19 JUNE 1909, Page 18

"THE OXFORD ANGLO-GERMAN SOCIETY."

To THE EDITOR Or THE " SPEOTATOR.":1

SIR,—Relying on your welt-known interest in all international movements, I venture to ask if I may, through the medium of your columns, draw the attention of your readers to an Anglo- German Entente Society which has been started at Oxford. The founder, Baron Wernher von Ow-Wachendorf, is a German Rhodes Scholar who is anxious to carry on the work which Rhodes has begun by promoting a better understanding between the young men of Germany and England. With this 'abject in view, he has founded the Oxford Anglo-German Society, which offers advantages, both substantial and social, to the Englishman in Germany. During the first half-year of its existence,--it was founded in October, 1907—the Society has enrolled five hundred and sixty-six German members paying a subscription, and three hundred and seventy English members who are all honorary. The working expenses of the Society ere paid by the Oxford Committee, and the subscriptions which come in from Germany are invested in Consols, with a view to future developments. During the course of the first year a hundred and two letters of introduction were provided or ,Englishmen in Germany, five Englishmen received appoint- ments in Germany through the agency of the Society, and many letters supplying information were sent to members.

This effort of one of the Rhodes Scholars to carry on and perfect the scheme of the founder of the Rhodes Scholarships has attracted much attention in Germany, and, surely, when it is better known in this country: it will be equally well received. In Germany it has received Government support, and amongst its patrons may be found Ambassadors and prominent men in Church and State, in art and science; while institutions such as the %Anglo-German Society, of which Baron von Holleben is president, the Academia:the Auskunftstelle of Berlin, the central reference bureau in all educational matters, and the Berlin Academische Leseballe, the centre of the intellectual life of the Berlin University, have all opened their doors to the Oxford Society. Other advantages, such as a discount of twenty per cent. on theatre tickets, and the opportunity of seeing military displays and other functions, are also offered to the English members. The hospitality already offered and received has done much to foster a good understanding between the young men of this country and their kind hosts, and Baron Wernher von Ow-Wachendorf, to whom all inquiries should he addressed at Christ Church, Oxford, is heartily to be congratulated on his excellent [It gives us great pleasure to afford publicity to an organisation inspired by so excellent a spirit. We wish it all possible success.—En. Spectator.]