I THE MICHIGAN DAILY SUNDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1950 m - Near East Politics I rODAY the Near East lies fallow, but notwithstanding the friendly gestures of its rulers to the United States, the land of Omar Khyyam is a very fertile ground for the seeds of Communism. Dr. Afif Tannous of the Department of Agriculture recently said: "The status-quo cannot exist in a Mid- dle East which is subjected to powerful ideological pressures. Something is certain to break." The status-quo in the Levant does give cause for anxiety. The countries of the Arab World, with the exception of Tur- key, are per se feudalistic in structure. Ab- sentee Landlordism thrives in medieval form. The masses are woefully laboring under an outmoded and inequitable eco- nomic system. Moreover, the land tenure system i s sadly outdated. There is a great deal of con- fusion as to property ownership. The many ways of holding property include: state own- ership of property; the "wukf" system, which dedicates land for religious purposes; land held in fee simple; land held in common. And there are others, all of which fail to give the. peasant a feeling of owning property. The monopoly of.-land in the hands of a, Editorials pblished in The Michigan Daily are written by members of The Daily staff and represent the views of the writers only. NIGHT EDITOR: RON WATTS I It Seems to Me By DON NUECHTERLEIN EUROPEANS often are accused of being naive in their approach to the Soviet threat. Full-scale rearmament, say the cri- tics, is the only way the West can answer the challenge from the East. Our friends across the Atlantic coun- ter by charging that America Is being blinded to the real threat by Red-scares and "witch hunts" which breed hysteria 4d. divert the public attention away from the crucial questions. Both, these argments, it seems to me, carry a good deal of truth; however, they are not directed at the same issue. To understand clearly the challenge from the Soviet Union, it is necessary to distin- guish between the military threat of the Red Army on the one hand and the ocial- political threat of the Communist countries in the various countries on the other. AMERICANS who criticize Europe for be- ing "soft" toward the Communists think primarily of the military threat of commu- nism; on the other hand, Europeans who think us too military-minded view the prob- lem more from the social-political side. Both, In their own context are right. The European attitude runs something like this: communism, like fascism, is a philosophy which makes it greatest appeal to people who see little if any hope of bet- tering their economic status under the present system of government. These coun- tries of Western Europe which have the largest Communist parties also have the lowest standards of living. The solution to the communist problem, say the Europeans, is to raise the living standard and to provide work for the peo- ple, thereby I creating the hope andconfi- dence which diminishes the chances of the Communists. The wrong approach, say these Europeans, is to outlaw and persecute the Communists, because that alone solves none of the social problems which make commu- nism possible. * * * A MERICANS would do well to consider his point of view. Since we have the highest standard of living of any people in the world, the communist threat here is almost nill. But in many other countries of the world, Italy, China, India, communism is a real danger because of low living stan- dards. Unless Americans understand ad ap- preciate this internal threat of commu- nism in other countries, it is unlikely that our foreign policy can meet the needs of this situation.. But Americans also are right in saying that Europe has not paid enough attention to defense needs during the past few years. Of course, Europe's big job since the war has been economic recovery, but there has been a decided tendency to play down the Russian military threat and to regard the social threat of communism as the primary danger. In fact, until recently there has been much more sympathy for the Soviet point of view then Americans generally real- ize. * * * EVENTS IN Czechoslovakia in 1947 mark-. ed a turning point for many Europeans in their attitude toward Russia, but still there were many who argued that Czecho- slovakia was an internal matter and could not be labeled as Soviet expansion. Korea proved the decisive factor in awakening Europe from its slumbers and now the countries are stepping up the de- fense programs. But there still is a latent feeling among many West Europeans that America is unduly alarmed about the world situation. Perhaps it is because Europeans fear another war so much, perhaps be- cause socialist parties are suspicious of American intentions. few has led to a wide schism between the privileged classes and the masses. Wealth and privileges are concentrated in the upper classes, while the illiterate masses are hard- ly able to manage a marginal living. Unfortunately, the governments are often as inefficient as the economic systems. Only the slightest traces of democratic govern- ment exist. A hybrid jurisprudence of Is- lamic law and super-imposed Western law makes the legal system a cumbersome ma- chine. In fact, the states still practice anti- quated customs. By way of example, an Arab State will refuse to extradite a fugitive from justice from another state on the basis of the deeply-imbedded principle of Arabian hospitality. Although the Arabs can be com- mended for their affable hospitality, such a perversion of this virtue is "reductio ad ab- surdum." The saddest part of this bedlam is the apathy of the Arab leaders. The headlines themselves are revealing. Farouk of Egypt is still gambling away his millions in France, drinking vermouth and scouting "the girl with the most beautiful belly this side of the Atlantic." Ibn Saud of Saudi Arabia seems to be more content with Arabian "Ahwa." The others? Allah knows what they're doing-if anything. It is no wonder then that Arab youth are disillusioned and disheartened. It is no wonder that others with empty stomachs have looked to the Kremlin. And the Russians are exploiting this situa- tion. Playing a de Medici game, they clever- ly manipulate their propaganda from blunt invectives tossed at the Arab rulers to sympathy with their cause. A recent United Nations' bulletin reported that the Soviet Union has taken sides with the Arabs con- cerning the Libyan question. The Syrian delegate, Dr. Farid Zeined- dine, blasted France and England in their administration of Libya and demanded Libyan Independence. He was backed up by Amazasp Arutunian, a Soviet delegate. Arutiunian lashed out with this state- ment: "Under the eyes of the UN Commis- sioner, Libya is being split up by Great Britain and France with the aim of establishing 'puppet regimes."' But the United States can play a role in the Levant's destiny which will put Russian diplomacy to shame. It can encourage and cooperate with those liberal elements in the Near East which want reform. It can, as Tannous suggests, withhold Point Four fi- nancial aid until a plan for redistribution of the land is stipulated. It can send technolo- gists to the Near East to aid in the economic development of that area. It can encourage such proposals as a TVA project for the Arabian desert-carried out by the Arabs themselves. And above all the United States can press for democratic government. The State Department has already recog- nized the benefits of such a foreign policy. If it isn't carried out, if we insist on support- ing dissipated sovereigns, if we disregard the progressive elements in that sector, we may have to contend with an ominous Russian- Chinese-Arab unity. -Cal Samra DREW PEARSON: Washington Merry-Go-*Round WASHINGTON-Federal Power Commis- sion officials, who hand out multi-mil- lion-dollar natural gas and pipe-line fran- chises, are bending elbows at cocktail parties thrown by private-power lawyers. A recent party was given by three power- company lawyers in the swank Hay Adams Hotel across the park from the White House. Federal Power Commissioners Harrington Wimberly and Nelson Smith showed up, along with members of the gas section staff. The beaming hosts were William Dougher- ty, James White and Charles E. McGee, who between them represent the Hope Natural Gas Company, New York, State Natural Gas, and Mississippi River Fuel Corp. The liquor poured freely. Note-If a federal judge accepted favors from lawyers appearing before his court, he could be impeached. But federal bureaus, whose decisions are often more sweeping than the jurists,.have no check on them. RENT-CONTROL CONVERT A stiff rise in his apartment rent made a sudden convert to rent control of Ohio's handsome Senator John Bricker, who once told colleagues he thought Bob Taft was getting "Communist minded" for support- ing low-cost housing. Even in the darkest days of Washington's housing shortage and after a trip through Washington's ugly; slums, Bricker stoutly in- sisted rent control was not necessary. But the day after his rent was raised at the elegant Mayflower Hotel Bricker rushed into print with a statement to reporters: "We may have to have rent ceilings. If we continue in war, there's no question about Also nicked for higher rents at the May- flower was suave Senator Owen Brewster, a staunch opponent of controls. Also, right- wing Democrat Harry Byrd got an eviction notice from the swank Shoreham Hotel, which started clearing out permanent guests when rent ceilings were upped. The Virginia apple grower was politely told he could stay --if he paid almost double. (Copyright, 1950, by the Bell Syndicate, Inc.)' Sophomoritis SOPHOMORITIS has taken on a new form. Time was when the weathered faces of political ancients wrinkled in condescend- ing smiles and knowing winks at the mention of the term. Now, there is a new smile which seems to say, "Welcome to the brotherhood," a new wink which seems to say, "This guy's O. K." Time was when the sophomore, after completing his freshman introduction to the sins of the world and a few simple, academic rules for washing them away, plastered his lapels with political buttons, his desk with subversive literature, and his walls with hammers and sickles. Now, he wears a flower in his lapel, piles textbooks on his desk, and studies within barren walls. How did this strange reversal in natur- al development come about? Here at Michigan, the answer is very obvious. Harry Highschool came to Michigan last year flush with the illusions of success in a small, isolated socio-educational en- vironment. He was ready to plow through his courses, soar to great heights in activi- ties, and generally conquer every obstacle that might appear in his path. And his mind and heart were packed with causes. Hollywood had told him of racial inequalities existing in America. The press had told him about the slums. Radio had filled his ears with the threat o f totalitarianism at home and abroad. Tele- vision had made his eyeballs bulge with the horrors of war. In true traditional form, he was to ab- sorb a year's dosage of superficial know- ledge, spending long evenings curled up with the thoughts of Thoreau, Lenin, and Philip Wylie. Then he was to emerge with fire in his breast, stare with glassy eyes of hatred at the bigoted monsters who direct our so- ciety, and do his part to make the pillars of the status quo shake before his tirades. Somewhere along the way he slipped out of the pattern. Perhaps it all started that day when he signed a petition which said something about discrimination. He hadn't bothered to read it very carefully as the young lady who stopped him on the diag had been kind enough to take an interest in his opinion. Later, he learned somewhere in a pam- phlet's maze of emotional verbosity that he was one of some 2700 who were opposing alleged discrimination practices at Michi- gan. He also learned that this alphabet group, which he kept getting mixed up with all the others, was attacking an administrative officer with whom it was trying to work. Soon afterward, he read that a whole slew of University officials were being referred to as "fascists." This puzzled him a bit. In the back of his mind, a logical process kept telling him that you don't fight the people you want to win over to your side. At first he thought it was a little silly of him, even squeamish. But as more and more of the same charges came to his attention, he began to have some ser- ious doubts about a lot of people who claimed to be bettering human existence. Finally, he decided to do a little in- vestigating. He stepped out from behind his books and began to attend sessions where a lot of these people he had been reading about met to discuss plans of action. He listened and read and smelled. But mostly he just watched. He watched the loud ones drown out the quiet ones, the crafty ones outmaneuver the naive ones, the dramatic ones win over the calm ones. And slowly he began to gain his perspec- tive-one that might last him for a lifetime. He began to formulate principles of behavior drawn from reactions to the mistakes o f others. By the end of the year, he had found' a new sense of security. It was 4L real secur- ity, not just an external contrivance that made small men look up and big men look scared. It was a realization of the minute- ness of knowledge acquired and the im- mensity of knowledge to be acquired. It didn't stop him from learning. For example, he learned about tolerance, di- plomacy, caution, suspicion, motivation. He learned that a lot of people weren't really interested in their purported goals but were more concerned with themselves. But most of all, he learned that he had a lot more to learn. The summer came and the breezes were cooler than ever, the sun was warmer than ever, the lake more soothing than ever. And when he came out of hibernation, he found he was as powerful as the next man. They asked him to sign this Stockholm Peace Appeal and this time he knew that the gold was not always like the glitter. They asked him to sign this Crusade for Freedom and he could envisage itsdanger too. Now, he was the disillusioned sopho- more-cautious, suspicious, and all-wise in ignorance. In a way, it's kind of a tragedy. Missing a large part of a short life is always a trag- edy to the sentimentalist. But, in a much more important sense, it is a welcome sign, this early reaction to the pitfalls of following the publicity-f e d martyrs on their paths of glory to self and alienation to others. It is a sign of a mature generation. This is the why the pressure groups moan as they think of the inanimate proto- nlrm which thev must nriclr with their ninrs Inventory . . To the Editor: DURING the summer session and thus far this year, I have read, with some interest, the banterings, accusations, denials, and what have you in your "Letters" col- umn. It has recently occurred to me that the intelligence of the in- dividuals who wrote most of these letters is of a rather low caliber. For example, I cite, as the num- ber one idiots, those who wrote in against the Young Progressives on this campus and those Communist swine who defended the Y.P.'s; the former rate slightly lower on the intelligence scale for they fail to realize that it is a human habit to deny the truth even when con- fronted with emperical evidence. The young Communists epitomise this trait, hence it is useless to be- labor these intellectual prostitutes and their "Madame," Gordon Mac- Dougall. In order to end this abys- mal state of affairs, I would sug- gest that all of the "Red Knights" be taken out and shot, drawn and quartered; I must confess that I consider killing a Communist something less than a misdemea- nor. I have also read with distaste, some letters by an individual known as Ralph L. Christensen. It seems to me that the primary reason for attending the Univer- sity of Michigan is to learn some- thing and not to second guess members of the faculty, especially when the faculty member knows a bit more about the subject in question than the somewhat im- -Daily-Bill Hampton "The College approves of PEOPLE in politics, of course, Doctor. But good Heavens! Not PROFESSORS!" * * * * LOCALLY, all thoughts were on Yankee Stadium this week. But at Michigan State College the faculty members, at least, had some- thing other than football to think about. MSC chief John A. Hanna told them that, unless they got a leave of absence, they could no long- er actively mix in politics. * * * * Local.. . "RELIEF"-It was a good-size fire, as such things are measured in Ann Arbor. The upper floors of Montgomery Ward's downtown warehouse were completely gutted. Next day, police began checking the possibility of arson. On a tip, they brought in Robert N. Stacy, 30-year-old University student and teaching fellow in the classical studies department. After more than eight hours of questioning and a trip to Lansing for a lie detector test, Stacy broke down. Although he said he had nothing to do with the warehouse fire, Stacy confessed to police that in the late afternoon of June 6, he walked into a second floor lecture room in Haven Hall, set fire to a pile of rolled-up maps, and promptly left the building. Then he looked on for a while as flames devoured the 87-year- old landmark in what amounted to the biggest fire around here in years. Stacy's confession brought about immediate arrest. That was Wednesday. Thursday he admitted setting three other fires in town, two of them in University buildings. Meanwhile, police revealed that Zelda Clarkson, Stacy's one-time girlfriend and a former University Hospital nurse, gave the tip-off leading to his arrest. Miss Clarkson said Stacy talked about the Haven Hall fire this summer while trying to force his attentions on her. She asked that Stacy be committed to a mental institution. This- weekend, lean, unshaven, Robert Stacy told authorities how touching off fires was related to his love for Miss Clarkson. The "ex- citement" gave him relief from the tension brought by her rejection, Stacy explained. OUSTED--Engineering Council president Ned Hess, '51E, was re- moved from office for violation of an eligibility ruling. Vice-president Robert Preston, '51E, took Hess's place. SAC-First-semester freshmen got another break this week. The Student Affairs Committee allowed them to participate in Arts Chorale, provided they keep up satisfactory grades. It was one of the initial actions in SAC's year-long study of the freshman eligibility problem. Several other campus groups are expected to petition shortly for a re- laxation of the first-semester ban. NEW JOB-The University lost an able administrator this week when Prof. John A. Perkins, Assistant Provost and member of the political science department, accepted an appointment as president of the University of Delaware. Previously, the 36-year-old former Michi- gan student had been rumored as a possible successor to President Ruthven, who will begin his retirement this year, . i . .. CONFAB-President Truman and Gen. MacArthur met on Wake Island yesterday in a conference which Truman hoped would con- tribute "to the peace of the world." CREDIT-Moving to curb inflation, the government sharply tight- ened controls on consumer credit. The action stiffened the terms under which people can buy homes, cars, radios, television sets, household appliances and furniture. NO ENTRY-The State Department put a temporary block on all alien entry into this country. The Department froze all visas pending clarification of the tough new Communist control law. Thousands of Europeans heading for the United States were hit by the action.' * * * * Around the World .. . INDO-CHINA-France's position in Indo-China was precar- iously, weakened this week. In a stiff fight near the Chinese frontier, Ho Chin Minh's Communist forces trapped and wiped out the bulk of 3,500 French troops. It was the biggest battle of the four-year-old war and it was also France's worst defeat. In Washington, French officials asked the United States for more military aid. UN-Dean Acheson's proposals for strengthening the United Na-i tions came up before the UN's political committee. At first, Russia's Andrei Y. Vishinsky seemed willing to go along with the ideas. But Tuesday the Soviet delegate termed most of the proposals "bizarre" and "illegal." Next day Vishinsky offered some proposals of his own. Meanwhile, the Russians took time out to veto the reelection of Trygve Lie to another five year term as UN secretary general. It was expected that the Western nations would try to circtimvent the Red block by putting the issue before the veto-free General Assembly. Looking toward Korea, the UN decided to let Gen. MacArthur set up United Nations civil rule north of the 38th parallel. This meant Syngman Rhee's Government would be limited to South Korea. When informed of the development, Rhee said, "I can't believe it." KOREA-The noose tightened on the Communists. Amphibious landings north of the 38th parallel seemed imminent as UN forces knifed into North Korea and slammed away at Red ports along the East Coast. Meanwhile the North Koreans said they would rather "fight to the death" than accept Gen. MacArthur's surrender ulti- matum. -Bob Keith prudent student. I would suggest that Mr. Christensen hurry back to his classes in Elementary Lawn Mowing and learn something; it is also my contentionthat Mr. B. S. Brown do the same thing. I would like to take this oppor- tunity to answer a question put forth by one John Thomas. It seems that when mass ap- proaches infinity, time approaches zero; Calculus will bear me out when I say that if a given rocket- ship were to leave the Planet Earth at the speed of light and travel out into space for a period of exactly six months, turn around and return to its starting point, assuming no time is lost in the take-off or the turn, the time elapsed on the Planet Earth would be approximately four and one half years. I say starting point and I mean in space, for the Planet Earth would be in a different po- sition in its orbit. It seems as if this theory was exploited, in a science fiction story by L. Ron Hubbard, the author of "Diane- ties"; Mr. Hubbard exaggerated in his story as he did in his rather humorous book. At the present moment, with the worldly situation being what it is, it appears to be rather strange that Mr. Thomas is worrying about time and space, especially when it looks as if mankind will never get to outer space-being demo- lished by more mankind before the chance for space travel be- comes a realty. Therefore, for the present, Mr. Thomas will have to regard time and space as being slightly infinite .. -Annony Mouse The Week's News 0.. .IN RETROSPECT .. . etteAJ TO THE EDITOR The Daily welcomes communications from its readers on matters of general interest, and will publish all letters which are signed by the writer and in good taste. Letters exceeding 300 words in length, defamatory or libelous letters, and letters which for any reason are not in good taste will be condensed edited or withhe'd from publication at the discretion of the editors. {.- 4, 1 DAILY OFFICIAL BULLETIN (Continued from page 2) Westminster Guild: 9 a.m., Cof- fee and rolls; 9:30 a.m., Seminar in Religion. 5:30 p.m., Guild Sup- per. 6:30 p.m. Program: "Is God Evident?" Lutheran Student Association: Outdoor meeting, supper and wor- ship service will be held at Camp Newkirk. Meet at 5 p.m., Zion Lutheran Parish Hall. Wesley Foundation: 9:30 a.m., Breakfast and Seminar in the Pine Room. 5:30 p.m., Supper. 6:30 p.m., Program. Mrs. Vincent will discuss "Religion in Education." Roger Williams Guild: Supper and discussion. Mr. Carl Doman, National Director of Service for the Ford Motor Company: "Re- ligion and Business." Sigma Gamma Epsilon: Annual picnic, 1:30 p.m., Island. Graduate Outing Club: Meet at 2:15 p.m., northwest corner of Rackham for paper chase and pic- nic. Wear old clothes. Election of officers. All Grads welcome. Inter Arts Union: Meeting 2 p.m., League. Interested persons welcome. U. of M. Hot Record Society: Record program, "The Great Dixie Jazz Bands - Leopold, Davision, and Spanier," League, 8 p.m. Ev- eryone invited. Introducing plans for Interna- tional Girls' House at an Open House held by Boy's International House, 915 Oakland, 4-6 p.m. Boys and girls interested invited. Gilbert & Sullivan Society: Prin- cipal rehearsal at 7 p.m. in the Union. Coming Events University Choir will not meet Mon., Oct. 16. No rehearsal. Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity: All members please contact Steve Falk, 428 Hamilton Pl., Ann Ar- bor (Phone 2-4538). All Phi. Eta Sigma men who have not received their certificates will pick them up at the window in the Administration . Building marked Phi Eta Sigma, Mon., Oct. 16, 2 to 4 p.m. La p'tite causette meets Mon., Oct. 16, at 3:30 p.m. in the Michi- gan League. La Sociedad Hispanica: Social hour, Mon., Oct. 16, 3:45 p.m., League. All those interested in- vited. The Women of the University Faculty will have a dinner meet-j ing Tues., Oct. 17, at 6 p.m. in the dining room of the Michigan League Building. A social hour and welcome to the new members will follow the dinner. Gilbert and Sullivan Society: Recordings of "Iolanthe" will be played at the Hi-Fi Recording Studio, 521 E. Liberty, at 7 p.m., Mon., Oct. 16. Ballet Club: Mon., Oct. 16, 7 p.m. Organizational meeting for old and new members in Dance Studio, Barbour Gymnasium. Men and women students invited. . Industrial Relations Club: Or- ganizational meeting, Mon., Oct. 16, 7:30 p.m., Union. Election of secretary-treasurer and discussion of semester program. New mem- bers are invited. ' Gothic Film Society. Meeting of last year's members, 8 p.m., Mon., Rackham Amphitheatre, for the purpose of scheduling this year's series, and to see GRAND ILLU- SION. (Continued on Page 7) k x'-1 Sixty-First Year Edited and managed by students of the University of Michigan under the authority of the Board in Control of Student Publications. Editorial Staff Jim Brown. ....Managing Editor Paul Brentlinger .........City Editor Rloma Lipsky....... Editorial Director Dave Thomas . Feature Editor JanetyWattsn......... Associate Editor Nancy Bylan.....Associate Editor James Gregory.......Associate Editor Bill Connolly.......... Sports Editor Bob Sandell .. Associate Sports Editor Bill Brenton .. Associate Sports Editor Barbara Jans........Women's Editor Pat Brownson Associate Women's Editor Business Staff Bob Daniels ........ Business Manager Waiter Shapero'Assoc. Business Manager Paul Schaible .... Advertising Manager Bob Mersereau ...... Finance Manager Carl Breitkreitz .. Circulation Manager Telephone 23-24-1 Member of The Associated Press The Associated Press is exclusively entitled to the userfor republication of all news dispatches credited to it or otherwise credited to this newspaper. All rights of republication of all other matters herein are also reserved. Entered at the Post Office at Ann Arbor, Michigan, as second-class mail matter. Subscription during regular sekool year: by carrier, $6.00; by mal, $7.00. BARNABY It was amazing, John. Barnaby chatted on about his imaginary Pixie and he gave Mrs. Givney the whaeidea fr 4ha driva The drive opens Saturday, on "Fairy Godfathers Eve"... Kids leave toys they want to give outsidrithi door for "Pixies" Pop, what should 1 leave out for Mr. O'Malley on Fairy Godfathers Day En I I I i lix I