WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 195$ THE MICHIGAN DAILY PAGE TIME WENSAFBUR ,98TH IHGNDIYG HE Communist Drive ay Put U.S. on Defensive By PETER ARNETT Associated Press News Analysis SAIGON (A') - The allied mili- tary posturesin Vietnam has been challenged by tloe unexpected turbulence of the Communists' winter-spring offensive. The most experienced observers see a major reassessment of tac- tics forced upon the U.S. military high conimand, particularly in view of the now proven vulner- ability of major population cen- ters and administrative headquar- ters. These observers believe that great gaps have been exposed in the allied military stance since the Communists began the offen- sive with major actions near Laos and Cambodia last October and November, and followed these up with the attacks that culminated in action against 35 population centers in the past week. Unless these gaps are plugged, it looks as if the Communist bat- talions will be able to return any time they wish to harass the cities and major -towns. As some see it, this prospect might well break the will of a people sub- jected to war for 20 years. Late in December Gen. William C. Westmoreland said: "The best measure of progress is the im- proved attitude of the people. They have an attitude of optim- ism. Everywhere I go I note a feeling of encouragement." Optimism and encouragement are not apparent amongst the population this week. Scores of thousands have fled from their homes. The experienced observers, in- cluding some senior U.S. military officers, see these weaknesses ex- posed in the allied military pos- ture in recent months: 1. Enemy capability was under- estimated, particularly concern- ing the Viet Cong forces who draw recruits from South Viet- nam's population. Several U.S. advisers in the Me- kong delta area said privately the Viet Cong were powerful enough to overrun government forces. This past week the delta was terribly mauled. 2. Allied intelligence, often de- pendent on reports from the South Vietnamese, is inadequate. While there were some warnings forecasting last week's onslaughts, these did not anticipate that the Communists without widespread detection could mass 60,000 troops inside and at the fringes of major towns. The lunar new year truce was canceled only in the north- ernmost 1st Corps. The director of the U.S. Com- mand's combat center, Brig. Gen. John Chaisson, has credited the enemy with "having engineered and planned a very successful of- fensive in its initial phases, sur- prisingly well coordinated." 3. The ability of the South Vietnamese armed forces is again in question. "If this shows anything, it shows that you just can't fight a revolutionary war by keeping of- fice hours," one observer com- mented, in reference to the reluc- tance of most Vietnamese units to fight a seven day week. 4. The Viet Cong infrastructure in Saigon must be regarded as more powerful than ever before, despite claims that it was being gradually destroyed. With the clandestine Commu- nist movement operating so ef- ficiently in the capital city, hopes have been dashed that any real progress has been made in the towns and hamlets in the coun- tryside. The pacification program ap- pears set back indefinitely in view of its major objective: the se- curity and economic development of the population. This has been a key aim. From President Johnson down, leaders in the allied effort have made it clear for years that the Vietnam war involved not only military moves but also "the other war," ,the promotion of safety and sta- bility among the people. By last December the U.S. Em- bassy, citing computer analyses, was saying that two thirds of South Vietnam's 17 million peo- ple were living in secure areas controlled by the government. But traffic hasn't been able to even leave Saigon for the past week, and the cities en route are full of danger. . One field chief said: "Now that the war is so big, it is ridiculous to hope that a handful of men can or will protect their remote homes. A Communist battalion can walk through any pacifica- tion area in the whole country." What of the picture over all? What can the U.S. Command be expected to do to counter the ef- fects of this recent Communist offensive, at a time when the enemy's main force units are yet to be destroyed and the record of pacification is so clouded? While Westmoreland's head- quarters declines to discuss what may be done, he has often re- ferred to the American military posture here as "defensive in strategy, offensive in tactics." If fighting continues to be re- stricted to South Vietnam he may have no choice but to pursue a defensive strategy. He may have to change tac- tics, to bring his forces closer into the provincial towns and cities. Already many of the 35 population centers that came un- der attack are partly defended by U.S. marines and infantry. It is possible that only American forces with their endurance, firepower and mobility can provide the kind of defense that a city like Sai- gon needs 24 hours a day. * . oreans Rap Talks on Pueblo SEOUL (P) - The tempo of of- crisis. They followed closely a ficial protest against secret U.S. protest note Premier Chung II negotiations with the North Ko- kwon handed U.S. Ambassador reans for the return of the USS William J. Porter on the secret Pueblo increased yesterday night. talks. The National -Assembly adopted a The assembly's resolution in- resolution expressing "national sisted that the recent attempt by indignation" at the negotiations. North Korean commandos to as- Park Choon Kyoo, chairman of sassinate \President Chung Hee the Foreign Affairs Committee, Park was more important to told the assembly that South Ko- South Korea than North Korea's rea was being shut out of the seizure of the Pueblo, a communi- talks at the armistice town of cations ship. Panmunjom on subjects of vital 'Punitive Measures' concern to the country. The assembly resolution asked Chairman Park's remarks and the government to take "punitive the assembly's action reflected measures, if necessary alone, growing government concern over against Communist provocations the U.S. handling of the current such as the attempt to assassin- ate Park." It suggested that "military re- SCourtF1i es prisals would be the best mea- sures" since North Koreans "do not stick to diplomatic agree- N..Strike menu.," N .Y . One legislator explained that South Korea feared the United States might sacrifice,this coun- ni n Leader try's interests for U.S. global in- terests. NEW YORK (R) - The leader Indignant Reaction of a five day sanitation men's Indignant South Koreans say strike was sentenced to 15 days the United States did not react in jail yesterday for defying a forcefully when the attempt on court's back to work order and Park's life was made Jan. 21 but 9,llowing 40,000 tons of garbage it alerted all South Korean and to pile up in New York City U.S. forces when the Pueblo was streets-enough to fill a freight captured two days later. train nearly nine miles long. The South Korean forces re- "Employes cannot strike against main under the U.N. Command the government," State Supreme that fought the Korean War, and Court Justice Saul S. Streit told this is another point of irritation. John DeLury, president of the Remove Army? striking Uniformed Sanitation- The protest note to the United men's Association, an affiliate of States and the assembly resolu- the Teamsters.Union.tion both contained a hint that DeLury also was fined a maxi- South Korea might remove its mum $250 under the state's Tay- 560,000 man army from U.N. con- lor law, which prohibits strikes of trol to meet any North Korean municipal employes. d threat. South Korea also has 40,- The union head was allowed his 000 men fighting in Vietnam, and freedom overnight and his lawyer there have been some reports said DeLury will begin serving there migh be wtda o his contempt of court sentence fight at home. Today.gm Streit continued until today con- Abou Protest Leaflets charge agaist thbunio 60 students, joined by tempt 200aoges apersons, emonstratn itself. A maximum fine of up to in front of the U.S. Embassy and $10,000 a day against a union isi provided under the state's Tay- handed out leaflets protesting for law, which works out to $1 per American handling of the current, . day for each sanitation man: crisis. Then late in the afternoon, It was the second crackdown in peared at the embassy with more four months on union leaders about a dozen students reap- who have ignored the law, which leaflets. took effect last Sept. 1. The leaflets demanded U.S. re- The city's 10,000 sanitation men taliation against the capture of struck last Friday in a demand the Pueblo 'and the attempt on for a $600 a year increase in an- Park's life, an end to the secret nual salaries that range from $6,- Panmunjom talks aimed at re- 424 to $7,956 after three years. leasing the Pueblo's 83 crewmen, A mediation panel recommended and modernization of the Korean $400 a year. armed forces. Knudsen WALLACE, KENNEDY REJECTED: fpF~~t : . Takes fiord' Wisconsin Primary Includes Presidenc y 6 Republicans, .2 Democrats Former GAI Leader To Replace Miller In Unforseen Shift DETROIT ()-Semon E. Knud- sen, who resigned last week as 'number four' man at General Motors after being passed over for the presidency, yesterday was named president of Ford Motor Co., GM's major competitor. Making room for Knudsen, former President Arjay Miller was shifted to the newly created post of vice chairman of Ford's board of directors. Knudsen, son of a former GM president, also was named a di- rector an a member of the Ford executive committee. Surprise Announcement The surprise announcement was made by Henry Ford II, chairman and chief executive of- ficer of the company founded by his grandfather. Knudsen when he stepped out at GM was an executive vice pres- ident in charge of overseas and MADISON, Wis. (A')-The names of President Johnson and seven others were selected yesterday for Wisconsin's April 2 presidential preference primary ballot by a bi- partisan nominating committee. On split votes, the committee defeated attempts to place the names of Sen. Robert F. Kennedy of New York and former Gov. George Wallace of Alabama in the Democratic primary with John- son. Johnson and Sen. Eugene Mc- Carthy of Minnesota were unani- mously named to the ballot as were six Republicans. The eight candidates, unless they filed affidavits that they are not and do not intend to become candidates for the presidency, would be listed on the ballot. Candidates Republicans named were: former I Vice President Richard M. Nixon, Sen. Charles Percy of Illinois, Cali- fornia Gov. Ronald Reagan, New York Gov. Nelson Rockefeller, Michigan Gov. George Romney, and former Minnesota Gov. Harold Under the law, voters will have an opportunity to vote for any of the candidates listed, write in their own candidates, or vote against all of the candidate listed on either the Republican or Democratic bal- lots. The attempt to nominate Ken- nedy was defeated 5-4. Supporters for Wallace's name lost 6-3. George Wallace, who has said many times he would run for pres- ident unless the major parties "give the people a choice," is ex- pected to announce tomorrow that he is a candidate. New Conference The former governor will have a news conference in Washington tat 9 a.m. Thursday to make known "his intentions regarding the 1968 presidential campaign," his head- quarters said yesterday. Even as the news. conference was being arranged, members of the former governor's staff were in Pennsylvania for a drive to get his name on the presidential ballot there in November as a third party candidate. Wallace has already won a place on the California ballot, and sim- ilar efforts are under way in other states. More than a dozen lawyers have fanned out across the nation to findout the legal requirements for gaining ballot position in one state after another. The name of Robert Kennedy was proposed by Republican State Sen. Robert Knowles, a brother of Gov. Warren P. Knowles. Democratic state chairman Rich- man Cudahy protested that Ken- nedy had no campaign committee working for his candidacy and had not announced for the White House. Kennedy's office said he had no comment. FORMER VICE-PRESIDENT Richard M. Nixon made his first major speech in Wisconsin last night since formally entering the presidential race. REVENGE ATTEMPT: Soviets Fear New Syria-Israel Crisis MOSCOW (P) - Soviet officials these sources, 'is a bitter hatred are worried that Syria might by Syrian leaders of Egyptian make a desperate try for revenge President Gamal Abdel Nasser. on Israel this spring, creating the These leaders are pictured as cal- danger of another Middle East culating that even another Arab war. failure to defeat Israel in a April is being mentioned in in- Syrian sparked new Middle East formed Soviet circles as the time war would be worth while be- Syria might be ready to do some- cause it might cause Nasser's thing rash. ouster. 'TONIC Canadian operations and all do- Stassen. mestic nonautomotive and defense Of the sik, only Nixon, Romney divisions. and Stassen are declared candi- Stock Holder dates for the GOP presidential Knudsen was one of GM's big- nomination. gest stock holders.\As of last May Soon after the committee action he held 42,507 shares, worth more was announced, Rockefeller said than $3.3 million at current mar- at Albany that it was an "embar- ket values. It was not immediately rassment" because he is supporting clear what disposition would be Romney. The New York governor made of the GM stock but indus- said he would sign a disclaimer try speculation was that he prob- to remove his name from the Wis- ably would dispose of his hold- consin ballot as soon as he is ings - perhaps trading them for officially notified. Ford stock. No Campaign Knudsen walked out at GM last Reagan, who had said previously Wednesday, saying he was leav- he would not campaign in Wiscon- ing for personal reasons. It was sin, said he would not change his no secret that Knudsen had been stand. disappointed last fall when Ed- At Washington, Percy said he ward N. Cole was named GM would "respectfully but firmly" file president as James Roche moved the affidavit needed to take his up to chairman. name off the ballot. Wisconsin's primary law makes no 'provision for third party can- 70NIGHT at didates.j A NIGHT BUSTER KEATON NEVER WEAKEN OF( ;HT COMEDY !!! THE NAVIGATOR HAROLD LLOYD 7:00 & 9:05 P.M. The high ranking Soviet sourcesj who gave this information yes-t terday indicated the Soviet Un- ion wants to restrain Syria. Butt the informants expressed doubt Moscow has enough leverage in Damascus. Syria has refused repeatedly to subscribe to the Soviet public po- sition that political means-rath- er than military force - should be used to eliminate the results of last June's war. Syria also has rejected U.N. efforts for peace. Leftist Syria, which is armed, advised and aided by the Soviet, Union, follows Soviet suggestionsI on economic policy. It echoes Kremlin views on most aspects of world affairs, except those con- cerning Israel. As interpreted by informed So- viets, the Syrian hatred for Is- rael is so irrational that it can lead to suicidal attempts at re- venge. Another factor, according to If another war should break out, the Soviet Union has no more intention of risking a nuclear confrontation with the United States than it did last time, the sources said. The Middle East is not regarded as vital enough to basic Soviet interests to be worth global destruction. t~Tt / ARCHITECTURE AUDITORIUM 7 NOW ONL G I .Y IC HOOT * Bring your guitars, banjos or just come and sing along. Entertainment from 8 P.M.-12 P.M. Grady uck, Chr istopher & Sara, Dave Siglin and other fr'ends of The Ark )inursday-PAP presents Readings in 'Pataphysics' --with songs by Camp, music by Peter Griffith and Robert Morris. "The PAP has nothing to con- 1421 Hill St. tribute to the Ann Arbor cultural environment." 8:30 P.M. -S. Richardson. Friday-VINCE SADVSKY-singing blues, folk, and folk-rock music, playing 6 & 12 string guitar-and PAULA STONE-singing blues and ballads, playing g:uitar. Saturday-PAMELA AND MICHAEL-original, pop- ular, and traditional folk music for voice, guitar, and harp. t .L UNIVERSITY PLAYERS DEPT. OF SPEECH Wednesday-Saturday February 7-10 8 P.M. LYDIA MENDELSON THEATRE I PERSONAL I FRCM: CHARITY HOPE VALENTINE TO: YOU "It ain't no use flappin' your wings I cause we are caught in the flypaper of life." SOLD OUT FOR FRI. & SAT. MUSKET K PRESENTS I w I