The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1918-06-21
EXPERT SUGGESTS AMERICANS LEARN
 TO SPEAK RUSSIAN

Washington, June 21.-'Why not learn Russian?" It isn't nearly so difficult as is popularly supposed, and America needs for the war today and the commercial reconstruction after the war a large number of intelligent citizens who can use the language.
 Question, suggestion, and patriotic l reasoning are made on the re5pons1- | bility of the United States Bureau or Education, on the staff of which pr. Glen Levin Swiggett has been con- ducting expert investigations into the possibility of equipping larger num- bers of Americans with languages and information that will fit them to sus- tain and rebuild the fabric of inter- national relationship in the future.
 Dr. Swiggett says that all the as- sumption of difficulty comes because inquirers are normally confronted with the Russian alphabet and it's Creek letters, the Russian grammar and it's many lenses, and all the para phernalia of scholastic lore. He tn- inmates that the absorption of this has been altogether too difficult for the Russians themselves, because he cites the fact that hardly four per cent. of the Russian millions ever got to the point of going to school to learn their own language. They can all talk 1t, though.
 A proper method of acquiring the language as Dr. Swiggett outlines it, involves only the simple process of learning few of the simpler words and phrases that mainstay daily inter- course and thereafter absorbing some more. By dint of practice and a sound memory, which he considers no more difficult of exercise than is the American ear for the latest popular song, a modest Russian vocabulary can be acquired. Then if it is de- sired, the books can be consulted and an ambitious young American can do more with the language than many Russians. Afterward he would have a career.
 Yet in spite of this ease, Dr. Swig- gett finds that only 10 educational in- stitutions in the United States attempt to teach Russian, and only three of those have courses that are designed to qualify students in the spoken Ian guage.
 How different the story reads for England" he says. "Of 12 univer- sities reported, nine teach Russian. Of Al schools of the type of Eton, Rugby and Harrow, 10 offer it, and 15 city school systems, all maintain clas- ses.
 CT have no wish to make a brief for the study of Russian for any pur- pose other than the establishment of ways and means whereby our. nation may come to know modern Russia better, to create a way for the coming exchange of Ideas, and wares that must be mutually helpful. That way lies through commerce, exercised on higher plane than the mere barter of products, for immediate and there fore selfish gain.
 T wish to call attention to Russia s great need for engineers Our tech nical schools should have their eyes on the man market of that country. While related only indirectly to con- merce, constructive engineering work is yet a great commercial asset for a nation, and we should endeavor to do our share in meeting Russia's need in this respect.
 Let us now urge the immediate study of Russian for commercial pur- poses. Our nation has a peculiar message for Russia, and possesses Athereby a distinct advantage This message can be delivered best by our commercial representatives. We shall need in consequence a large number of men prepared immediately to trade with Russia on the unselfish basis of fair exchange, and the spirits of a real conquistador of commerce."