Anti-War Movement

The Spike of a year ago told of the formation of an anti-war movement in the College, and of the urgent need for organised and strenuous opposition to militarism and militant imperialism. The past twelve months have strikingly emphasized the urgency of this need for opposition.

Although during the past year the movement has not received the active student support that it deserves it has fully justified its existence. During the long vacation well attended study circles were held regularly at Weir House. We used as a handbook "Why War?" by Ellen Wilkinson and Edward Conge. Through these study circles we learnt facts essential to a sane and steady outlook on current policies and events, and their relation to war; we were made to appreciate varying viewpoints and were able to discuss organisational methods. During the coming long vacation the movement intends to embark upon a further series of study circles. Those interested are invited to communicate with the secretary.

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Several public meetings have been held during the year. Major Pharazyn was the main speaker at a large meeting in the Gym., while, Eric Cooke, Alan Free and Gerald Griffen spoke at gatherings in the main building. On numerous occasions the V.U.C. movement has provided speakers for down-town meetings.

Two cyclostyled bulletins published by the movement have been widely distributed. Further copies may be obtained from the secretary.

A small, but well-stocked library of anti-war literature is available to students. Among books recently added are: "War, Peace and the Soviet Union," Gore Graham; "An Atlas of Current Affairs," J. F. Hor-rabin; "How Empires Grow," J. F. Horrabin.

In September of this year the anti-war movement in co-operation with other bodies intends issuing a Ques-tionaire on War. We ask for the active interest of all students.

In the face of the increasing strength of the war machine single anti-war movements may seem impotent, even futile, but we must remember that each individual movement is a member of a world-wide organisation, which is daily increasing and which rests on a surer foundation than any imperialism—the might of the masses. Almost with every mail, messages are received from foreign movements which tell of successful protests and strikes against war, in America, in England, in France, in Japan, in Italy, in China—everywhere.

We appeal to students, to workers, to all who love their country and their fellow-men, to organise against the imperialism which leads to war, and against Fascism which means war. We ask them to fight unceasingly against war, which in its madness and brutality means the destruction of the highest and best in human life.