. The first secre-
tary declared that the new court rul-
ing excluded such Americans as had
already been presented to their ma ies-
ties and that, inasmuch as | had had
this honor at my inaugural address of
Nov. 10, l would not be invited to the
Schleppencour, but would be invited
to the court functions that the Schlep-
pencOur inaugurated.
Charges It All to Munsterberg.
HE added that the new regulation
was made necessary by the crowding
at the SchleppencOur. He did not men
tion Professor Munsterberg's name
except when | asked how many be-
sides myself would be excluded by
the new ruling. He mentioned four,
among them Professor Munsterberg.
This was IA surprise since Professor
Munsterberg had told me more than
once that he was barred by his Ger
man citizenship.
"On Jan. 4, however, l called by ap.
A0intmnnt NIL haSgoHDr
sold him that since | had seen in the
list of those present at the Schleppen-
sour the names of persons who 1 had
been assured would be excluded by the
new ruling | desired more light on
this ruling. After expressing admira-
tiOn for my bearing under trying cir
eumstances Mr.. Hill said, 'Profes.
Sor Smith, do you wish to know the
whole truth in this matterY answer
ed that l had come for exactly this
purpose.
Well he replied, the sole cause of
the trouble has been DR.. Munsterberg.
As soon as the new ruling was an
nounced went to the proper court Of
hcials, who assured me that the Roose-
Velt professor and his wife would be
welcomed at the Schleppencour. Just
about this time, however, Professor
Aunsterberg called at the embassy
and, learning that you were to be pre-
sented, sprang up in great excitement,
saying: "It shall not be! 1t shall not
be! will cable to President Taft!"'
Says There Was Secret Enmity.
What precise form the cablegram
would have taken we shall probably
never know, for Mr.. Hill, being a
man of peace, not only yielded at once
to every demand made, but sent a
messenger to quote me a ruling that |,
did not touch the real issue and to
assure me also that the Schleppencour
after all was very small affair.
Professor Munsterberg's action |
needs no comment. Ever since our
Inaugural addresses 1 had felt that,
while processing publicly the warmest
friendship for me, he was omitting no
opportunity to strike In the dark.
'That Mr.. Hill acted from a real