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March 2, 1934, Pages 1, 3

SUPPORT MOVEMENT
FOR ANTI-WAR WEEK

Faculty Encourages Protest
Of Social Science Students;
   Call Strike For April


          The Social Science Club held its second consecutive Anti-War meeting on Wednesday in preparation for the National Student Anti-War Week starting April 6.

          Joseph Cohen, a student of Brooklyn College, who attended the Connecticut Valley Anti-War Conference at Northhampton last week, told of the success in arousing students of Harvard, Yale, Smith, Wellesley and other colleges in New England to an awareness of the danger of war. He pointed out that the National Civic Federation under the leadership of Ralph Easley, a member of the Friends of New Germany, a Nazi organization, had printed stories about Communist propaganda in the colleges in the Hearst newpapers in order to propagandize for national defense.

          He reminded students that unless they actively protest against war the government will appropriate more funds for the R.O.T.C. Mr. Cohen concluded by saying, "Students can not maintain a neutral position in this vital issue."

          Three members of the faculty addressed the students. Dr. Frederick Ewen of the English department urged the students to fight against war and Fascism which, he said, are virtually the same. He expressed his regret that members of the faculty are forced to say one thing and mean another. The right attitude in fighting war is assumed by the students, he said, and the battle is well worth fighting.

          Dr. Howard Selsam of the Philosophy department discussed the part played by the munition manufacturers in war. "War," he said, "does not just occur. It is planted years in advance. The munition companies, reaping great profits in war time foment war."

          He expounded on the ideas arising with the increase in armaments and made it clear that although every war is fought for economic reasons, a set of ideals must fill the minds of the people to enable them to fight. The idealists are extremely important and must be reckoned with.

          Mr. Bernard D. N. Grebanier made an impromptu speech touching on the feminine contributions to war. He cited instances of the women's part in the last war on the influence of the Daughters of the American Revolution. "Propaganda," he said, "is being prepared in a thousand subtle ways without our realizing it." He told an anecdote about a certain English gentleman who spoke at Teacher's College of Columbia University, extolling the virtues of the Hitler regime and meeting no opposition there, The answer to the query "Didn't anyone refute him?" was, "They were a lot of school teachers, what do you expect?"

          Theodore Draper put the question "What about the faculty?" and suggested that they be asked to take a clear stand on the Anti-War movement. "Private sympathy is not enough."

          The Student section of the American League against War and Fascism, is calling a strike on Friday, April 13 from 11 to 12 to protest against armament.



 

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May 20, 2004