PROFESSOR PAGENSTECHER
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] R.—Those who are grateful for the skill of Professor fermann Pagenstecher, of Wiesbaden, will be glad to know hat he is in good health, but sorry to learn that he is one f the many innocent sufferers through our Government ming seized the property in this country of Germans, and min their Government (which agreed under the Versailles reaty to compensate their nationals) not being in a position (I give them adequate compensation. At present only about -I Per cent. of the amount of the claims is being paid. Even if the Blanesburgh Committee, whose good offices were Primarily for the benefit of Germans who had resided in Agland, could have helped, the time for this has expired. t may not be easy to apportion between the two Govern- eats the iesponsibility fOr the wide-spread misfortune which they have caused, one striking instance of which is the ease of this famous oculist whose property in Germany had almost vanished with the collapse of the mark, and who Was counting on his old age being cased by a little property he Possessed elsewhere. He now finds that he has been deprived of 971 per cent. of it because it was invested in a country of 'hich many of its citizens, several of its statesmen, and its
Queen (Victoria) had greatly benefited by his skill. He writes, " One must not hang one's head but quietly work on," This, though 82, he still does, and still operates. He tells how recently he has restored the sight of a man of 78, adding, " It is always a satisfaction if in one's old age one can still be of use to one's fellow-men."
If any of his former patients, or their relatives, should desire to join in a tribute of gratitude and sympathy to the aged Professor, will they send any contribution to Lady Courtney of Penwith, at 15 Cheyne Walk, Chelsea, or to me ? —I am, Sir, &c.,
[We publish this letter because it is true that many British people have feelings of gratitude and admiration for Professor Pagenstecher, but it must not be thought that we endorse any strictures upon His Majesty's Government or Lord Blanesburgh's Committee, which may be expressed or implied by Mr. Hodgkin.—ED. Spectator.]
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