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German Education Must Be Recast in Democratic Mold <t / By BAUKHAGE Newt Analyit and Commentator. ?WNC Service, 1(16 Eye Street, N.W. Washington, D. C. WASHINGTON.-Whether we an going to have two worlda or one JU.O knMl. VJIB Ut UIC UOUJC (rounds on which the issue will be decided is Ger many. Lines (or that battle are forming now be tween one of the most powerful forces for democ racy, the Amer ican public school, and one of the most anti democratic forces of old Germany, tne Prussian edu- Baukhage cational system. When congress meets it must con sider the report of the mission ol educators who were sent to th? American zone by the state and war departments to study education in Germany. They came back with a careful and detailed study, includ ing a description of conditions and a set of recommendations which, if they can be carried out, wiU have a vital effect in building democracy in Germany. Perhaps an educational system based on the American model may not be sufficient to democratize Germany but I think it is no ex aggeration to state that without such a system, democracy never will be achieved in the Reich. I had the privilege of attending a conference presided over by William Benton, assistant secretary of state in charge of public affairs, at which Chairman Zook and members of the educational mission were present. I came away deeply Impressed, not only with the factual data present ed?(I was familiar with some of tha Kll* ale? tka ?V ?? ?. / ~ v. ? BWU TTIUI HIV tance of the program as a means of determining whether democracy or totalitarianism will dominate western Europe and perhaps the world. System Mixture of Master, Servant We know how Germany's history, her political and social institutions, have all tended to create a peculiar type of thinking which has resulted in a caste system with a strange mixture of super-ordination and sub-ordination on the part of the in dividual German. The superfi cial and erroneous explanation is that the German is half dominating and half servile. There isn't space here to go into German psychology but there was one point in the edu cational mission's report which was emphasized by their chairman and echoed by Assistant Secretary of State Benton, which partially ex plains this phenomenon. It reveals perhaps the greatest single factor that can block democratic evolution in Germany. This factor, the mis sion says, "has cultivated attitudes of superiority in one small erouD and of inferiority in the majority of the memberi of German aociety, making possible the submission and lack of self determination upon which authoritarian leadership has thrived." *nie bars go down on the path of democracy for the German child in the fourth grade of elementary school. It is here that the fortunate 10 per cent who are to be the "su periors" leave the unfortunate 90 per cent, for at this point?when the \ children are about 10?those who expect to attend the universities and prepare for a professional career are set aside in secondary schools. It is largely the financial or social position of the parents which forms the basis of selection for these sec ondary schools. The overwhelming majority of pupils, a large pro portion of whom deserve university education because at their sbility, finish elementary school and then go on to vocational education. This makes a fundamentally "undem ocratic division of the educational stream." Until they are 10 years old little Frits and Johann have studied and played together in something ap proximating the comradeship of two American boys, though one's father owns the bank and the other's runs s tailoring shop. But when they leave the fourth grade, their ways part and each year from then on, the wall between them grows high er. Dr. Zoofc's voice was filled with real emotion when he described one of the many experiences he had when the mission visited the Ger >, man elementary schools. It was his practice to ask the fourth grade e children: "What are you going to t be?" And without the slightest hes-. itation they would answer: "Butch er, baker, clock-maker, cobbler" or whatever it may have been, never dreaming that it could be anything else, because their way already had been chosen for them. This revela tion, Dr. Zook said, was 'as heart breaking to him as when again and again, four out of five of the chil dren answered "no" to the question: "Did you have any breakfast to day?" Contrast the life of these children with the American children who spend eight years together In the grade schools, many of them four more in high school, where all com pete on equal terms, where ability . can be assayed, where ambition can [ be estimated. 1 School Plant Hit , Hard by War This is only one facet of the prob lem with which the educators who must guide German education will have to deal. There are a great manv nhvsi/?al Hi!?!<*?? !? the first place, there is a dearth ot buildings, of teachers, of equipment. Many of the school buildings are rubble. Many have been requisitioned for various uses by the military government. In the winter there is the question of heat?this winter probably will be one of the worst?and this is one of the most difficult problems to overcome because of the shortage of coal in the American tone. As to teachers, more than one half of the Germans were dismissed because of their participation in the Nazi setup. There are few books. There is a paper shortage because there is no machinery to make paper. There is no machinery because there is no steel. There is no steel because there is no coal. And so the vicious circle continues, affecting the whole question of supply and equipment. There are, on the other hand, some things on the credit side. For instance, the fact that the Germans have an inborn respect for learning and after a generation behind the "iron curtain" they are literally starving for information www#?. ing the rest of the world. I can testify to this from my own con versations with a number of the young people, as well as the older ones, who had had at least a glim mering of the world before Goeb bels. It Is generally admitted that the first two objectives of the occupa tion forces have been realized more fully in the American zone than any where else. I refer to denazification and demilitarization. These are im portant but negative. On the positive side, democratization lags. We know very little about what is hap pening in the Russian zone but a na tion that has progressed as far in moulding the minds of its own peo ple, undoubtedly is not neglecting its efforts in Germany. The recommendations out lined in the miss ion's report In clude similar projects fer the future, as well as varices other steps extending beyond the schools themselves and operat ing through the parents and teachers organisations and other groups. There Is no intention to superimpose upon the Germans any system against their will. 80 far there has been excellent co operation and educational eiretea la Germany are enthnelaslle about the steps already taken. They hope that'trained educa tors will come to Germany; they would be eady tee gtnd to send their people jo ads country far what democracy is bat there la plenty at evidence that they waat ta Bad eat. Presumably the report as for warded to the secretary of state will receive his approval, and congress will have the opportunity to pass upon the whole program but, as the report concludes: "The development of this program Is not the responsi bility at the government alone. Equally, if not more. Important Is the intelligent backing of the American people in the reorienta tion of the German people. We have committed ourselves to a program in which education plays a critical role. There must therefore be no turning back in our support of that program so vital to the enduring peace at the world." BARBS . . . by Baukhage It's time to quit making children study map* that they have to re color with their own blood. ? ? ? Someone rays ifs a line commen tary en radio that Its most success ful comedians are the ones who kid 1 i "The Iceman Cometh" has made a (rest htt on Broadway. Now U you could get a plumber like that when you want one. ? ? e The Monsanto Chemical company has invented a doodle-proof table cloth. It has a plastic protection jtitetoi Inside of taibcoakahle wind-' - MOKE NAZIS FACING TRIAL . . . Here are some ef the topflight members of the Nazi regime who still face trial for the part they played In the Nazi gamble for world power. Top left. Field Marshal General Albert Kesselring; top right, Field Marshal General Erhard Milch, who was Goering's air deputy; bottom left, Col. Gen. Von Dem Bach Zelewski, chief of the "Snper-Gestapo," and, lower right, 8. S. Obergruppen-Fuehrer Otto Ohlendorf, chief, Nazi secret police. UNIT CITATIONS AWARDED S CARRIERS . . . Secretary of the Navy James Forrestal awarded nnit citations to five aircraft carriers for inflicting "terrific losses" on the Jap nayy daring the war. The ships commended were: Cowpens, Enterprise, Hancock, Langley and the Wasp. Forrestal is shown at left. The five other men shown are officers of the aircraft carrier. Wasp. STAG AT BAT IN WOMEN'S COLLEGE . . . Men ipftit for the first time ia M years so the cam pus of the Florida State CoUece for Womb, Tsllihsisoo^ jTU. ^ Jerome Allen, is the tercet tor talpine W . FANCY PANTS! . . . Six-months-old Nancy Sac Fatal, daushter of Mn. L. J. Fatal. San Antonio, Tex., wears an expression that says "Top, K has some to this," as she scoots a rood tho.honse la her new, fatly decorated three-cornered pants. Material ahairtafe hraofht ahont the startltac chance. Mothers in San Antonio took adrantafe of sals of hand towels, hence the labels, "today, Menday, Tnesday. ?to," and hi Che ease of twins toe Is always the "Ws" to her." BLIND EAGLE SCOUT . . . First Boy Scout in history to become an Eagle Scout, although totally blind, is Ronnie Sanders, 16, ol Culver City, Calif. In addition to fire-making the youth had to learn to save a drowning person and earn 21 merit badges. HITLER BELIEVED ALIVE . . . Lt. Col. W. F. Heimlich, Colum bus, Ohio, army intelligence offi cer, who directed search (or Adolf Hitler. He believes that the for mer Fuehrer and his mistress are still alive and in hiding. MAT BE AMBASSADOR . . . Monica Milne, 28, daughter of a London surgeon, has been named Britain's first woman diplomat with an appointment to the per manent staff of the foreign of fice. She may become England's first woman ambassador. FOB WORLD PEACE . . . Study of President Harry S. Truman aa be opened the United Nations gen eral assembly in New York, wel coming the diplomats of 51 na tions. GOLFING AT ONE HUNDRED . . . Nathaniel Vlekcrs, IN, tt Foraat Hills, N. Y., water eoier 1st, architect and rolfer. relebrat ed his lMth birthday anniversary with nine hales of f?tf. Madera- I tiaa in an thtecs la Ms sods. J LIKE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS WASHINGTON. ? The America! people are now beginning to realize that the road to peace after war it never easy. Beating our swords back into plowshares sometimes is more difficult than forging the swords of battle. But one encouraging milestone on the road to peace now is under way in New York where the smaller nations of the allied world, who for months have had to sit and take it from the Big Four, now debate on an almost equal footing. Many may have forgotten it, but this issue of free debate caused a bitter battle at the San Francisco conference. Molotov then wanted to stifle free debate. He proposed that the general assembly of the United Nations not pvpn ha noomittp/t to discuss or to criticize decisions of the big powers sitting on the secu rity council. Australian Foreign Minister Evatt, spokesman for the little powers, opposed. He went fur ther and demanded that the gen eral assembly nnder the recog nised principles of democracy have the power to overrule the security council. He was re buffed, not only by his own "mother diplomats" from Lon don, but also by the isolationist grounded senators of the D. S. delegation. In the end, the general assembly was given the power to debate, dis cuss, criticize, and recommend?but not to carry out. That is what it is doing at the present sessions. Behind the iron curtain, public opinion still is tightly controlled. When it is decontrolled, then we need no longer worry about war be tween the USA and the USSR. Meanwhile, the sessions in New York are like the first struggling but healthy debates of the Continental congress and of the United States congress which grew therefrom. They won't achieve much at the moment, but they should pave the way to great and hopeful things. ? ? ? HARRY TRUMAN'S PRESS If Harry Truman could place an ad in the papers, probably it would read something like this: "Wanted?Good press secretary; willing to work long hours; must be practicing newspaper man, not afraid to say 'no.' Low salary, but private car and plenty of prestige. Call National 1414 or write H S. T., 1600 Pennsylvania avenue, Washington, D. C." There are few weaker spots in the White House staff than Truman's press aides. Vener able Charlie Ross, the Presi dent's secretary, simply isn't filling the bill. Personally one of the finest gentlemen in Wash ington, Rass is by nature an in trovert; doesn't get around much, is a poor spot-news re porter and a complete failure as a press agent. Newsmen who cover the White Souse sometimes are genuinely Harmed at Ross' ineptitude. They :laim he doesn't read the, news papers regularly, doesn't even keep jp with the White House direc ives. Frequently, White House lewsmen have asked about stories vhich were on the front page of the norning paper, but Ross shows he limply has not read the papers. ? ? ? EXIT '52-20 CLUB' The "52-20 club" is folding up for nany veterans and Gen. Omar Iradley, the Veterans' administra or, is deeply concerned over their ifcility to readjust themselves. The "club" is composed of un employed vets who receive relief al owances of $20 a week for 52 veeks. The year is now up for nany ex-servicemen who have been -iding this gravy train, the worthy ts well as the idlers. Many more vho climbed aboard in the first few nonths following V-J Day also will te cut off soon. , Of 1,444,444 claimants 09 the rolls last April, only 44.1S2 bad exhausted all their claims up until August. However, between new and the end of the year from 154,(M to 204,444 will join them. Veterans' administration is fearful many win be unable to find jobs. vRrncrai oraaiey nas never liked the "52-20'club," believing it subsi dized idleness. Many veterans found it more comfortable to live on the S20-a-week dole than to work for a living, although some, including the disabled, made an earnest ef fort to find jobs. Now that the relief train is reach ing the end of the line, Bradley fears that they will have a tough time readjusting themselves to a life of industry. ? ? ? MERRY-GO-ROUND Some people relish reports that they're in the big money, but not Henry Wallace. A report that be vas to get $75,000 from the New Republic drew a quick denial. He's (etting a little less than hia cabinet talary, which was $15,000. . . . Wal ace will remain in Washington this rinter, then move to New York. He las bought a farm up along the Indaon. . . . Wallace aidea didn't rant Mm to become an editor, CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT BUILDING MATERIALS CONCRETE BLOCK MACHINE! I NEW J 8x8x16, Hand Tainped. 82S.OO FRED MURRAY. Oakdale. New T?rk CLOTHING, FP18, ETC. V. S. NAVY ?TOR! SUITS Just received another shipment at than 1 slightly used foul weather suits. For hunt ing. fishing and all outdoor purposes Only S3 for blouse 'with hood) and pants. 1 Parcel post. 25c per suit extra. OKELFD8, ! 14 loath tad St.. Philadelphia 4. Pa. FARMS AND RANCHES BUT AN ESTABLISHED business. Big income dairy farm for sale. Price in cludes ail stock, crops and machinery. Good buildings. Cozy farm home. bath, electric, and water. Immed. poss. Price 121,000. Write P.O. Bes 74, Theapsea. Pa. INSTRUCTION MEN-WOMEN Learn WATCH REPAIRING Clean, profitable profession. Demand great. Practical. Individual instruction. Easy to learn THE BARONIAN WAY. Day and Evening Classes. Visit our new and en larged school. Call, write, phone HI6-1449. Veterans under G.L Bill. 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So trj Lfilli EL rtokbaal TABLETS?on. ad the bom bom. na to build up rad blood la raeb ease. piabbam's Tablet, an aao ad tb. drmtmt blood-iron toalaa yoa ana bu?l At aE dna.tu.m WNU?4 45?46 Hal, Than Clam the BloaS oi BoroaXal Body Wat. 1'ii IJTIWMI" * a'toir 'i^mC'*2 alata Sum blaW-bl M rm. ?T* l?>?111? tel. ? iaili 1. a> ?piba ?b? pa? aad an? tb. aMe s'-ptiaa ai baaabi tirli ? i. laihal lubimanihildalMa rate* u" 1'"^ bS-* atbtj md lam ? n? aad -apt. Otbm alna - War - bhllirW ?dm u. mmmlmm bada. a? ad a. fi i ,???! ar??Ira. ftalTSi Oaa*. hn baas ma
The Alamance Gleaner (Graham, N.C.)
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Nov. 7, 1946, edition 1
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