Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-11-15
APPELMANK LEAVES
THE UNIVERSITY
Resigns Position as Professor of
German Language and
Literature.
WILL RETURN TO GERMANY
Intends to Take Up Work In Detention
Camps. Especially Among American
Soldiers-Gtvcn a Clean Slate.


has been the head of the German de-
partment at the University of Vermont
for nearly five years. has resigned his
position at the University and will
soon sail for Germany, permission
ana safe conduct having been given
him by he state department. He states
his intention of taking up work in the
detention camps there, especially among
the American soldiers. He told a Free
Press reporter last night, on the eve
of his departure, that 1t Is his greatest
wish from now on to be of service to
these Americans who are interned in
prison camps. and he feels that, with
the American training which he has had
in this country, he will be able to do
great deal for them.
Professor Appelmanns connection
with the University Of Vermont has
been the subject Of much controversy
some Of it at times very heated, for
nearly a year and a half. At the an
nual meeting of the associate alumni.
held at commencement time in 1916
resolution was introduced and
unanimously adopted by the terms Of
which the president of the alumni as
ISOLATION was asked to appoint a COM
mittee of five, whose duty 1t should be
to investigate the alleged anti-Amer-
lean activities OF Professor Appelmann
and report to the president of the as
ISOLATION, who was then to submit the
report to the trustees of the university
Ralph A. Stewart of Boston was
elected president of the association at
the same meeting and in due time he
appointed as the committee H. B.
Shaw of Burlington. NJ. c. Robbins of
New York, Prof c. w. Doten Of Bos
ton. z. w. Lawrence Of Rutland and E.
H. Deavitt of Montpelier. This COM
mittee held several meetings, ques-
toned Professor Appelmann and others
and finally made a majority and a
minority report.
The majority report. signed by all
except Mr.. Shaw. sustained Professor
Appelmann. while Mr. Shaw reported
that. in his opinion, Professor Appel
mann had been engaged in antiAmeri-
can activities
The report was presented to the board
of trustees. at special meeting in
February. and at later meeting In the
spring. Professor Appelmann rendered
his resignation, to take effect at the
pleasure of The board 1t was voted
that the majority report of the investi-
eating committee had exonerated Prof.
Appelmann but his resignation was ac-
copied, to take effect at the close of
the college year, in June. At the an
nual meeting of the board of trustees.
held at commencement time, their ac-
tion in accepting the resignation was in
effect reconsidered by electing Profess
sor Appelmann to the vacant profess
sorship Of German. At the annual meet
ing of the Associate Alumni two days
, later. a motion was made that the mi
nority report of the investigating COM
mittee, which was against Professor
Appelmann. be accepted as the senti-
ment of the alumni. A heated discus
sion followed and the motion was fin
ally laid on the table by vote Of 81 to
40.
When the signal corps came to the
university few months ago the question
arose as to whether the company con-
stituted a training camp. in which case
Professor Appelmann would have re-
quired permit in order to reach his
classes. There was partial hearing in the
matter before United States Marshal A. p.
Carpenter during which the opposition to
the professor was vigorously renewed. The
hearing has never been completed.
About week ago, Professor Appelmann
r""eved a telegram from the Swiss lega-
ton at Washington, saying that permits
sioH idu beeH sIdhtcu MN 10 TetuTfl ~
Germany II he so desired and asking il
he wished to take advantage of this per-
mission. The professor decided to go tc
Washington and discuss the situation with
the state department. lie was most gra
ciously received by the secretary fol-
western European affairs. and he talked
also With several other members of the
department of state
HELD IN HIGHEST ESTEEM.
Professor Appelmann was informed tina
he was held in the highest esteem by tn,
state department. He was told. however
that the United States government had be
como weary with the congested state o
affairs which had arisen in this neighbor
hood over his presence here. that 1t wa
thought that the persecution which he ha,
received might have made him desi
Gus of leaving the country, an
that the opportunity was now open Z
him. No charges were made against hin
and it was stated that the investigation
which had been made of his case had re
suited In giving him a 'clean slate" s
much opposition had arisen against hir
in Vermont. however, that II seemed i'm
possible that he could go on teachn
at the university with comfort and ease
Professor Appelmann was ready to re
sign at this time to save difficulties 70
the university. as he was last spring, an
he wasted no time In doing so. He ais
applied Immediately through the Sws
legation for service among the prisoner