October 11, 1940: Prepare, Read, Discuss

Article about International Relations Club in the Spectator by Opa

Transcription:

Henry Speaks for I.R.C.

By Thomas Doeppner

Discuss Minority Problem

Trying to make Macoleg students familiar with some the the so-called undiscussed causes of war, the I.R.C. will have for its topic this and the following week, the "Minority problem." It is going to be discussed as thoroughly as possible in two weeks' time.

Robert Nance and Dale Stucky are going to give short lectures, the one dealing with the history of the minorities, the other one with the question of how the minority problem has been an influence in the present conflict. A week from today, there will be a discussion about the problem.

Let us make this discussion a real success by being prepared for it. On the I-shelf in the library, a small number of books and magazines is to be found which deal with the problem. Come to this and all other discussions of the I.R.C. as well prepared as possible, today and every Friday at 4 o'clock in the 8. U.R.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, October 22 and 23, Mr. Henry Wheeler, the field secretary of the American Friends Service committee for the Kansas area, will be on the campus to discuss the problem of conscription. Definite programs have not been made yet, but he is going to give talks in chapel before a general 8. C.M. meeting.

He will give personal conferences with men and women who have personal problems about the conscription. The I.R.C. will have a special meeting for a discussion under his direction. Watch the Spectator for further announcements concerning this program. Be sure not to miss the opportunity of hearing this outstanding speaker.

**Missing section**

...ill-employed young men that our decadent profiteering system let loose in the world. 

During the last week, the Soviet press showed a friendly attitude toward England by showing the influence which the British trade unions and the working class are having in the defense of Britain. Although this does not necessarily mean that the long expected change of Russia has arrived, it is at least a statement that Russia is not in favor with the present policies of Germany and Japan.

One might consider it as a thread to the axis or better triangle powers, of the Russian secretary of war declared, "Russia does not consider itself free from any provocations that may threaten its border." It is not difficult to guess what provocation he is referring to.

Radio Programs of Interest

Tomorrow evening at 6:00 CBS will present People's Platform, a program containing a discussion of "Japan's Partnership in the Rome-Berlin Axis."

Once again, I miss college. And I did not take full advantage of my education. Sigh. I love that the International Relations Committee (I.R.C.) is fostering conversations that are informed with provided reading material (how fabulous is that?!). I wonder what minorities were being mentioned here? If they are discussing the war, were they speaking of the anti-semitic rhetoric found in Germany and everywhere? I wish I could have attended the discussion and read the materials! 

The reference to Russia reminds me that Russia is always a fickle friend or foe.

This calls me to do better with my self-education.  Prepare. Read. Discuss. 

October 4, 1940: Americans Eat Lots

Opa writes the latest "Henry Speaks" article from the International Relations Club 

for the Gospel Messenger

Transcription:

Henry Speaks For I.R.C.
By Thomas Doeppner

Horner Is Program Chairman

Don Newkirk, former chairman of the program committee, has resigned. His place has been taken by Lucile Horner, the black-haired, black-eyed Texas-girl. The committee consists of Lucile Horner, Wayne Crist, Robert Nance, and Thomas Doeppner.

This week's program is a book review about Muste's book, "Non-Violence in an Aggressive World," to be given by Esther Sherfy. After the book review, Esther will lead a discussion about the book and its problems.

A week from today, the club starts a s study about the minority problem. Two short lectures will be given by college students, and after that a discussion about the most important part of these lectures will be led by Dale Stucky. Everybody who is interested in this study, should be prepared by reading the study material about it, which is available on the I-shelf in the library.
**(missing section)**
action merely "publicly confirms a relationship already existing." But this need not hinder us from gaining a challenge or two from such a declaration.

We are astonished by the Axis powers' frequent use of the term "new order." But, I wonder if, by chance, we Americans were living, three hundred fifty people per square mile as in Italy and Germany, or nearly five hundred as in Japan, whether we also would demand a "new order."

Undoubtedly it is going to take much more than propaganda, politics, treaties, or even armaments to make the world a safer place to inhabit. With United States citizens enjoying over fifteen acres of land for each head or about fifty people for every square mile, with our lavish squandering of resources unknown to many Europeans and Orientals, and with our digestive capacities so crammed with food that doctors tell us we dig our graves with our teeth, dare we accuse those less fortunate for desiring a "new order?" Someday

**(missing section)**

First- sorry about the missing sections! I'll see if I can't find the rest of it. It's hard to copy all relevant material quickly- sometimes you miss some things!

Opa is writing a little update from the International Relations Club, first with logistics of leadership change and events/discussions and then some updates on the world events. 

I can't help but think that Opa is feeling very confident in his identity as a sort of adopted American. He speaks from the American perspective, although he is clearly pointing out some glaring faults - made more glaring by his own knowledge of life inside Nazi Germany. I'm kind of surprised that he isn't more hesitant to share these thoughts of almost sympathy for the people of the Axis powers. He makes a solid point, but he must have confidence that his readers will receive it well. I think his comment on how much land Americans have might be a little skewed by his time in Kansas vs Berlin (people in New York have a different experience, and people in Bavaria aren't cramped). However, his example of the lavish amounts of food is a solid one. Opa almost never knew a life with out rationing. There are likely some folks in Kansas who have just survived the dust bowl who would beg to differ on their food availability. Although maybe now that things were better, they were stuffing and hoarding food because they had gone through a time without. 

My favorite line: "doctors tell us we dig our graves with our teeth." That is an expression I had not heard and it is delightfully accurate and fabulous.

Opa might not be completely holistic in his thoughts on the world stage, but he definitely gives the well-fed Americans something to think about, and he does so daringly. I think the general consensus for people not from America is STILL that we eat a lot.

October 4, 1940: Jesus Changed Literature

Article in Gospel Messenger about Dr. Naumann's talk

Transcription:

"Fate Need Not Correspond To Character"

Dr. W. A. Naumann Addresses Chapel On Interesting Theme

"Christ gave a consistent view of the relationship between destiny and personality." declared Prof. Walter A. Naumann, who spoke upon the influence of the Gospel on the presentation of man in literature during the chapel you Monday morning.

Three essentials of the novel are characters drawn from everyday life, incidents from history and daily events, and motivation which must harmonize with the character and his situation. 

The anthropomorphic qualities of ancient paganism contended that there must be a relationship between the personality and his fate - one's fate corresponded to his character. They separated fate from outside forces. Thus, the Stoics isolated themselves from the world by a false dignity. Early examples of literature manifest this fatalistic philosophy of the times.

"No correspondence exists necessarily between fate and character" is the teaching of Christ. The life and death of Christ teaches that men are not confined to an earthly existence but their lives reach out into the spiritual realm. The literature created after the advent of this new theory was profoundly influenced, as the student of literature may readily observe.

Professor Walter Naumann was another German refugee that McPherson College supported and rescued from the tight grip of the new, Nazi way. McPherson College was a small Church of the Brethren school, and therefore had regular chapel services and other religious activities. They encouraged outside voices, Dr. Naumann and Opa included. I don't know if Dr. Naumann shared the religious beliefs of the Brethren school, but he was able to present material that connected his literary background to the Gospel. Impressive!

I love this idea that prior to Jesus' philosophical break through, that the people felt very much like fate was connected to character. This makes sense- most people still thin this. You get what's coming to you, what comes around goes around, etc. 

Naumann's statement is that Jesus turned this philosophy on its head, saying that your character and personality actually did not necessarily affect your fate. Why do good things happen to bad people (and vice versa)? 

I love that Naumann connects these philosophical ideas to literature. So once a writer gets the idea that character does not affect fate, the storylines can shift significantly. I don't know enough about literature to know if this is true, or if this short recap of Naumann's presentation is accurate- but it's food for thought. I appreciate that the school encouraged critical thinking.

This article kind of makes me miss college. Where you can hear lectures and ideas from incredibly well-read experts about almost any topic. I should look into the local college and see if they have a lecture series!

September 27, October 5, 25, 1940: You're a Shoo-In!

Letter from Marjorie Schauffler to Opa

Transcription:

September 27, 1940

Mr. Thomas Doeppner,

McPherson College,

McPherson,

Kansas

My dear Mr. Doeppner:

You will undoubtedly be relieved to learn the report of a recent interview in Washington in regard to the extension of your visa. We are confident that you should expect the completed papers within a short time.

Sincerely yours,

(Mrs.) Marjorie Page Schauffler

Information from Conference with Department of Justice

Transcription:

Questions regarding Student Visas:

9-21-40

Conference with Department of Justice

Thomas Doeppner:

Q: Does the fact that Mr. Doeppner earned money during the summer for his Fall college expenses, depositing these as earned with the college constitute an infringement of his visitor's permit?

A: No. Mr. Salisbury was satisfied this his summer earnings were purely a matter of maintenance during that period and assurance for his expenses for his ensuing college year; as such they are entirely acceptable under the conditions of a visitor's permit.

Mr. Salisbury has no question but that Mr. Doeppner's student visa will be renewed as soon as it is possible for the Department to reach his case. The burden of work is particularly heavy at this time, but the case should be reached in a few days. The expiration of the passport does not constitute a difficulty. The extension of the visa granted by the Immigration Service will itself constitute evidence of the acceptance of Mr. Doeppner's nationality and status by the United States Government, inspite of the fact that his passport is no longer valid.

Letter from Opa to Marjorie Schauffler

Transcription:

Thomas Doeppner   McPherson, October 5, 1940.

McPherson College

Mrs. Marjorie P. Schauffler

American Friends Service Committee

20 S. 12th St.

Phiadelphia

Dear Mrs. Schauffler,

I thank you very much for your letter of September 27. I was much relieved to learn that things seem to work out all right. There  is just one thing which I am wondering about. In the copy of your conference with the Department of Justice, you mention that my student visa is likely to be renewed. The visa I have now, is not a student visa but a visitor's visa, thus the problem is not to get it renewed, but to get my visitor's visa changed into a student visa. It might be that I did not express myself clearly in recent letters, therefore I want to draw your attention to this.

Thanking you for the help you are giving to me, I remain,

Sincerely yours,

Thomas Doeppner.

Letter from Opa to Kathleen Hanstein

Transcription:

Thomas Doeppner   McPherson, October 5, 1940.

McPherson College

Mrs. Kathleen Hambly Hanstein

American Friends Service Committee

20 S. 12th St.

Phiadelphia

Dear Mrs. Hanstein,

I have received word from Mrs. Schauffler regarding my visa; you probably know about this letter, it stated that the fact that I earned money during summer time, does not create difficulties about the extension of my staying.

The dean of McPherson College wrote to the U.S. Office of Education, asking how much credit should be given to me for the work I had in Germany. The answer was that I can get only six hours college credit, that means that I would have to go for another year and a summer after this year to McPherson College if I wanted to graduate here. During this year, however, I can take all the courses in Mathematics and Physics which are offered here, thus another year at McPherson would be lost for me, as far as my education as an engineer is concerned. Do you think there are possibilities of receiving either a scholarship or else some kind of support in a school which is specializing in engineer work? I thought about Kansas State College in Manhattan, Kansas, a college which has special engineer courses. Many students of McPherson College who want to become engineers have gone to that college. The expenses, however, are at least as high as in McPherson, because there will be many laboratory fees. What are the steps I should take to work out a plan to go either to Manhattan or to another school? I do not think that I shall be able to make much more money during summer time than I did last summer. Last summer I earned around $150.

I would like very much to get your advise about this.

Sincerely yours,

Thomas Doeppner.

So this is a bunch of letters- but they all go together and they are all really informative. Let's start with the first one. Opa hears from Mrs. Schauffler who basically gives him the cue to breathe a sigh of relief- she reports from her meeting with the folks in DC who have a say in his visa matter. Her final analysis: it's going to be ok! You're a shoo-in! 

Next we have the memo of information about Mrs. Schauffler's meeting in DC- where Opa can read plainly the moment when Mr. Salisbury basically guarantees Opa's successful visa renewal. I think it is odd that no one seems concerned about his lack of a passport. I am also a little troubled by the way that the memo of information on the conference uses the phrases "Student visa" and "visitor's visa" interchangeably- when I think they are very distinctly different visas. 

And.... that's what Opa says in his response to Mrs. Schauffler- basically "Thanks! Are you sure we're talking about my visitor's visa becoming a student visa?" I have no idea why everyone is so confused about this and yet some people seem to be very clear about how distinct the two visas are. Opa has to be frustrated by this- but at the same time- everybody seems to be confident that it is all going to work out just fine. 

Lastly- Opa writes to Mrs. Hanstein- shares the good news with her (which he rightfully assumes she already knows) and then begins asking questions about his next step. This sort of gets ahead of where he is by a whole year, but I think Opa has gotten wise about how much time it takes to work these matters out. He wants to go about continuing his education at a place like Kansas State, where he can continue on the engineering track. Opa realized that he wouldn't be getting as much college credit from his German arbitur that he hoped. The arbitur is about the equivalent of our Associates degree here in America- but done in High School- maybe it's more like taking very advance honors classes in High School that you get college credit for. The credits aren't transferring like Opa hoped. Isn't that always how it works out?! My special honors classes gave me far fewer college credits than were promised. So now Opa realizes he has about a year and a half left of school after this coming year and he's run out of engineering classes to take at McPherson. 

Poor guy- will he have to do this long process all over again in order to get into a school like Kansas State? Maybe it will be a little easier as a transfer from one American school to the other. Hopefully Mrs. Hanstein has some advice for him.

In the end though- there is hope for the future- hope for a visa- hope for another year on the free soil of America.

September 27, 1940: Slacker Ella

Letter from Ella to Opa

Translation:

Berlin Charlottenburg 4, 27^th of Sep. 1940

Droysenstrasse 14

My very beloved boy,

To my fright (Horror) I noticed that I have not written to you for 3 weeks. I don’t know how that was possible, but now I will write to my boy regularly every week. I just hope you will not punish me for this and continue to write regularly. Last week I heard from Patti again but I cannot reply because no mail goes from here to there. I don’t understand how Patti’s letter got here. I also heard from Emmy Stause, a friend of Patti’s. It is always a holiday Hunschen when mail from both of you arrives. The Shanghai situation cannot be settled as quickly as you think. I wrote to you as I recall, that I would send a cable, as soon as it is time. In the meantime Stiers have not left yet. Things are not going as smoothly as they thought. They gave up their flat and are living with me for 4 weeks already. Both are very considerate and attentive to me, but we do live in different worlds. You ask, where did I get the other money? I do not have it, but I can get a permit when the Stiers will be my guarantors, which means will be responsible for my living expenses. But for all that, they have to be there yet. And I don’t think I could bear it to be totally dependent on them. I don’t know if Papa can send me money to there. He absolutely does not let me hear from him. I don’t understand that, especially since Anchen and Hilda receive mail regularly. Aust has his job, he is healthy as well, and continues to live in his house. Even if he does not write to me, I could understand that, but that also both of you do not hear a word from him, is absolutely not understandable to me.  

Now back to another thing. When I do have an address send the money in a way, so you can have it sent back to you at any time, since everything does not appear so dependably to.

Thank you for the explanation about college and university. It has calmed me down, because now I know that your studies are secured for the next 2 years. Right now one cannot plan for now, for me only for 2 days. How happy I was to read the description of Patti’s birthday. I can see the two of them standing on the meadow in front of the burning candles, their whole life in front of them. They will work together to contribute their part for the good. And that you will always fight for Fairness, Truth, and Knowledge also and it comforts me. I wrote a few lines to the Shelley's, which will be sent alongside with your letter. How am I to send your letters now, not over Wichita? Do I have to show something else? This one will go just by airmail, North-America.

I am happy that your education is not one-sided, and I believe that the special education is very thorough. It is good for all fields to understand the connection with all other ones, which will give one an additional thorough insight. Too bad that your new room-mate is not quite the way you would like, perhaps he will develop, he must be much younger than Elmer.

I really liked the picture. By the way I had a photo made of me, but they turned out so badly, that the photographer won’t give them to me, but will make new ones. I just have to find the time to go back, which is not easy for me. Anchen is back already. She has recovered nicely, but I see her very seldom, only if I go to her between lessons. She never comes to see me, because in her free time she goes to see Heiner. I read your letters to her…. …… to telephone her.

Write soon and lots, my beloved boy.  

I kiss you much and with lots of love

Your Mama

Written in the side of the letter:

Should I travel to Jenny’s uncle with my students?

Can you stand in for your professor?

Write more about that.

Much luck with your “communication work”.

One can gain much valuable knowledge

Ella's slacking on the letter writing! This seems odd to me- very unlike her. I wonder if having the Stiers in her home makes her more distracted and busy - like she can't sit in quiet and write a letter with her sister and brother-in-law sitting there. I could see Ella not wanting to be rude and then realizing she hasn't found a time when they weren't there. The Stiers have been with her about a month now- they have invested everything into this Shanghai plan and it isn't going as smoothly as they hoped. I hate to sound pessimistic but this Shanghai plan never sounded all that solid to begin with. The current plan is that the Stiers will travel to Shanghai and establish some sort of residency- which will then allow them to be sponsors for Ella to come. This is similar to the longer plan that Opa has for his mother to hopefully come to him- but the fact is that even if he were able to secure an affidavit for her- she is still miserably far behind in the line to get a visa to travel to the US. Shanghai- as sketchy as it sounds- remains her only option at this point.

Ella wonders again why August doesn't write to her or to the kids- especially when it seems he is able to write to Annchen (his sister) and Hilda. I am just as dumbfounded. I just assumed that he had no communications with anybody. I could even understand him not writing to Ella (not kindly, but perhaps as protection for himself because she is Jewish). But not writing to his son in America seems really odd. Not writing to Patti might be a protective thing for Patti- so that she does not appear to be German, but instead blends in as French. Not writing to Opa is something I can't figure out. I don't really get it. I want to give August the benefit of the doubt and assume he has very valid reasons for not writing. As someone who was part of the news business- maybe he knows something we don't. August has lost his news job- but he still lives in his home. 

Ella seems to be happy with Opa's schooling- the fact that he gets to have varied courses that provide him a well-rounded education. Opa's freedom gives Ella so much hope. It's sweet to see how much faith she has in him.

The side note makes absolutely no sense so I can only imagine that it is code for something. What is she asking him? We know so much, and yet there are still so many names and riddles in these letters that we don't understand. 

September 20, 1940: Subject to Conscription

Article by Opa in The Spectator (McPherson college newspaper)

Transcription:

Henry Speaks for I.R.C.

by Thomas Doeppner

First Meeting Today

The International Relations Club will hold its first meeting of the year this afternoon at 4:00 in the Student Union Room, it was announced yesterday by its President, Thomas Doeppner. Every student and faculty member is invited. 

Dr. Desmond Bittinger, now faculty member, will show two moving pictures which were taken by himself during his missionary work in Africa. Dr. Bittinger will add valuable comments from time to time to make the pictures more interesting to the program. Commissions on personal spectators.

The World at Large 

By Edith Spengler

President Roosevelt's signature to the Burke-Wadsworth bill affects the lives of many millions of Americans. Many of the college men are subject to conscription. Representative Carlson sent a reply to an inquiry from President C.E. Rarick of the Fort Hays Kansas State College, stating that college students now enrolled will be exempt from conscription until July.

Heated discussions, pro and con, as to whether industry should be conscripted as well as man power, have been manifested in Congress...

Opa is the President of the local school chapter of the International Relations Club. I can't imagine being a leader of a group during a time like this. However, I am so proud of Opa for doing it- it is the perfect time to be discussing matters of international importance. I wonder how Opa felt about their first meeting being about a missionary trip to Africa. I wonder if he was a little disappointed that it wasn't a little more relevant to what was happening in Europe. 

When I read the news of conscription, my stomach lurched. I have never really thought about the possibility of my sons being drafted into the military. But for some reason in this context, it became believable, possible, and very frightening. 

September 13, 21, 1940: Everything's A-OK (I think)

Letter from Kathleen Hanstein to Opa

Transcription:

September 13, 1940

Mr. Thomas Doeppner

McPherson College

McPherson, Kansas

Dear Mr. Doeppner:

I have turned over your recent letter in regard to your visa problem to Mrs. Schauffler of our staff who specializes in these matters. She expects to have a conference with officials in Washington soon and she will discuss your situation among others in the hopes that we can get it straightened out. If she secures any advice for you we shall, of course, let you know immediately but in the meantime there does not seem to be anything for you to do.

I was glad to know that all other problems in connection with your continuing in college have been worked out satisfactorily and I hope that you will have another good year at McPherson.

Sincerely yours,

(Mrs.) Kathleen Hambly Hanstein

Associate Counsellor

Everything's going to be A-OK. That's the feeling I got from these letters. Mrs. Hanstein tells Opa that they have a special person on the job who will discuss his issue with the right folks in DC. She then is very casual and congratulatory on his next school year at McPherson, showing no concern that he might not be able to do it.

Everyone seems fine, so I'm assuming we're fine. We're allllll fine. I think.