THE LANGUAGE OF A MINORITY: A SOLUTION [To the Editor
of the SPECTATOR.] SIR,—The recent Minorities Congress at Geneva was the occasion of a friendly discussion of the minorities problem which, it may be hoped, will bear fruit in due season. Mean- while, it is pleasant to record an instance in which the Govern- ment of a new State created by the Treaty of Versailles has actually solved this problem to the satisfaction of the minority concerned and to the benefit of the State as a whole.
The Government of Estonia has recently issued an ordinance in virtue of which the schools established by the German minority for the education of their children in the German tongue and tradition may contract out of the general educa- tional system of the country and place themselves under the control of a body set up (with the permission of the Estonian State) for the protection of the racial interests of the German element, the so-called "Deutsche Kufturelle Selbstver- waltung." In order to enable the German schools to enter on the new scholastic year with a uniform curriculum Sep- tember 1st was chosen by the Estonian authorities as the date for the transference of the minority schools to the new authority. At the same time the education authority at Revel deereed that in future parents desiring to send their Children to non-Estonian secondary schools need only make one initial -application for permission to do so, instead of; as hitherto, a fresh application - the beginning of each school year. - The spirit of accommodation shown by the Estonian Government both in the substance of its measures and in • the manlier- of their-exeoutimi is greatly appreciated by the - minority and deserves the grateful recognition of all who understand the difficulties and dangers presented by the Minority problem. Is it too much to hope that other Govern- ments faced with kindred problems will see their way to follow the Estonian example ?—I am, Sir, &c., C. E. ELLINGTON WRIGHT.
Hetnpstead House, Sevenoaks, Kent.
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