A victory for Professor Ernst Cohn, whose lectures at the University of Breslau were ordered curtailed by the University Senate, is seen in an official communique issued this afternoon following a conference between Minister of Education Kaehler, Rector Brockelman and a representative of the University Senate.
The communique declares: “The anti-Cohn statement was not intended as an encroachment upon the Ministry’s domain. It was also not intended as a reprimand of Cohn. It merely established that the Senate following Cohn’s reply with regard to Trotsky, cannot continue to carry responsibility for his safety. A consultation shortly, with the entire professorial collegium will clear up the matter,” the communique concludes.
It is expected that a large majority of the faculty will vote for the continuation of Professor Cohn as a member of the faculty of Breslau University.
tion in the Prussian Diet submitted an interpellation yesterday against the Nazi disturbers of the peace in Breslau, the purpose of which was to ensure the continuation of Professor Ernst Cohn as a member of the faculty of Breslau University.
The interpellation expressed objection to the declaration issued by the Senate of the University of Breslau, stating that Professor Cohn’s lectures could no longer be tolerated at the University because of his lack of political reticence.
At the same time it is learned that Minister of Education Kaehler will confer today with Rector Brockelman of Breslau University and a member of the University Senate, for the purpose of discussing the Cohn matter.
It is expected that the Senate will modify its declaration against Cohn, in view of the criticism which it has aroused abroad, and will enable him to continue his lectures.
Professor Cohn, who is twenty-eight years old, is one of Germany’s leading authorities on Commercial Law. He has been the target of continuous attack since his appointment to the Law Faculty at Breslau University, and the attacks on him have led to the closing of Breslau University.
The campaign against the Jewish professor entered upon a new stage when the Rector and the University Senate joined in opposing the continuation of his lectures, because he had replied to a newspaper questionaire sent to a large group, asking whether or not he believed Leon Trotsky, the exiled Soviet leader, should receive asylum in Germany. Professor Cohn was attacked as a Trotskyist when he replied that intellectual workers always deserved to be given protection so long as they avoided engaging in agitation.
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