WHO WILL SHOOT FIRST?

The special article written by Professor Hart in today's issue gives a concise statement of our present international predicament. Although concerted action on the part of the President and Congress during the last month might have placed the country in a less paralyzed, less ridiculous situation, our immediate helplessness is obviously due to inadequate and antiquated legislative rulings and to the unbelievable characteristics of a few of our legislators. The events of last Saturday and Sunday in the Senate should serve as a vivid object lesson to young men who are just leaving college. Everyone deplores the actions of our political representatives. Older men who are settled in business or some profession feel that it is impossible for them to make a sudden change and turn to politics. It is for the young men who have such decisions before them to feel a personal responsibility for the errors and absurdities committed in our legislative chambers and to resolve to correct conditions as now exist by entering politics themselves. If the recent bungling merely provokes criticism by our college men, the future promises no better government for the nation. Our history and government courses have done no good, if they have not convinced us that we must take an active interest in public affairs, or our political system will degenerate. To the wide awake man a new incentive for entering this field occurs every day. Harvard undergraduates should not allow themselves to pass over the urgent political call of their country.

Sooner or later a state of armed neutrality will be adopted by the United States. This means that war will be decided by the one who shoots first. These simple facts mean one thing, concentrated and persevering study in the lessons of preparedness.