The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1918-06-28
URGES THAT j. s,
CITIZENS LEARN
RUSSIAN TONGUE
Educator Says Languages Is
Not Difficult; Will Be
Needed To Supply After
War Demands.

tBv Associated Press TO The Rannerl
WASHINGTON. June &c - "Why
not learn Russian? 1t isn't nearly SO
difficult as is popularly supposed, and
America needs for the war today and
the commercial reconstruction after
the war large number of intelligent
citizens who can use the language"
Question, suggestion, and patriotic
reasoning are made on the RESPONSE
bility of the United States Bureau of
Education. on the staff of which DR.
Glen Levin Swiggett has been con.
ducting expert investigation 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 interna-
tiOnal 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 its
Greek letters, the Russian grammar
and its many lenses. and all the para
phernalia of scholastic lore. He init.
mates that the absorption of this has
been altogether too difficult for the
Russians themselves, because he cites
the fact that hardly four percent of
the Russian millions ever got to the
point of going to school to learn their
own language. They can all talk it,
though.
A proper method of acquiring the
language as Dr. Swiggett outlines it,,
involves only the simple process of
learning a 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 il the Ameri
can ear for the latest popular song
modest Russian vocabulary can be
acquired. Then il it is desired, the
books can be consulted and an ambi.
tious young American can do moro
with the language than many Rus.
SLAMS. 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 at
temnt IN taach p,ooian ond o,,I,,
three of those have courses that are
dsigned to qualify students in the
spoken language.
How different the story reads for
England" he says. "Of 12 universi-
ties reported, nine teach Russian. or
Al schools of the type of Eton, Rugby
and Harrow, 10 offer it. and of Is city
school systems, all maintain classes.
II have no wish to make brief for
the study of Russian for any purpose
other than the establishment Of ways
and means whereby our nation may
come to know modern Russia better,
to create way for the coming ex-
change Of ideas. and wares that must
be mutually helpful. That way lies
through commerce. exercisd on
higher plane than the mere barter of
products. for immediate and therefore
selfish gain.
II 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 COM
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 peculiar mes
sage for Russia, and possesses there
by distinct advantage. This mes
sage can be delivered best by our COM
mercial representatives. We shall
reed in consequence a large number
OF men prepared Immediately to trade
with Russia on the unselfish basis of
fair exchange. and the spirit of a real
conquistador of commerce."
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