PRESIDENT LOWELL ADDRESSES SMOKER

At the Senior Smoker in the Living Room of the Union last night, President Lowell, Mr. L. P. Marvin '98, Mr. T. W. Slocum '90, and three of the seven permanent class officers addressed the class of 1923 and their invited guests, the graduating classes of the Graduate Schools. C. P. Fordyce '23, chairman of the Smoker Committee, presided.

President Lowell, the principal speaker of the evening, told of his trip abroad and also told of the Ruhr situation,--both from the French and German standpoint. Speaking of his trip abroad President Lowell described the life and characteristics of the English universities of Oxford and Cambridge. There are 18 colleges in Cambridge and 21 in Oxford, according to President Lowell, and life in both of these universities, which are conducted in practically the same manner, is indeed delightful. Each day the students in the separate colleges meet for dinner and thus get to know each other very well, but this system has its drawback as the students do not have the spirit for the corporate body that is shown in the American universities. The lectures do not form as important a part of the program as each man is under the general supervision of a tutor.

Debating is Important

President Lowell also said that debating formed an important part of the English university life. The debating societies sit as a parliament and hold discussions on the important political situations of the day. It happened that at the time he was there the debating unions were discussing the Ruhr situation and after, when he reached France, he discovered the French attitude toward this subject. It resembles that of a man when's head of an industrial concern and who depends for solvency on a debt owed the concern. England told France to postpone the debt for five years. France said that if it were postponed it could never be again collected, and thus set out to collect it by force or else obtain security for it.

On the other hand, it was stated by President Lowell, France will be benefitted very little by her act and at the same time Germany, will suffer as her industries will be crippled. In the same way all Europe is at loggerheads and what is needed today more than all else is clear, calm, and profound thought.

In conclusion President Lowell stated that Harvard men had always been ready to shed blood for their country during the war and lead the people during such an emergency, but in peace time the public opinion is not as unanimous and thus the task confronting each member of the graduating class will be so much the more difficult.

Mr. L. P. Marvin '98, president of the Associated Harvard Clubs, in his speech told of the advantages of affiliating with the Harvard Clubs and the Alumni Association and then gave a brief history of the Harvard Clubs that now extend all over the world.