War Increases Importance Of Athletics, Says Harlow

"The fighting spirit and the ability to do things, which is built up through playing football and other like games, is of the greatest importance in fighting the war," stated Dick Harlow after a showing of last year's Harvard-Navy football pictures last night in Sanders Theatre before members of the Navy stationed in the Yard.

"Athletics, therefore, must be pursued in spite of the war," said Harlow, "if we are going to win it. The softness of our country was greately increased by the wave of pacifism after the last war. Games which aroused anger were discouraged, for the world was supposed to live by love."

War No Place for Softies

Harlow, who was "amazed at this foolishly hopeful attitude of supposedly intelligent men," pointed out that America grew too soft, and that this fact has been illustrated by our defeats in the war so far. "Men who are unable to play upon the athletic field will surely be unable to fight on the field of battle."

We must be able to take it according to Harlow, for until now we have always gone into wars as the underdog. Yet, we have won because of our ability to stand up under punishment. "American youth is just as good as it ever was," said Harlow. "They can fight as well as anybody else and they will not let us down if they are properly trained."

Rome Destroyed by Luxury

Harlow pointed out that Rome, one of history's many examples of civilizations which have been undermined by soft and luxurious living, was destroyed by the Huns who were completely lacking in culture. "It is this softness which athletics can help our nation to ward off," he said.

"An illustration of the part athletes are playing in the war at present," asserted Harlow, "is Harvard's 1937 football team." All members of this team who received letters are now in some branch of the service, according to the Crimson coach.