(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 Editor of the CRIMSON:

In regard to the recent debate upon Pacifism and the abolition of the University R. O. T. C. I wish to present a new angle. It has been said that Preparedness is not a good means of maintaining peace. In refutation of this I would indicate the hundreds of years of peace enjoyed by Switzerland. This nation, also a republic, with no less than three races composing her population, has, by means of her citizen soldiery, kept her borders inviolate for centuries. In that country the young men serve a certain term in the army and take vast pride in doing so. They become splendid soldiers and are among the best shots in the world. Numerous manoeuvres keep them at a high rate of efficiency. Yet who can say that Switzerland is militaristic? In the recent war it is well known that the German Emperor long contemplated an invasion of France through Switzerland. It was in every way a better road of attack, for it would enable his army corps to enter the heart of France in a region undefended by forts. But there was one thing that stayed him. He knew that to pass though Switzerland would cost him hundreds of thousands of lives and months of delay, if he ever got through at all. Switzerland was prepared. Now on the other hand what would have happened if a lot of sincere, but none the less dangerous, pacifists, had refused to be mobilized in their country's defense? FRANCIS VAN W. MASON '24.