November 23, 1934, Pages 1, 3
Dr. Neumann and Reverend Spofford
Stress Need for Fight Against War
Say Those Opposing Fascism
Should Be Supported
By All Students
Dr. Henry Neumann of the
Brooklyn Ethical Culture Society and Reverend Dr. William B. Spofford
were the speakers at the Anti-War chapel Wednesday. Beatrice Gumberg,
chairman of the Anti-War League, presided. Miss Gomberg gave a resume
of the facts concerning the expulsion of twenty-one C.C.N.Y. students.
She was about to read two resolutions of protest when Dean Adele
Bildersee denied that privilege on grounds of unconstitutionality of
such a movement in an open assembly. The Dean said that it is necessary
to study this question from all angles and then pass on resolutions in
individual clubs, but not en masse.
To the questions
asked during open forum on the relationship between opposing war and
the C.C.N.Y. situation, Rev. Dr. Spofford replied that students who
tight Fascism should be supported by all other students. To the
question, "What can students do to show their interest?" he suggested
membership in the League Against War and Fascism.
To this last
question Dr. Neumann answered that "we still have democracy; we are
still free to voice our protests." He added that he would like to join
a league which. has not been organized as yet, namely a League Against
War, Fascism, and Violent Revolution.
Dr. Neumann said in
his address that the most important and most encouraging news is the
fact that Russia, "who was most contemptuous of the League of Nations,
is now a member." Some may attribute a selfish motive to her move, he
continued, but we can believe that "These hardheaded, realistic
Russians" may genuinely desire peace in order to alleviate the former
harshness and frugality of their citizenry.
"Russia's record
for peace stands up as admirably as that of any other country," Dr.
Neumann said. Russia has completed treaties of peace with many
countries. "You students have a vital interest in stopping the next
war, so study and be true, thoroughly loyal to the light you see," he
continued.
Miss Gomberg
announced that Dr. Treadwell Smith, who was, scheduled to speak, sent
in his place the Reverend William. Spofford, secretary of the Church
League for Industrial Democracy and editor of The Witness, an
Episcopal church paper. Reverend Spofford said that "the right of an
individual to a full life is being denied today:" Students not only
want culture but the right and opportunity to earn a living. Why should
millions be starving when "warehouses bursting with goods are on hand?"
he asked. Why should the government spend money to clear the Newport
Coast for the rich to play, and on the other hand, reduce the fund
which could alleviate the misery and want of thousands of workers, he
asked.
War not be
discussed without an economic background and study, he continued. "What
is this Fascism that is appearing just around the corner?" the Reverend
asked. "Capitalism gone nudist,"say those who see in Fascism the means
of destroying those civil liberties assured by the Constitution of the.
United States. Fascism definitely supports the "economy of scarcity"
theory in order to maintain the profit system. Fascism seeks to obtain
world markets as a means of getting rid of surplus goods. This is one
of the main causes of war.
"Only as you remove
the profit system" can you get rid of the economic causes of war and
thus war itself. It you do not want war, fight Fascism! "I am in favor
of the American League Against War and Fascism."
(Continued from page 1, col. 5)
"Right of an individual to a full life is being denied today." Students
not only want culture but the right and opportunity to earn a living.
Why should millions be starving when "warehouses bursting with goods on
hand?" he asked. Why should the government spend money to clear the the
Newport coast for the rich to play, and on the other hand. reduce the
fund which could alleviate the misery and want of thousands of workers,
he asked.
War cannot be discussed without an economic background and
study, he continued. "What is this Fascism that is appearing around the
corner?" the Reverend asked. "Capitalism gone nudist," say those who
see in Fascism the means of destroying those civil liberties assured by
the Constitution of the United States. Fascism definitely supports the
"economy of scarcity"
in order to maintain the profit system. Fascism seeks to obtain world
markets as a means of getting rid of surplus goods This is one of the
main causes of war.
"Only as you remove the profit system" can you get rid of the
economic causes of war and thus war itself. If you do not want war,
fight Fascism! "I am in favor of the American League Against War and
Fascism."
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