Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1913-02-24
WEEKLY LETTER
FROM LONDON.
AUSTRIAN OFFICER, WHO ACTED
AS WAR CORRESPONDENT IN
VESTIGATED AS TO WHETHER

CNI L1ESll1 MEN EAOllED ONEh
HONORARY DEGREES BESTOWED
TOO LITERALLY. AMERICAN
TEACHES PRINCES TO FENCE.
LONDON, Feb. 22.-The reputation Of
Lieutenant Hans Wagner, of the Austro-
hungarian army, as a war correspondent
is to be determined by an Austrian Court
OF Justice, accOring to information re
ceivcd here from the Austrian capital.
Lieutenant Wagner represented the
R%ichspOst of Vienna with the Bulgarian
army. He scored Il series OF Scemiu,
beats over his rivals which attracted
worldwide attention. Afterward accusa-
tons of taking were levellcd against him.
one in particular by other correspondents
who a~SScrteCHthat 4 description of the
battle of Lule BurgaS. when he reported
that he had been at the front three days
in the saddle until my poor horse could
not walk another step" really was writ
ten many miles from the scene of action.
Another Vienna newspaper, the Zeit,
attacked the authenticity Of Wagner's re-
ports somewhat bitterly, and it is to be
the defendant in the litigation. Lieu
tenant Wagner did not bring suit him
self, but reported the attacks made upon
him by the Zeit to the Colonel Of his reg
imcnt, that the military authorities
might take action to clear his reputation
if they thought fit. Doctor Funder, the
chief editor Of the RcichpOSt. has brought
the libel suit. the Xcit having called him
a "swindler" for publishing Wagncr's
messages. The Zeit charged that these
messages were largely cOncOcted in the
editorial office of the Reichspost by Aus
trian staff officers. The ReichSpOSt in
sists that they were genuine. although it
is understood the editor is prepared to
admit that they came in such condensed
form that the aid Of military experts was
required to deciphcr them intelligcntly.
Some delay before the trial Of the case
is likely, as the editor of the Zeit has
asked for a month in which to collect
evidence and prepare his defense. The
hearings will be deeply interesting to
newspapers and military men alike.
The British scholastic world is stirred
to its depths by an agitation over the af
fairs Of the University Of Bristol. which
arises from the enterprising action Of the
members of the University Council in
cOmplimenting themselves by the bestOw-
al Of honorary scholastic degrees upon
themselves.
The Council thought it befitting to Gel
Ahratn a rncaOf anniVorcor - H. 4Ia H.
tributiOn of honorS TO numerous eminent
"len. This proposal met with the APPROX
Of the University. Lord Roberts, sundry
bishops and other celebrities were in
yited to the University to receive their
diplomas, and the occasion was made Il
~ lntt"r LAY in the annals Of the quiet
provincial city. Some sixty degrees alto
gether were conferred, and there was
great enthusiasm over the appearance of
England'S foremost soldier, but the en-
thuSiasm failed to maintain itself ut few
or heat when it developed that about half
Of the hOnOrs were being distributed to
members of the body which was beStOw-
ing them in the name of the University.
Most of these gentlemen were prosper
GUS merchants ana manufacturers DuJ
the majority were tainted with the SuS-
piciOn of lacking such scholastic attain
ments as would qualify them to write
Master of Arts or Doctor Of Laws after
their names. Hitherto all British %univer-
stiles have been very conservative in
granting honorary degrees. The posses
sion of such a distinction was a reward
for real work; scholarly, professional or
scientific.
There are only seven universities in
England. Oxford and Cambridge. of
course, stand alone. The other five are
comparatively new creations. in the great
commercial c%cnterS. Manchester, Birming-
ham. Sheffield. Liverpool and Bristol.
Graduates of the two ancient schools
have looked upon the new cOmcrS with
usSpiciOn, lest they lower the value and
dignity of being a varsity man," which,
in a country of strong caste lines like
hands of the government and its organs.