Conant Urges Students to Continue Studies in Face of World Crisis

Speaking in Memorial Chapel yesterday morning, President Conant urged all students to keep on with their studies and "develop their potentialities to the utmost" as the best means of serving their country. "To that end we here at Harvard begin another academic year."

The President emphasized that "in its three hundred year existence Harvard has witnessed many drastic moments in the history of western culture, but the present college year opens under a shadow of a threat never before present. War is not the worst possiblity we face; the worst is the complete triumph of totalitarianism, and at this moment it is sufficiently real to warrant every man's most earnest consideration."

Democracy Must Continue

"Each one of us must decide to what extent we as a nation should heed the warnings, and though the emergency be great, we must come to our decision by the cumbersome process of free debate."

Yet President Conant sees that the greatest difficulty Harvard must face is to reconcile itself to the relatively passive part it must play in such times as these. "Only a few will be called up to give their entire time and energy to our vast program of rearmament. Consequently, many will feel thwarted and long for more active participation."

Must Play Passive Part

"Thus Harvard must utilize the larger part of its resources to satisfy the ordinary peacetime needs and preserve the ideals of tolerance and individual freedom. Calmness of mind and enduring patience we shall need, for the emergency will be longer than we suspect."

"To the student the country says continue with your studies until you are called for special duty. Untrained men are as useless to a nation in times of peace as in days of war. To aid individuals in developing their potentialities to the utmost, the schools, colleges and universities of this nation are supported and maintained," concluded President Conant.