American Student Union Rejects H.S.U. Plan to Condemn Russia

Defeat by the balloting of the American Student Union of the Harvard Student Union referendum to denounce Russia for its action in Finland was admitted last night by Alan S. Gottlieb '40, president of the H.S.U.

When the proposal was presented to the members of the H.S.U., citing as reason for condemnation the fact that the invasion was a "clearly unjustifiable act," the members approved by a vote of 115 to 65. The American Student Union objected to the referendum to the tune of 2101 votes against the H.S.U.'s action and only 943 in favor of it.

New England in Favor

While a large number of chapters did not vote in the controversy, the ballot represents a cross-section of Student Union opinion throughout the country, with only the New England States in agreement with Harvard about the need for condemnation. Student Union leaders at Harvard regret that Harvard finds itself thus in the minority in such a controversy, but caution about "crying out against the Student Union before considering the facts."

The Student Union statement says, "The lack of a condemnation of the Soviet Union in no way implies approval of its action in Finland. Most important of the points was a fear of moral condemnation that might obscure the practical program of no aid to belligerents' beyond the strict confines of cash and carry. We will not abandon the A.S.U. because of this split because we have enjoyed together a year of successful work and considerable growth."

The officers of the H.S.U. do not feel that its position in the A.S.U. has been weakened at all, because the vote was democratic on a problem of great interest. In the vote at New York, the H.S.U. more firmly made clear their position on the condemnation referendum.