To the Editor of the CRIMSON:

One of the most frequent comments that one hears concerning the present war is the cliche that 'while we must give England all possible help short of war, if we permit ourselves to be drawn in we shall sacrifice forever the very democracy for which we shall be fighting.' By constant repetition this idea has acquired the force of a truism in many people's minds. However, these are times when it is well to subject even the most obvious assumptions to close scrutiny.

Of course one can make no absolutely certain predictions for the future, and yet there are three questions that one must ask oneself: First; did the United States lose its democratic way of life after the last war? Obviously not. Of course, in wartime a country must deny itself certain democratic rights, and this deprivation is accepted by a patriotic nation in the same spirit of sacrifice as the rationing of food and fuel. It is an evil that is only temporary. Men have argued that a war may be followed by a period of political intolerance such as followed the Napoleonic wars in England, or the World War in this country. But this period lasts only still the hatred and fear engendered by the war wears off, and in a society well trained in the democratic way of life is a readjustment that is soon over. The experience of the United States, the British Empire, France and Belgium after the last war shows that if a nation in which the democratic way of life is really firmly planted passes through a war victoriously its ideals can stand any test the war may put them to.

Second; how is democracy today surviving under fire in England and the Empire? The answer is, admirably. Not only is personal liberty interfered with less than in many neutral nations, but a new spirit of solidarity and unselfishness has arisen that is inspiring to behold. The structure of old England is being shot away, but the first parts to go are the old snobbery and caste consciousness, and there is very hope that England will emerge from this fight, as from the last, more truly democratic than ever before.

Finally, what are the chances of democracy's survival in this country if England falls? The answer is, terrifyingly few. Our democracy could stand a few years of sharp fighting, but how long could it survive standing on the defensive indefinitely, with no hope of relief, constantly putting out fires that Nazi sparks have lit in South America, or our own fifth columnists at home? How long would the rights of capital or labor survive the strain upon our economic system?

In short, there are dangers in any course we take, but one thing seems sure: if democracy falls it will not be because the United States has fought by England's side, but because England herself has fallen. On the other hand, if England wins, then we shall have our chance--and our last chance--to build from the ruins of the old world a new society that will be more democratic and peaceful than any this earth has soon. It will be difficult, perhaps impossible, yet the chance seems worth striving for if we are to be worthy of it. Brooks Wright '43.