INNOCENT ABROAD

President Conant's arrival in England Saturday followed close on the heels of the Student Union's warning to the students of England that they were about to receive into their midst "a visitation of American imperialism." With their usual disbelief in the obvious, the H.S.U. brands the ostensible purpose of "scientific mission" as a disguise for interventionist motives.

It is true that Harvard's president feels that England must be saved, even by American sailors and soldiers if necessary. But it is fantastic to assume that he is engaged in the underhanded designs of which the Student Union suspects him. Despite his extended absence from the research laboratory, President Conant is still recognized as one of the outstanding scientific experts in the country. The Student Union has never been shy to point out his connection with the development of a fool-proof poison gas. At this time, when material aid from this country is necessary to keep England going, some agency to coordinate scientific progress on the two sides of the ocean is required. The Government seems to feel that President Conant is a fit man to fulfill this function.

What he could do to involve this country in war would be slight. What he can do as a scientist in speeding and promoting the sending of war supplies to the besieged island is great.