Moscow Dispatch

(Ed. Note--The Crimson does not necessarily endorse opinions expressed in printed communications. No attention will be paid to anonymous letters and only under special conditions, at the request of the writer will names be withheld.)

To the Editor of the CRIMSON:

After the Liberal Club's recent decision to affiliate with the National Student League those members who were displeased with the action began a sort of aimless agitation with no clear purpose except to express their own indignation. This is quite natural. Letters with all sorts of fearful forebodings have been printed in the CRIMSON and dark hints expressed that the Liberal, Club is controlled by a group of emissaries from the Communistic Party, if not indeed directly from the Kremlin.

Of course it is obvious that the decision to join the League was the result of a Liberal Club policy that one of the letter-writers has characterized as "enlightened aloofness." He seems to take a sort of pride in that policy.

It is interesting to note that no real criticism has been made nor have any positive suggestions been offered by those in opposition to the Liberal Club policy for next year. They seem forced to confine their attack to a criticism of Communism. If the Liberal Club's new policy of creating study and research groups, publishing a magazine, organizing field trips to scenes of industrial conflict, having not only liberal but also radical and conservative speakers, etc., is Communistic, then we think there are a lot of Communists in Harvard. At least that is the only way we can explain the great interest in the Club since the new policy was proposed.

But perhaps the most interesting activity of the "moderates" has been the charge that the Liberal Club endowment was to be used for illegal purposes and should therefore be taken from the Liberal Club and donated, presumably; to the "moderates" on a pro rata basis. When one of their members asked a trustee whether he would permit the Liberal Club to use its own money, the answer was that requests for money will be considered when received. The Club is perfectly satisfied with that arrangement. But perhaps even the trustees of the Club's funds have gone Communist? At any rate the money is still there and will be used next year, as in the past, for expenses incurred by the Club in its activities.

I should never have thought it worth while to write an explanation except in reply to no less than four almost identical attacks. Why are these people crying before they are hurt? Can it be that they, and not the "Communists," are the real publicity seekers? At any rate the Liberal Club calls on all interested to join with it in carrying out a vigorous and effective program of activities for the coming year. And for the best interests of the Club, I think the "Moderates" could extend their open-mindedness to cover the activities of the "Communists" now in control. Herbert E. Robbins '35.

(Ed. Note: Mr. Robbins' letter closes the discussion of the Liberal Club's change of policy. Due to lack of space, the CRIMSON will be unable to publish any further communication on this phase of the subject.)