The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-02-23

by the Zet to the colonel of the regiment.
that the military authorities might take
action to clear his reputation il they
thought fit. Doctor Fundcr. the chief ed
itor of the Reichsport. has brought the
libel suit, the Zeit having called him a
''swindler' for publishing Wagners mes
sages. The Zeit charged that these mes
sages were largely concocted in the ed
itorial 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 adj
nit that they came in such condensed
form that the aid of military experts was
required to decipher them intelligently.
Some delay before the trial of the case
is likely as the editor OF the Zeit has
asked for month in which to collect ev
idence 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 of
honorary scholastic degrees upon them
selves.
The council thought it betting TO eele-
brate recent anniversary by the dis
tribution of honors to numerous eminent
men, This proposal met with the ap-
proval of the university. Lord Roberts,
sundry bishops and other celebrities were
invited to the university to receive their
diplomas, and the occasion was made n
red letter day in the annals of the quiet
provincial city. Some go degrees alto
gether were conferred, and there was
great enthusiasm over the appearance
of England's foremost soldier, but the
enthusiasm failed to maintain itself at
fever heat when ii developed that about
half of the honors were being distributed
to members of the body which was be-
slowing them in the name of the univer-
sity.
Most of these gentlemen were prosper
Gus merchants and manufacturers, but
the majority were tainted with the sus-
pioion 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 uniyer-
stiles have been very conservative in
granting honorary degrees. The possess
sion of such a distinction was 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 centers, Manchester, Birming-
ham. Sheffield, Liverpool and Bristol.
Graduates of the two ancient schools
have looked upon the new comers with
suspicion, lest they lower the value and
dignity OF being a varsity man. which
IN a country of strong caste lines like
England means vastly more than it does
in America. Hence the storm. The uni
versity caste have been pouring reproach
and ridicule upon Bristol Even profess
sors of the university sign bitter protests
| in the newspapers.
| The bishop of Bristol has published a
| gallant defense. 1t is in effect that the
university is local institution and should
associate itself closely with the life of the
| city. and that the honors were given tc
| men who had worked for the welfare ol
1 the community.
| The matter has not been allowed to rest
however. and there is talk of an appea
| to the privy council. in which ultimat,
1 control of the university is vested, t
cancel the degrees.
Worse things are whispered in the gen
eral agitation the short and ugly word
of American muekrakers-graf The
/ British call it "jobbery." Contracts fol
supplies to the university are voted with
out competition to members of the coun
| ell, say some of the critics. and on terms
1
dinary business.
| Dick Nelson the Swedish American
| fighter, is teaching the royalty and nobil-
| ity of Denmark the manly art of self
defense, according to dispatches received
| here from Copenhagen. His favorite pu-
! pills are prince Aage, cousin of the king
and lieutenant in the Royal Life Guards,
and his friend. Count Siegfried Raben-
7 of of 1it1ic tar of
foreign affairs. The count is married to
a beautiful American girl, who was Miss
Moulton of Boston.
Nelson says that the prince and the
count are the best pupils he ever had.
They are making splendid headway and
at the present rate they will become
champions in their class. 1t is probable
that they will soon don the gloves at
public charity entertainments.
NJ. yNahl. an editor of Sflkeborg lut-
land, who died recently at the age of 81,
had a brother who died 123 years ago.
Wahl was the youngest of IS children and
between the birth of his father and his
own death there was period of 153 years.
His father, who was born in 1759 mar
ried twice. the editor being the youngest
child of the second marriage. The aged
editor was younger than any of his
nephews and nieces.
Rev. Knud Giorup, Danish-Ameriean
clergyman residing at Copenhagen has
secured the cooperation of the King and
the government in his efforts to have
June 10, the anniversary of the appear
ance of the Danish flag at the battle of
Reval. celebrated as a national holiday.
Denmark has had no national holiday
since the custom of observing June 5. the
anniversary of the granting of the con-
stitution, declined. Thanks to the sug-
gestion of Rev. Gjorup, the 10Th of June,
'Dannebrog' Day. will be celebrated this
year all over the country as national
holiday.
PARLIAMENT HOWL EPS