Similar discussion have started over the Japanese peace treaty, the British disputes with Iran and Egypt, and the Indian-Pakistan problem. Since there are representatives from 15 countries at Fletcher, nations are often defended and criticized by citizens of the particular country.
One woman, sitting next to the coke machine in the lounge, was filling in a scholarship application. To her, as to almost all the students at Fletcher, this is an important topic.
A large source of aid is the Institute of International Education, which offers scholarships. The G.I. bill, which has been a great help in the past, is terminating. But many students who are either officers or trainees are sponsored by their embassies. Furthermore, Fletcher awards three scholarships to women, one to men, and several fellowships each year.
Well-Stocked Library
A Belgian, who is sponsored by The Belgian-American Foundation, is writing a Ph.D. thesis on treaties in the United Nations. He finds an up up-to-date collection of U.N. documents in the Edwin Ginn Library, situated in the basement of Gordon Hall. The collection of 50,000 volumes and pamphlets, including League of Nations publications and Pan-American Union information, was obtained from the World Peace Foundation.
Another part of the library holds the George Grafton Wilson collection on international law, treaty series, and documents on international relations. Wilson, who was professor of International Law at Harvard, taught at Fletcher from its founding until his retirement in 1945, when he gave his personal library to the school.
Fletcher Family
"I call the students 'the Fletcher family'," says Stewart, who marvels at their intimate school spirit. This spirit does not take the form of organized activity, however. Rather, the spirit lies in each student's enthusiasm and respect for everyone's ideas and opinions.
As one girl put it, "we carry a double-edged sword; one edge is sharp, the other dull." When asked if he thought that the smattering of nationalities represented at the school was a good idea, one student answered, "Yes, except the smattering could be a little thinner in some places."
Native social customs, which are observed at Fletcher, add to the color of life in Wilson House. All the Japanese, for instance, pay particular respects and courtesy to one of their countrymen because he is a cousin of the Emperor.
One of the most interesting phenomenons occurs when the students hold their rare but raucous parties. Several one-man committees are elected to supervise the entertainment. Almost all the students turn out and even the faculty is invited.
Flowing Brew
On one occasion last spring, the students purged the memory of long working hours and expressed their native sentiments. As the beer was flowing, a Swiss boy jumped on top of a piano waving the French flag and singing the Marseillaise. The brawls that follow such festivities often bring the police to the scene. Yet there have never been any personal fights.
The Wilson House dining hall is the center of relaxation. All the students who live on campus (about 40), including the women, chat over "real home-cooked" food. Last week at lunch, every-joined in on a chorus of "For he's a jolly good fellow" to congratulate a Pakistani on being a father of a baby boy, born 11,000 miles away. Birthdays also demand a big celebration with cake and all the fixings.
Some students have been doing interesting work outside of their studies. A Tokyo journalist has been writing her autobiography, "A Daughter of the Pacific", and plans to have it published soon. An Indonesian man is working in the National Students Association and also teaches his language to two Ph.D. students at Harvard.
"In future years," Steward notes "these young men and women who are now friends and fellow students will meet across the diplomatic table as spokesmen for their nations. When that time comes, we can be sure that their negociations with one another will be conducted with friendliness and understanding."
Fletcher graduates are now occupying positions of top responsibility. More than 100 are now serving in the State Department and other government agencies in Washington. Out of last year's class, 17 entered government departments, four received Foreign Service assignments, seven accepted teaching poets, 12 applied for graduate work, 16 continued, and seven went into business.
Last year, five Fletcher graduates performed a very useful function for the School. When six Japanese foreign officers applied for admission, Stewart was able to set up the five Fletcher graduates in the U.S. Embassy at Japan as an admissions committee. The two officers who were chosen expressed "surprise that it is virtually Fletcher, not the United States, which is negotiating with Japan."