(The Crimson invites all men in the University to submit signed communications of timely interest. It assumes no responsibility, however, for sentiments expressed under this head and reserves the right to exclude any whose publication would be palpably inappropriate.)

To the Editors of the CRIMSON:

I should like to call the attention of members of the University to certain facts in regard to the continuance of German propaganda in this country. During actual hostilities most of us were keenly alive to the menace of German agents in America, but now that the armistice has been signed and the Imperial Government overthrown, we are prone to think that Boche propaganda is a thing of the past--which is not true by any means.

Germany has much to gain by softening the hearts of the people of the United States; she has much to gain by sowing discord among the Associated Powers. Her system of agents and propagandists--with the exception of a certain number who have been taken into custody during the war is as complete as ever; the controlling force is acting under a new name, but that is almost the-only-difference. No effort and no outlay of money is being spared to mould opinion in America to a favorable view of Germany's plight. Nothing is overlooked that might create a breach between Allied troops and the Armies of the United States. It is in these phases of present German activity that the University must take more of an interest than it has manifested up to the present time. If one will but take the trouble to examine the situation, it will be seen that we have a very real menace and one that cannot be lightly regarded.

Reports are beginning to reach this country of ill-feeling and disturbances between French and American soldiers and between British and Americans. Certain newspapers--not necessarily intentionally--distort the actual facts, magnify trivial incidents and in general do a great deal to spread the seeds of discord that the Boche have taken such pains to sow. Headlines such as the following may be seen almost daily in the news-papers: "British Even More Bitter Against Americans Than French"; "Charm of La Belle France a Myth"; "French Glad to See Last of Americans"; "Dislike on All Sides in England"; "Doughboys Receive Fair Treatment From Germans"; "American Troops Enjoy German Hospitality"; and son on. Anyone who takes the trouble to read this communication may quite naturally ask "What has all this to do with me? I realize that these statements are untrue and I pay no attention to them." Quite true; but the majority of people who read this rot do not class it as propaganda. Jealous of the comfort of our troops, they become incensed at the thought of unfair treatment by any persons or nations--and so the entering wedge of discord is inserted.

Colleges, especially at the present time, must take an interest--an active interest--in vital questions. It is no longer enough for undergraduates to put the stamp of their disapproval upon a suggestion; active measures to combat it and to influence opinion are not only expected but demanded. In our undergraduate days, few, if any, of us ever realized that the opinion of Harvard College counted for anything, either in the world at large or in the United States. Due to the war and the moving about of men in service we gradually found out that not only was the opinion of the College occasionally listened to in the United States, but even abroad it was taken into consideration as representative of one phase of the best opinion in America. Naturally I am not suggesting that Harvard undergraduates can have any great effect upon important national decisions, but I do most seriously suggest that the opinion of Harvard College does count--and however small its influence may be, it should not be withheld, especially with conditions as they are now. "Politics are for the politicians," said a certain Harvard professor some years ago. That day has passed. If the thinking people, the educated people, the people with the courage to stand up for their convictions and the energy and ability to disseminate their ideas, do not take an active interest in the affairs of the day. Bolshevism will be the least of our troubles! And in order that, as Harvard Graduates, the members of the College may contribute something really worth while to the opinion of the nation, they must begin their activity during their careers as undergraduates.

One word more on the original subject of this communication. How can we truly feel sorry for a nation which, after signing the armistice, declares. "If the Allied peace terms force us too far, we can be avenged within a year by means of Bolshevism."?  E. A. WHITNEY '17