Students Meet to Plan Peace March to Capital

"The conscience of the nation is troubled," Peter C. Goldmark '62, Tocsin chairman, said last night. "All that is needed is a voice, a spontaneous popular movement, to begin the end of the arms race," he declared.

A capacity crowd at the open Tocsin meeting responded enthusiastically to speeches by Goldmark, Albert R. Meyer '63, and Gerald Holton, professor of Physics. After showing a film of the English "ban-the-bomb" march from London to Aldermaston in 1958, Goldmark remarked, "We are those people."

Holton's speech began the meeting--called to plan the Feb. 16 student peace demonstration in which 5,000 to 6,000 students are expected to participate. Although war is a moral absurdity, "history is a record of absurdities," Holton said.

As more nightmarish weapons have made war a monstrosity, an impossibility. There is a new reluctance to speak of nuclear warfare for fear of being thought 'soft' either by the Russians or our own Russians, the right-wing extremists," he declared.

War More Probable

As nuclear war begins to appear thinkable, it becomes more probable, asserted Holton. "And keeping silent is casting a vote for it," he went on.

Eolton's speech reached its highpoint with an appeal for independent and original student action. He hoped students could accept advice from older people, without imitating the kinds of action and methods which have not worked for us." Free from direction by "seasoned old pros," and "ready made flags," students should act positively and optimistically. "I and millions of others will be watching you with hope," Holton concluded.

After an extended ovation, the film was shown, which prolonged the mood of intense emotion.

As students, it is our job to think," proceeded Meyer, criticizing the apathy of the American people. He painted a grim picture of the present situation: nuclear warheads being installed on Nike missles, atomic submarines and bombers in constant readiness, shelters being built and armed with machine guns.

Our Last Chance

The best answer for us is February's mass demonstration," he stated. "It may be the most intelligent and forceful demonstration for peace in our country's history. And it may be our last chance."

Describing the plans for the protest, Goldmark said that the students coming personally to Washington would represent many others with policy statements. Blue armbands will be worn by sympathizers all over the country, and several national magazines may show support by printing blue stripes around the middle. After the meeting, more than 150 students submitted cards indicating that they will join the demonstration.