Norwich bulletin., 1915-11-13
THE WAR PRIMER
BY National Geographic Society

"Goettingen, where is situated the
much described and widely heralded
camp for war prisoners, is a small
German city intimate in the mem
cries of many Americans who have
spent among the most pleasant years
Of their life as students in its famed
University" begins war primer just
issued by the National Geographic
Society. For more than a hundred
years. there has been a colony of
American residents here, and Benja-
min Franklin is honored as the found
er of American, traditions in Goettin-
gen. Thus, Americans have taken
their part in the. University's history
throughout all of it's strongest years.
The old University town nestles
beside a low broken range of hills,
called the Hainberg, the newer part
of the town climbing up the ever
spreading out into the sunny narrow
valley Of the Leine- A more init
mate, peaceful and enchanting setting
could not be well imagined. The town
itself, like our American Washing
ton, is embowered in groves of trees,
while behind it. its forested hills rise
in a solid mass of green, broken only
by a slender grey tower. a memorial
to Prince Bismarck. The valley land
around the town is fresh green
meadow and grain fields through the
summer, and a wide expanse thinly
ACROSS the valley, to the south the
framing of the picture is completed
by series of heavier hills, which
climb higher and higher toward the
mountainous country around Muen-
den. Between these hills, flows the
German courtesy. but one of such
proportions that all visiting Ameri-
cans jump across 1t when it wanders
over their paths. The LENA is one
of many examples of European rivers
Inches deep and feet across.
In the old days. Goettingen was a
strongly defended city, and the great
earthen walls more than 30 feet thick,
still encloses the older parts of the
town, now ringed around upon their
sides by massive trees. which COM
plete a shady walk around the town.
The old wall is Goettingen's most
popular promenade and one upon
which many an American, now closely
following the war news, has idled
away pleasant afternoons and eve
nings. These surroundings, probably
could not be better suited for the es-
! adjustment of a healthful camp for
prisoners, for on all sides is the
freshness of the country and quieting
peFspectives of the idyllic scenery.
Somewhat above $4,000 make UP
! the town of Goettingen and most of
these are interested directly or indi-
rectly in its world-renowned Univer-
sity The buildings of the University
are found scattered in all parts of the
| town, big and new along more re-
| cent streets, old and dilapidated in
the twisted streets of the ancient city
| In it's parks, cafes and byways, in
| normal times. almost every language
| under the sun could be heard; for
! Goettingen was a city to which all
countries sent their students. 1t was
| known throughout Germany as a
| work University, in contrast to the
| more fashionable Universities at Hell
| delberg and Bonn, and, among its
graduates, highly trained American
Englishman, Frenchman and German
are now playing prominent parts in
| the theatre of world events.
| Besides that of its great Uniyer-
sity, Goettingen had secondary fame
AN excellent brand of sausage, man.
/ ufactured primarily for the students
| but respected throughout Germany
| Also, there were made within it's con-
| fines various - scientific instruments
/ noted for their delicate accuracy. The
| sausage and the instrument manufac-
| ture. however, were too intimately
| ty to detract from its fame. The
| American colony at Goettingen wa:
another feature Of the little city's
| life. Due to the generosity of a Ger
man who felt the desirability of stu.
| dent friendship between Americans
Germans and Englishmen, there wa!
completed for the colony a beautiful
club house beside the railway station
| In the clubhouse were located room:
of the American colony. including Z
large colony library in English, anC
a number of class rooms in which
subjects were taught and discussed
best adapted to bring about a deeper
understanding of the German speech
customs, ideals and aspirations. Tit
membership of the colony which
moved into these rooms in los NUM-
bered more than one hundred. where.
as the colony from year to. year
huctuated in membership approx
mately between so to $50. Som,
members of the colony came to Goet
tingen many years ago, and. capt.
waited by the charm of the little cit,
have never found heart to leave it."