Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1919-07-19
RS, s;ss4z <; y :;..sa, ~ y
head department Of the interior.
bureau Of education.
FOREIGN STUDENTS WELCOME,
TO AMERICA.

Will the United States help build
up the civilization of the future by
opening wide the doors Of her col
lcgcs and universities to students
from all over the world? Can Ger
ma,-- rrrStai!ish her educational
prestige and draw students to her,
first from the Near East, and later
from other countries against whom
she fought in the war? Is America
to assume the educational leadership
to which her new responsibilities
call her?
These are questions asked by the
Bureau of Education, Department Of
Interior in II special article in School
Life, an official publication Of tho
Bureau.
In letter to college and UNIVERSE
'ty officers in this country the Com
missioner OF Education writes:
'"rhc higher educational institu-
tiunS Of Western Europe have been
FRUSTRATED by the war. Large num-
hers OF the leading scientists and of
the younger mcu whose scientific
careers were Just beginning have
been killed. Because the intellectual
resources Of the United States have
not been similarly drainrl,-- tho west
crn nat ions are looking 10 the United
States to assume the responsibilities
: of leadership in education ami in
science. That The colleges IN univcr
stiles Of the United States appreciate
these rcSponsjhiliti and are cndcav
orinE To meet Thorn is evidenced by
the various movements that have been
undertaken 10 promote closer cducai-
ioMal relations Between this coun
try and the western allies.
,"Apparcntly Germany expects to
regain the influence which she form
crly cXertcd over foreign nations 10y
means of her universities. technical
schools. and scientific institutes. This
Office is informed that efforts have
already been made by German cduca
tional institutions to recover th"r
clientele of foreign students. especial
Is from tho countries in the near East
adjacent TO or contiguous to Germ
any. There is. Of course, no immcdi
ate Prospect that she could make Il
s%ur"csSful appeal 10 the students OF
Great Britain, France or Italy. Stu
dents ana young scientists in CZccho
Slovakia, JugO-Slayia, Russia Rou
maaia M. western Asia alC mach
more likely to be drawn to German
universities and to technical schools.
Germany is near and they know about
it. The cost of living is lower than
in some Of the rcmotcr countries. cs
pccially the United States. Ncvcrthc
less ii is believed that students from
these countries would gladly come to
the United States il they were famil
Jar with its educational opportunities
| and particularly if they could be as
Surcd Of sufficient means to complete
their education. Evidently ii is dcsir
liable that the tide Of students from
these countries should be turned this
way rather than to Germany. More
over the countries themselves need
assistance. 70 render this is part
of tho responsibility involved in our
new position of leadership.
"rhc State Department, suggests and
this office cordially indorS"S its SUE
&cStion. that the college officers OF
The county give this prohlrm their
attention. If they are generally dis
posed to encourage the coming OF
students from these countries by
means Of scholarships or special Pre-
visions for sclfhclp. their offerings
can be reported to the Bureau OF Edu
cation, transmitted TO the State d."
lpartmcnt and through the agents OF
that Department brought to the a'tcl
ton Of educational authorities in the
, lands mentioned.
, In this connection tho Bureau OF
Education is revising the bulletin OF
Opportunities for foreign Students
at COLLEGES and Universities in Tho
United States" and is planning tho
preparation of very much bricfel