Business Better Than Usual

The N.S.W. Aid Russia Committee sends us a copy of a cable received on June 19 from Professor I. Zvavich, Professor of History, University of Moscow. Full text of the cable is printed below. It tells how students of Moscow University, far from shrinking from military duties because they might interfere with their studies, have taken the obvious course of combining both activities and working especially hard at their studies to keep them at normal pitch.

"Perhaps it is because twenty-two years ago I was overcome by profound emotion as I entered the auditorium of Moscow University as a student," stated the professor. "Perhaps it is because fourteen years ago I was no less agitated when I delivered my first lecture within the walls of Moscow University, perhaps it is because during the first months of the present war I, together with other professors and instructors, was an air raid warden and, roused by evidence of Nazi barbarity, extinguished my first incendiary bomb, dropped by a German aeroplane on the campus, that I am so deeply interested in all that is going on in Moscow University.

"I am happy to report that despite Hitler's intentions, Moscow University is working in Moscow, and engaged in fruitful and varied activity. Since the present war against Hitler Germany began, Moscow University has expanded.

"The law Department, which existed as an independent institute, is now back in the fold of Alma Mater. A philosophy department has been incorporated in the University and the history department has been enlarged to include philology. The University is humming with activity.

"This is pre-examination season. In conversation with me, Professor Boris Orlov, rector of the University, expressed confidence that at this year's examinations students would make as good a showing as in previous years.

"This has been a hard year for students. Lectures have been occasionally interrupted. Students have combined study with guarding buildings, military training and work in industry. But they have displayed marvellous enthusiasm. They have taken books along with them to study during hours off duty, and the results of practical work this year have been more satisfactory than in previous years.

Academic Standards Maintained.

"'I have been requested by students,' the rector said, smiling, 'not to [unclear: allow] extenuating circumstances in connection with the war to affect examination results. The country needs highly qualified experts now more than at any other time, and there is no reason why requirements should be lowered. That's what the students are saying.'

Extra-Curricula Lectures.

"The Students' Bureau asked me to deliver lectures in the University Hall. Lectures delivered in the public hall are not part of the curriculum, but deal with general subjects. These lectures are very popular with the people of Moscow and with the students themselves.

"Among lectures scheduled for the next few weeks are some on philosophy and literature. Professor Huber will speak on 'War in the Indian Ocean,' Professor [unclear: Ermolyaey] on 'Tanks in Modern Warfare.' These lectures are given daily, and are attended by hundreds of people.

Students in the Army.

"The Students' Bureau maintains contact with students now fighting in the ranks of the Red Army. Those who have been wounded and are being treated in the Moscow hospitals are regularly visited by comrades and friends. Meetings are arranged in the hospitals between professors, instructors, and wounded students.

"The professorial bodies assume patronage over military units, arrange lectures for them, send them books, tobacco, sweets. The presents are for both men and commanders. The Students' Bureau also keeps in touch with the families of wounded students.

Text-Books.

"The publishing house which handles works issued by the Moscow University recently held a conference at which plans for the publication of scientific books, within the next few months, were discussed.

"The publication of text-books has been put on a par with the publication of defence literature.

In the auditoriums and rector's office, in the Students' Bureau and in the University Press, everywhere, there is a spirit of cheerful activity.

"'[unclear: I] our Moscow University,' says the rector, business is as usual. For that matter, business is better than usual. That is a more correct way of putting it.'"