ALTRUISM ON THE AIR

In the radio speech reprinted elsewhere in this issue of the CRIMSON Professor Holcombe reiterates the view which he has expressed before on the crisis in the Far East. He contends that if war is to be prevented and the future good of the World preserved we must join with the other nations in some definite action against this country gone berserk. The method which he advises is an economic boycott of Japan. If this fails, he does not shrink from advocating actual force.

His arguments to uphold his view cannot be denied. If Japan gains the dominant position in China which she appears to be seeking, there is no doubt that this territory will be a permanent source of ill-feeling. Due to Japan's dependence on foreign trade for her livelihood there is small probability that a World economic boycott would fail. If it did, the use of armed force would be effective without any question.

But sound as his points are from a theoretical and probably from an ethical point of view they are spoken without taking into account the welfare of this country at the present time. We stand in a most advantageous position through having refrained from joining the League. We did this from fear of just such a contingency as has new arisen. With conditions as they now are here and abroad an economic boycott is of course not especially welcome. However, Japan has broken the Covenant of the League and if that body is to keep any authority at all it is bound to enforcement. Our position frees us from this duty. That this country should from sheer altruism jeopardize its financial recovery and perhaps undo the good that has come from the recent economic measures passed by Congress is most questionable.