Nuclear proliferation is "the one crisis that overshadows everything," Howard Morland, a journalist and anti-nuclear activist, said yesterday.

Morland advocated widespread education of the public on the subject of nuclear arms and unilateral disarmament. "Just because deterrents have worked for thirty years doesn't mean they'll work for thirty more." Morland said.

Morland outlined two steps for ameliorating the nuclear arms problem. First, people have to be educated about nuclear arms so that they will bring pressure on the government to limit arms build-up.

Second, the United States has to take the initiative in arms reduction. "The bilateral phase should come after," he said. He repeatedly stressed the danger of over-armament, which hinders deterrance by encouraging a first-strike mentality on both sides.

Morland first achieved national attention in 1979 when the Government prevented publication of his article on the manufacture of the hydrogen bomb. Morland, having obtained the information through non-classified channels, said that his purpose was to illustrate that secrecy only hinders public awareness of the issues.

Morland's speech was part of a Kennedy School study group entitled "Life in the Nuclear Armed Crowd."