The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-09-19
WAR GEOGRAPHY IN
SCHOOLS PROTESTED
Gcrman-American Organizatio,
Sends Letter to City
superintendent.
TEACHERS GET A WARNING
DR.. Maxwell Tells Them to De.,
Only With Unbiased Facts
Of Conflict.

DR.. William II. Maxwed, CITY Su,o.,.
tendent of Schools. In his annua, ,ddns..
delivered before more than i've l,rd..s
principals or elementary and high school,
OF the city yesterday afternoon al Dc WE,
Clinton High School. warned the nj,
cipais against permitting teachers :, ~,
cuss with pupils tho issues OF tho u,,,
DR. Maxwell sustained the opinion =,
Thomas W. Churchill. Presiden, OF IN,
Board of Education, that such ac,lo,
might arouse passion or resentment in IN,
minds of the children and parent, nh,
represent so many nations now in con.
fllct.
You must not express any OPINION ~,
garLing the causes or issues Of IN, un,
that will give offence to the children a,
the public schools" said Mr. Maxv.u
'The reason Is obvious. Our publc
schools are, as they have been well cal,sd
the melting pot into which the children az
all nations are cast IN order tina. tina,
may emerge self-respecting. self-rel,anA
American citizens. Our constant aim
should be to clear tho minds and hearts a
the children OF Old World hatreds ana
pre5udices whether these hatrcds or pr.,.
udices are racial. social or religious, n
order should be issued. clear and positfv>,
No assault on the motives or conduct of
any nation engaged in this war.
1.-THE facts should be treated a. factr
In teaching the geography OF Europe ana
IN the hours devoted TO current eventa ehs
large military movements should be cara
fully and accurately followed with tho ah
OF maps. Every teacher should be prs.
pared to teach this subject accurately,
mo occasion should be neglected 10 i'm.
press upon our children the horrors OF
war-not merely the immediate horrors
of the battlefield. but the collateral nor
rors that follyw in the wake OF the war
the orphanng Of tender children. the pow.
erty, disease and the unspeakable anguish
of mind and body. All this so that our
children TO whom, IN years to come. VIII
be committed the issues of peace or var
for our beloved country may learn tina,
war Is so dreadful thing that Il shouh
never be entered upon lightly but only a.
a last resort"
Commerce sent Il letter to Dr. Maxwell
last night In which 1t said:
I'VE understand from published
statement that you are planning to Is.
tablish shortly in the public schools
special course on the events and progress o..
the European war. and that 1t Is YOU. rI..
pose to use rs n basis OF Instruction u.
ports of a daily paper OF this city t. 'lc
statement IL correct. We feel compelled 70
enter "A protest agllns. such acton on
your part IN view Of the admittedly one.
sided nature Of the news received.
I'VE assume that you are aware OF rhs
cutting Of the German cable and Of ,he
fac: that Russian. British aud Frtr,h ac.
counts Of what is going on constitute %
per cent. Of the Information American
newspapers are getting. Without q tue
perspective II should be apparent That the
Instruction you are supposed to he plan
ming would he a gross injustice 10 ;ho
youth I'm your care ana might be pOsitIy,ly
harmful.
Until rhe war ceases and peace is lie.
clared We think you might with prunrioty
and good judgment postpone the irsti,u.
ton of the course you are said TO coutem-
plate; for then and only then will q fair
and impartial history OF all irhe events ne
obtainablc.'