1917 Crimson Hysteria

(In view of the possibility that the United States is once again on the verge of involvement in a European war, the CRIMSON reprints, herewith, excerpts from some of its early 1917 editorials. It is our belief that they afford an interesting comparison with undergraduate opinion of today.)

February 5--"The possibility of a diplomatic break with Germany which has existed for the past two years has suddenly become a serious fact. . . over a thousand men responded to the call of preparedness last year when the country was in no immediate danger. The enrolment in (this) officer's unit will show that there are no Harvard slackers in 1917 even as there were none in 1861 and 1898."

February 14--"Harvard men have not yet proved that the red blood of the heroes of 1861 and 1898 still runs in the veins of the present generation. We have hesitated and delayed too long. Only 600 men in Harvard University have thus far roused themselves from their comfortable state of lethargy. . . . the need of the hour is for action, action, action!"

February 15--"In the present crisis some Harvard men have so far proved unwilling to make the sacrifices their country rightly demands. These laggards have exclaimed, "Can't I get out slightly ahead in individual performances, of it?'"

February 16--"Worse Than Slackers: Suddenly a new group in opposition to Harvard prepared his arisen. It is called the Harvard Union for American Neutrality, a high-sounding, idealistic name which successfully clothes the real spirit of this unfortunate movement. We do not want war. We all desire honorable an safe peace; but that pacifism which is synonomous with passivism may not be endured."

February 24--In a letter to the CRIMSON R. McCants Andrews 2L. charged that "the Crimson declares war." He went on to say, "The fact is that the CRIMSON is not doing its own thinking; it is merely reflecting manufactured opinion that already has millions of the sons of men destroying one another. It is overcome by the 'tinsel and braggadocio" of marching armies and booming navies. . . .If we must fight let us at least know why we fight and what our gains will be."