THE MAIL

To the Editor of the Harvard Crimson:

One of the immediate issues facing Congress is the question of the Reciprocal Trade Agreements, which have to be renewed before June 12, 1943. Due to war conditions only a small fraction of our trade now comes under these agreements. Their extension however would be the first clear sign to our Allies that we are willing to supplement the broad economic promises of the Atlantic Charter by concrete action NOW to continue the trend towards more equitable trade in the future.

Under no circumstances may the renewal of the Hull program be toyed with as a political issue before Congress, for the discontinuance of these agreements would be a clear indication to the world of a retreat to pre-war isolationism and "America First."

Frederic de Hoffmann

Co-chairman: Harvard Council on Post War Problems.