To the Editor of the CRIMSON:

In adopting a resolution proclaiming unreservedly "a repetition of the council of Paris will not be tolerated" and "there must be an end of war", it is highly problematical whether the colleges would be performing a service.

On first thought the idea seems an excellent one, for naturally enough everyone wishes to escape that clinging parasite which has, from time immemomial, sucked the blood of man. But, upon reflecting, it can readily be seen that the resolution would tend to hinder our diplomats rather than to aid them.

The resolution manifestly implies that the United States should offer to decrease its araments or at least to limit them. It would be suicide to take such a step before the many baffling and perhaps insoluble problems which confront the Conference are satisfactorily settled. It is necessary to clear away misunderstandings, to change traditions centuries old, and to suppress the greed and lust of nations before any steps can be taken to effectively end war. The Open Door in China, the desire of militaristic and war-made Japan for expansion, and finally the innate craving for ascendency which exists in us individually and collectively; all of these must first be reckoned with. The foundation of perpetual peace must be laved securely before the rest of the edifice can be erected. Eternal peace is a tremendous undertaking, it requires an inconceivable amount of work and time.

The Conference of November 11 will settle a few perplexing questions, but it is exceedingly doubtful whether a common understanding will be reached on which the nations can build. We cannot afford to reduce armament and place ourselves in an insecure position until definite assurance is given of a change for the better in other nations. The Washington Conference may very likely be a repetition of that of Versailles. We cannot afford to tell our delegates to throw away the weapons of the United States until the other nations make obvious by their actions that a common ground has been reached from which the world can progress. Then, and not until then, will the scorching beast which has scalded so much of this fair earth be killed. ALFRED H. KING '24.  October 16, 1921.