The AUC Review, Volume XII, No. 3

              THE A.U.C REVIEW
Student Publication of the American College of Arts and Sciences
VOLUME XII No. 3
FRIDAY, XOVExMBER 29, 1935-
P.T. 1
Dr. Watson Speaks in First Meeting of the I.R.C.
On Friday afternoon, Nov. 22, the International Relations Club held its first muting in the .Alumni room. Stanley Bull, as president, opened the meeting by a,sking of the members mutual help and cooperation for the uplifting of the ideal of this club.
Then, Dr. Watson delivered a lecture on ‘‘The Reconciliation Between Nationalism and Internationalism.”
‘‘I am glad,” he said, ‘‘to meet you a.ll here; you, tne youth of toda}' and leaders of the future. 1 am happy to see before me the modern youth interested in this club and its ideals. You all know that its object is to develop international spirit and international coo]>eration.
“The question faces us. What is it that makes a nation?
‘‘Some would answer that “language” makes the nation. But take Belgium for e.xample.
Although a part speaks the original Belgian language and another French yet the national unity is strong. In Switzerland, too, the people speak three languages, yet theirs is a most nationalised country. Therefore, language is not a basic condition for the life of a nation.
“Some would say that “race” makes the nation. But who can show me a pure race? Every nation is a mixture. England, for example, is composed of various races, that settled there. If Germany \vould attempt to exclude all those with Jewish blood even t\vo generations back, “one fourth Jews” as they are called, then five hundred thousand soldiers \yould have to quit the army.
“There are those who would say, that “religion” makes the nation. But this is not true. Take Holland, for an example; it is divided sharply into Catholics
and Protestants. Switzerland, too, i.s composed of Catholics and Protestants. And in America, who can say how many religions there are?
“Others would claim that “geographical territory” is the underlying basis for a nation. In a sense it is true; and it is probably the truest factor of nationalism. I believe that England would not have become so unified nationally, had it not been in an island. But the Jew;s afford us an opposite example :	for
hundreds of years they have not had a national home, yet they are strongly nationalistic.
“Still others would attribute rationalism to “government.” But the Jews again have been under different governments and constitutions.
“Others would associate nationalism with “identical political experiences.” We are safe in saying that this is the deepest
cause of national unity. We have seen it work out in the life of Japan. The great war between Japan and Russia united the people of Japan as never before.
“No one of these factors can be regarded as a basis of nationalism. You may have national unity without any one of them. Indeed variations within a nation need not be a weakness to a nation for they develop variety of culture and variety of ideals, which enrich national life.
“Some people claim that nationalism destroys the brotherhood of man, or internationalism. But again this need not be so. True nationalism is not the enemy of internationalism. The former is the first step to the latter. F'irst comes national life and then internationalism.
We are just beginning to develop an international spirit. There is much ahead to be done.
{Cont. page 5)
RAMADAN :
THE MONTH OF FASTING
A NEW VENTURE
for A.U.C. Students
Ramadan is a religious act which Mohammedans have to perform, whatever, the circumstances—except when sick, and when travelling a distance of forty miles or more. Certainly the second e.xcuse disappears almost entirely nowadays, due to the speedy means of transportation nocy at one’s disposal.
Ramadan, or fasting fifteen hours in every' twenty-four, for a period of one month, is not so diffirulf and tiring as some people are inclined to think. It very religion has to introduce some hard act into its practices and beliefs to prepare its adherents for life more thoroughly, and to make them sympathise with one another and the world as a whole.
This One Month’s Act of Fasting, therefore, was made part of Islam for some such reasons as the following :
To make Mohammedans realise what hunger is, and to feel with the poor and needy and starving;
To make them used to such a life, should it hapoen to take place, in their lives for a time as a result of the changes in the world;
And finally, to create a change
from the monotony of life, a change welcome enough, bringing as it does, more stimulation, more value to the means of sub-sistance, and better health. Certainly, children are exempted from it until they reach the age of twelve. Meanwhile, to prepare themselves for Ramadan when it becomes due, tbey try to fast half a day; that is, from 3 a.m. to 12 a.m.
Preparation for Ramadan is a great thing, and takes a great deal of effort. You tr}' and select the best means of subsistance on the market; and the best sweets, in their thousands, are soon prepared by the specialists. All minarets, mosques and shop windows are decorated to celebrate this sacred month of Islam.
But the most elaborate and the most important preparations take place in t]ie home. There you will find all sorts of dishes of the best stuff, and excellently cooked, come to the table, when the +'ine comes to eat. The food, then, is so appetising, and hunger having set in, a person sometimes exposes himself to harm by. over-eating. If you don’t believe this, ask Abaza about it. But, \Cont. page 5)
World Youth, a Newspaper for Young People, is the full title of a paper which is being published this month. Its aim is stated to be “To promote peace and understanding among the youth of all nations.” The advertisement promises that there are to be twelve pages to an issue and that it is to appear weekly. These twelve pages are to be divided up between National anri International News, articles on Science, Sports, Adventure, Travel, and four pages of pictures from all countries of the world. The news articles are to be “wiitten by young people for j'oung people all over the world.”
Students of A.U.C. are invited to become contributors to the newspaper. The editor writes in a letter to Dr. Watson: “Some of your students might write us of their lives, occupations an-d ideas. We could use accounts of news events in E.gypt, written from the stand point of Egyptian youth. Accounts of antiquities, with photographs' (glossy print) would be welcome. We would be especially interested, at this difficult time, to have the attitude of ' young Eg3'pt
toward the Ethiopian situation, etc.
“The articles should be signed, (maximum 500 words), accompanied by a photograph of the writer and a short account of himself which we could print in italics to introduce him or her to our readers. If the writers would mention their birthplace, giving its exact location, we will indicate it on the line map that is a weekly feature.
“We pay two dollars for the student contributions and a dollar for the photographs printed. Others will be returned.”
The address of the offices of this newspaper is, 118 A'tyrthe Street, Boston, Mass, U.S.A.
Any students who are interested in this project and want-further information are invited to consult Mr. Howard. The venture offerts an opportu.nitj' for students to make a practical and intersting use of their knowledge of English. There is the chance, too, to earn some money. The best aspect of the newspaper, however, is introducing young people of manv lands to one another, a contribution to world understanding"^ and bro-therlmess.