UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL UNIT PERFORMED GREAT SERVICE

A letter recently received from Lt.-Col. Hugh Cabot '94 by the President of the Harvard Woman's Club of Boston and printed in the Alumni Bulletin, emphasizes the importance of the work accomplished by the Harvard Hospital Unit in France. This was the only American college hospital unit that succeeded in carrying on its activities right through the war. It was established in 1915. The letter follows:

"I am in receipt of a letter from Mr. Herbert H. White in which he advises me that your club has contributed liberally to the support of this unit which has been maintained here in the name of the University since July, 1915. It may be assumed that the fact that I have spent some two years of my time in doing what I could to see that this work was carried on in a way creditable to the dignity of the University is evidence that I have believed it to be of real importance. It is not, as I believe, accidental, that, though various American universities at varying periods from the beginning of the War to the entrance of the United States tried to maintain hospital units, Harvard alone has been able to maintain such a service in continuous existence. All the others for varying reasons, have fallen by the wayside. During nearly two years, from its beginning in July, 1915, it was the only outward and visible bond of unity between the great branches of the Anglo-Saxon race; but it was also something more than this--it was a relation between the intellectual and cultural sides of these peoples at a time when their political relations could not be brought into harmony. That it has had much effect in showing the real unity of spirit between New England and Old England, seems to me to be beyond doubt. It has spread the knowledge of Harvard as a seat of learning and also as a source of action. I have a strong feeling that, whereas in the past Harvard has gotten much inspiration from her older sisters at Oxford and Cambridge, in the future, and in the near nature, under the strain and stress of the construction which must take place after this War, the older sisters will have something to be the younger, an Harvard will be in a position to show the possibility of changing a seat of learning with the real lives of the people, to show that a great university is not of necessity isolated by the fact of its own eminence and wisdom, and drawn apart from the pressing problems which face the further development of democratic government.

"One may reasonably doubt whether the English universities have in the last generation importantly assisted British democracy, while one cannot, I think, doubt that Harvard has importantly assisted in the development of American democracy throughout its existence.

Makes After-War Service Possible.

"The point that I am trying to make is that this Unit in its more than three years of active and, as I believe, efficient existence, has made the name of Harvard known and trusted; that it has importantly increased the possibilities that the University may be of real service after the War; and that this, rather than its humanitarian or military aspects, has been and should be regarded as its real purpose. Certainly, those of us who have sacrificed not only our time but in all probability our future prospects to the transaction of this work have not done so without the hope that this might prove to be the durable satisfaction to be obtained by the maintenance of the Harvard Unit as an integral part of the Royal Army Medical Corps.

"As you have so importantly assisted us in the material maintenance of this operation, it appears to me that you are at least entitled to some idea of what we believe to be its purpose."