WAR PETITION FOR CONGRESS

Demanding immediate legislative action on aid to Britain, the Committee for Militant Aid to Britain will send Congress a petition, being circulated today and tomorrow among Harvard and Radcliffe students.

Following on the heels of the Committee's war rally of December 5, the petition urges "the Congress of the United States to undertake positive measures for the defeat of the Axis powers by ensuring all possible aid to Britain at once" in view of the fact that the U.S. "is already in a state of undeclared war."

"A declaration of war is only a question of strategy" is the premise upon which the Committee bases its demand for immediate action. "A German victory over Britain in the near future," the petition argues, "would make the position of the United States an intolerable one."

Dread U. S. Armed Camp

The sponsors fear that this country would be forced to become an "armed camp and abandon democratic methods" in order to overcome successfully the unseen war which the Axis powers have already begun to "weaken and divide" the American people.

"Totalitarian methods of pressure" would be used by the Axis in the event of a British defeat if they did not even attempt to attack this country directly and immediately. To prevent such dangers, speedy action "to be decided by military authorities on the basis of maximum effectiveness against the Axis powers" should be taken.

A group of nineteen students "acting as individuals" has been organized to obtain the necessary signatures. Among them are Charles O. Porter IL, Freshmen Roger L. Putnam, Jr. and Parker D. Wyman, Judith Friedberg of Radcliffe, and William P. Bundy IL, president of the Committee.