Ed. Note--The Crimson does note necessarily endorse opinions expressed in printed communications. No attention will be paid to anonymous letters and only under special conditions, at the request of the writer, will names be withheld. Only letters under 400 words can be printed because of space limitations.

To the Editor of the Crimson:

I have recently learned o the preparations being made by students as Harvard and elsewhere for a nation-wide "anti-war strike." As a Harvard graduate, I should like the use of some of your space to comment upon this matter.

War is one of the effects of the capitalist system. As long as capitalism lasts, war will constantly threaten. Whether students or any other group are for or against war makes little difference. Wars come irrespective of the wishes of those who must fight them. The basic cause of war today is the world-wide search for markets for the goods turned out by industry. He who would eliminate war must bend his energies to eliminating that which causes war. And so long as goods are produced for sale, there will be capitalists, who, whether they like it or not, must expand or lose out in the battle of competition.

Although I wish to indicate the futility of "anti-war strikes," I yet can appreciate the spirit which has led the students to show, by striking, their opposition to war. However, spirit is not sufficient. There were thousands of young men and women previous to the World War who were firmly "opposed" to war. Yet, the War came, Unless the cause of war is removed, wars will recur just as certainly as disease when the cause of the disease is not removed.

War will be an ever more imminent possibility as long as capitalism lasts--a social order which, like the systems of fendalism and chattel slavery which preceded it, has outlived its usefulness to the majority of those who live under it. It therefore behooves this majority to organize both politically and industrially for the purpose of eliminating the old system and building the new. It is to this task that the students of today must turn themselves if it is their desire to do away with war, crime, unemployment, poverty, class conflict, politicians, and the other evil effects of a disintegrating order of society.

Yours in the interest of revolutionary socialism. Joseph C. Borden. Jr. '31