The Undergraduate Chair

Successful Campaign to Bring German Refugee Student To Dartmouth Described As Important "Gesture"

IT WAS at the end o£ examination period in early February that one of the more important undergraduate events came to a climax as The Dartmouth, Palaeopitus, and Administrative representatives concluded a drive for funds for two German refugee students, by announcing the collection of sBl6—well over the $6OO deemed necessary for the purpose.

Most people know the campaign was a long, vigorous one; most people are aware of the nature of the previous campus debate over the relative effectiveness of the proposed "gesture" to bring a refugee here to study.

Few people are aware, however, of the case of the German refugee student, one among scores of subsequent applications, who, even before the refugee gesture came up, begged opportunity for admission to what he considered the finest of all American colleges, and unknowingly through his handsomely written letter created some of the first interest and impetus in the refugee-gesture action.

"... I am seventeen and a half years old My father died five years ago. My mother is a non-aryan Catholic. Since I am half-aryan Catholic, there is not under the present circumstances in Germany the least possibility for me to be admitted to the University or to be allowed to enter any other vocation. I should like. . . . a profession in which mental and physical labor are closely associated. I participate in almost every sport: In summer, swimming, handball and track and field sports, in winter hockey and skiing. From a very humble beginning, I organized here in —three years ago an ice hockey club and now, as you will understand, it is very painful for me not to be able to participate in public games, since it is forbidden me in Germany because of my race I received the pamphlet "Dartmouth out o'doors," and I was immediately enthusi- astic about the similarity with our Bavarian landscape and I saw the possibilities for sports. As regards music, I can say that I play the piano and the Glockenspiel and I am a member of the church choir. Forthwith I would like to present my petition: Would you write to me and tell me what possibilities I have to study at Dartmouth College and how the most delicate question of financing my studies can be solved? It is especially important for me to find a vocation in which I will not have to wait too long to earn a living

'I could tutor in Latin and German and I could be a ski teacher, too. However I would gladly undertake any other work such as washing automobiles, etc. My mother can not give me anything nor send me anything with the exception of clothing for several years to come, for first, there is no transfer possible, and besides, all our belongings have been confiscated.

". . . .If I have not given up hope to continue my studies in my most difficult financial situation, it is because it is the sincere wish of my mother to see me in a profession which would make me happy and because I am still very much in doubt about my capabilities to become a business man. Please advise me honestly as to whether I have any chance, to be the recipient of a scholarship and whether I can earn some money on the side and whether my wish to become a student of Dartmouth College can be fulfilled. In case you wish testimonials, I could send them immediately.

"Now you know everything I can write. Perhaps you will laugh at the naive youngster who pictures the situation so simply and begs admission to Dartmouth College. I know that I must rely on the good will and benevolence of understanding people, and I can do nothing but promise I will not disappoint the good people who are going to help me "

The mother of the boy, who wrote a subsequent letter expressing "hope that my good boy still will come to you and I am so happy that there are also other students who have to rely on financial aid and that he is not the only poor fellow" is at this time the recipient of the news that her son has been accepted at Dartmouth, was the outstanding among all the applicants, and that besides being chosen to benefit by the refugee gesture, will be provided with work through the means of which he will be able to complete his education here.

Some, perhaps, even with the assurance of the financial success of the Dartmouth venture, still consider this gesture a bucketdrop in the light of thousands of other young men in Germany in the same position as the boy above, but Dartmouth is giving one of the best of these fellows a chance to go to bat and the importance of that opportunity, gesture or not, cannot be denied.

SCENE FROM FRENCH CLUB'S PRODUCTION OF MOLIERE COMEDY Left to right in the above scene from Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme are Peter H. Koelsch 42of London, England; Mrs. Winslow R. Hatch ('30) of Hanover; Henri C. Bohle Jr. '42 ofScarsdale, N. Y.; Mrs. John H. Cutler of Hanover; Harriman Jones '39 of Orange, N. J.,who played the title role; Mrs. Donald L. Stone of Hanover; and Bert W. Anger '42 ofNew York City. The play was presented under the direction of Prof. Leon Verriest.

JOLLITY AT RECENT 1.0.C.A. GATHERING Eighty participants in the Intercollegiate Outing Club week-end at Moosilauke put theflooring of the new Ravine Camp to a severe test as dancing followed a day of skiing onHell's Highway and the Carriage Road.