New-York tribune., 1918-03-03

especially in regard to the expression
OF my views on international questions
through the medium of the newspapers
opon the outbreak of the war it seemed
TO me that l could best serve the pop
ular interest by making to representa-
yves OF the press statements in re-
garo to international events, since in q
democracy the newspapers help the pub
nc 10 form the opinions on which &C
ton is based
AS was to be expected, several of
my more conservative colleagues made
evident their objection to this course.
one OF the most influential of them
demonstrated with me by what he prob
ABLY considered friendly counsel. lex
planned to him the reasons for nv
course and answered that l would not
De worthy Of position in a great
american university if I permitted
some one else to fix the limits of my
activities in my old field. l pointed out
that any such methods would be more
appropriate to university in Prussia
than one in free America.
Upon later occasion, this same in
fiuential member Of the faculty warned
me that my advancement at the univer-
slty was barred while I continued to
express my views in the papers. |
could not but feel, considering this pro-
tessor's very important position, that
his admonition must be considered
quasi-official and that virtually it con-
stituted an attempt to restrain me bv
motive of self-interest. | felt this
the more SO since he had also raised
objection to the position I had taken
IN regard to certain questions of in
ternational law.
Assailed by High Officer
"A few days later l received a let
ter from another high administrative
ottlcer and professor in the university.
though not member of my own fac
ulty. 1t was couched in the most en-
phatic language, and took me to task
for certain matters relative to my
communications to the press. was
not willing to admit the right of this
professor thus to address me- Conse-
quently | made no reply. but | took
occasion to register my protest in a
manner that would make ny view per
fectly clear.
Some time later 1 went to see Pres
ident Butler with the intention of
handing in my resignation. | expressed
to him my feelings that if l had be-
come a cause for controversy and irri-
tatior l would rather resign than i'm
pede the great work Of the university.
From what was said I felt that those
professors who had taken it upon them
selves to admonish me did not repre-
sent the university in the position they
took. and / was unwilling to resign
under fire
"a few days ago certain rumors
reached me of impending curtailment
Of the teaching force made necessary
by the financial deficit Of the univer-
sity. 1t was believed that my courses
might be among those eliminated. Al
most Immediately thereafter l received
an official suggestion that | ask for a
leave of absence at the end of this
academic year without pay. Had felt
that the suggestion in my case was
motivated principally by the undoubted
need of retrenchment, l would gladly
have asked for one or more years
leave of absence, and devoted my time
to the completion of certain literary
work which I have promised
But under all these circums stances
rs | have outlined them, l decided that
| had no choice but to rhand in my
definite resignation" H