ATHLETES AND ARMIES

One reaction to the recent storm of pacifism which has smitten the University was the large gathering which heard Colonel Winship yesterday in the Stadium. To his statement that if the nation is to be prepared, college men must, participate in the preparations, no exception can be taken, although one may be inclined to believe that the example of Harvard in this respect might not be the stimulating influence he anticipates. But it is necessary to regard the summer training from a patriotic point of view, rather than from the standpoint of personal benefit, if one is to wax enthusiastic.

The advantages of summer training have often been painted in glowing colors--and as far as comradeship and open air and so forth are concerned, probably these advantages are not overestimated. But athletes, accustomed to hard and violent training will find little besides a healthful routine; and if it should be with them merely a question of spending the summer somehow, tennis and swimming would probably supply more exercise and better conditioning than trailing a rifie around Camp Devens.

Nevertheless, there is the patriotic side; and there can be no question of the value of athletes--and most college trained men--to the national service. Athletics, in a sense, imply preparedness of a most vital sort--and conversely, preparedness requires athletics. When the athlete and the military man are combined, the result, by military standards in ideal. Summer training involves a sacrifice, and there is no reason why this should be concealed. But if patriotism means anything, if one feels that one owes a few weeks to fitting one's self for possible service, the sacrifice is certainly worth while.