PAGE roU'TE THE MICHIGAN DAILY SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1950 I II Indo-China Strife r H EYES OF the world are swinging from Korea to Indo-China. They are moving slowly, but they are moving. In this country political and military readers, seeing the short distance between Korea and Indo-China in the turbulent East, are already sending more aid to French forces. Some people even demand that United Nations or our own troops be moved into Viet Nam, most important corner of the territory where Communist leader Ho Chi Minh has Just driven the ruling 'rench forces from the border areas. The only real analogy between the two areas, however, is that they are botl in the Far East. The people of Viet Nam are engaged in a .civillwar. The insurgents are fighting for Ireedom from the French colonial system as fmich as they are fighting for Communism. Many of. Ho Chi Minh's troops were induced. to fight with the promise that a victory would bring them, real independence. The struggle for freedom in Indo-China Is a partof one that is going on through- out Southeastern Asia. It has been growing through the years and came to a head during the Japanese occupation. After the Japanese left, the fight was turned toward colonial rulers. Supposedly, the North Korean invasion was encouraged by Russia. In Indo-China, the shooting was there for Russia to capi- talize on. It had only to keep fuel on fires that had long been burning. It is hard to predict whether the Russians will encourage foreign troops, especially a Chinese army, into the fight in Viet Nam' But they would be foolish if they did. As it is. they can supply Communist, forces in Viet Nain and hope that by doing so they can defeat the French without bringing Editorials published in The Michigan Daily are written by members of The Daily staff and re present- the views of the writers only. NIGHT EDITOR: VERNON EMERSON about another war as happened in Korea. At the same time, the Russians keep the Western powers on edge wondering if Indo- China is.next or not. The danger for the Soviets here is that the West may become so worried about the future of Indo-China that they send In large numbers of forces anyway. The danger for the United States is that it might blunder into sending troops into Viet Nam on the advice of armchair strate- gists. If we sent troops to Viet Nam we would be aiding Russia by weakening our- selves chasing hill fighters around the bor- der areas. Of course we can continue fi- nancial aid and arms to the French and their governments in Indo-China. But they would be wasting dollars on a government the people do not support. The best possible solution seems to be one which Viet Namese leaders and a few Frenchmen-very few-have offered in re- ceht days. This is for the French to aban- don their rule over the area. If need be, we can all but order the French to give the Viet Nam full independence. Perhaps the way to get the French to give up their power peacefully is to suggest that the area be turned over to a UN com- mission which would work with the native government in the early stages of its in- dependence. The commission, which should be predominantly made up of Asiatics who understand the Viet Namese problem, could aid in setting up a popular form of govern- ment. If thought necessary, the commission could use UN forces t9 clear Communists out of the land. But at all costs the United States should not pressure the people in Viet Nam into choosing a form of government subject to American approval. Rather this country should play watchdog against other pow- ers who try to dominate the commission. Unless the United States adopts some clear cut policy such as this toward Indo- China, it can not hope to gain the confidence of the people of the Far East. Only by fol- lowing such a policy can this country prove that it has the interest of Asia at heart as it has declared. -Vernon Emerson. THOMAS L. STOKES: Taft vs. Ferguson COLUMBUS, OHIO - What happens in Ohio's election in which Senator Robert A. Taft's political career is at stake will most certainly have its influence on the Republican party's future course and policy. That is why the. election here has at- tracted perhaps more Interest nationally than that in any other state, both among Democrats and Republicans. The senator has become the symbol of Republican conservatism and restricted in- ternationalism and has been effective in upholding that viewpoint because of his dominant position in Congress where a party's record largely is made. His re-election would continue the pres- tige of that element as well as its power and, at the same time, give it a champion-and perhaps a candidate-in the 1952 Republican convention. His return to office likewise would assure a continuation of the fight within the party between the philosophy he represents and the moderately progressive, more internationalist element. His defeat would strengthen the latter attitude as voiced, among others, by 'Governor Thomas E. Dewey of New York and Governor Earl Warren of California, both also up for re-election this year to third terms. , RE1OVAL OF SENATOR TAFT in an "electionin which he is the No. 1 target of organized labor would tend also, it ap- pears, to strengthen those in the Republican party who would court labor more actively, arid labor has become a potent political force. Itis making perhaps its supreme ef- fort politically in its attempt here to de- feat Senator Taft. If it succeeds, that, of it- self, certainly would have its effect on the formulation of future Republican policy. The issue here is Senator Taft and *'Taftism." His opponent, State Auditor Joseph T. Ferugson, is chiefly the figure- Hershey's Loose ongue DRAMTDIRECTOR Lewis B. Hershey told a 'meeting of the American Veterans Committee that the lowering of the draft age is being "seriously considered." If the age were lowered from the present 19 years to 18, he said, then veterans could be "wholly exempted."° Seriously considered by whom? What right has, Hershey to report this? Who, besides Hershey, thinks that if this is done veterans can be wholly exempted? Who can possibly say, in view of the unpredictable nature of future develop- ments? During World. War II, General Hershey ran around the country making guesses, speculations, predictions, evaluations of the draft. program. :Everything he said was ankiously.weighed by millions of young men who were trying to judge what the future had. in store for them. Many of them made wrong judgments on Hershey's wrong guesses. Hershey is still doing it, and with head of anti-Taftism and suffers by com- parison, a fact in itself that may weigh with many independent voters. Although overshadowed by the Senator, Joe Fer- guson has his own political values in the great host of friends he has made here as State Auditor for 14 years. He has assi- duously cultivated the personal-contact approach that works so well in American politics. Whopping majorities have been its fruits. He is, too, a natively shrewd politician. He eagerly pmecepted the as- signment when the state's bigger figures, including Democratic Governor Frank Lausche, also up for re-election this year, turned down overtures to take on Sena- tor Taft. If, with amiable, folksy Joe Ferguson, Democrats and labor should unhorse the eminent and nationally known Senator, it would be a psychological political stroke that would have its repercussions in the Re- publican party all up and down the line. , That might happen, and nobody is mak- ing any hard and fast predictions with any confidence. The cautious concensus is that the race will be close. Republicans have felt better about Senator Taft's chances in the last few days. Democrats and labor leaders say it depends, as to Joe Ferguson, on how well they get out the vote that they have devoted so much work to registering in Ohio's great industrial centers. The unknown factor is the farmers who turned the trick for Harry Truman in 1948. They are, by and large, contented and prosperous, which might tend to reduce their voting in this off-year election. And they are not talking much. THROUGH THE Republican campaign runs a note of desperation which may or may not be significant. The frantic theme, continually repeated, that the American way of life is in danger and that Senator Taft's retreat would mean the end of the two-party system carries a long-time poli- tical reporter back to the same sort of stuff in the 1936 Republican campaign against Franklin D. Roosevelt. The cry then was, as the campaign progressed, that there were only so many days left to save the American way. Since then, and now: the American way of life seems to be doing all right. Much stress is being laid, too, on the claim that labor has taken over the Demo- cratic party in this state. This is accurate only to the extent that labor preponder- antly supports the Democratic party here, and has adopted political methods long familiar to both major parties. In all of this there. is a suggestion that somehow or other it is not right and proper for workinz people to organize politically and to contribute to the support of candidates who they believe will be interested in their welfare. Despite Republican claims of lavish out- lays of money by labor, it is the view of re- liable persons here familiar with this cam- paign that, in the end, Republican expendi- tures will be substantially greater than those of Democrats and the. CIO and AFL. (Copyright, 1950, by United Feature Syndicate, Inc.) Gubernatorial RFace T HE CAMPAIGN for the governorship of this state has turned into nothing more than a game of hide and seek. Governor Williams, cognizant of the duties and responsibilities of a governor, has been seeking to draw his Republican rival, Harry F. Kelly, into taking stands on the issues which the next governor will likely be called upon to resolve. But Kelly won't say what he thinks about the issues confronting the state. Instead he runs away and attempts to hide behind barrages of charges labeling Williams a dupe of the CIO, a tool of the ADA, and an instrument of every organization left of the Republican Party; all of which is sup- posed to add up to the undeniable fact that Williams is a socialist. Kelly's line of reasoning in trying to convince the voters of these charges is an insult to their intelligence. The barrage Kelly let loose when he spoke in Ann Arbor the other night was typical. This time he warned that Williams is bringing socialism. into Michigan because: Walter Reuther, president of the UAW-CIO has promised to make several campaign appearances with Williams. Reuther had arranged to have Norman Thomas and Tucker P. Smith, So- cialist presidential and vice-presidential candidates in 1948, speak at a recent con- ference at the State CIO Labor Center. Therefore, Kelly concludes, socialism is on the rise in Michigan and Williams is one of its chief expounders. Kelly has stumped the state and the cry, "Socialism!" has been left echoing everywhere he has spoken. The major point in all of Kelly's speeches has been that Williams won't answer his charge that the Governor used to be a member of Americans for Democratic Action, a non-partisan organization of New Deal liberals who occasionally support Republi- cans. "Doesn't that make him guilty of socialism," Kelly shouts. In the meantime, Williams, whom I ven- ture doesn't regret his former ADA affilia- tion, is touring the state and laying his program squarely on the line. Unlike his opponent, Williams is telling the people what he will do if elected-besides being op- posed to Communism. Williams has said that his program-"sees and meets the needs of all the people." It includes help for farmers in marketing their crops, higher old age assistance, pro- tection of small business, adequate school aid and an immediate road-building pro- gram. In spite of Kelly, Williams has assert- ed that he believes In encouragement of individual initiative and private enterprise. By refusing to say anything definite about what he intends to do about particu- lar state problems, Kelly is asking the elec- torate to buy a cat in a sack. On the other hand, Williams is offering a progressive program in keeping with the needs of the times. The choice should not be hard to make. -Paul Marx. CIINIEMA At The Orpheum .. . ERIC-FRAC starring Fernandel, Ar- letty and Michel Simon with sub-titles. FRENCH FILMS have become synonymous with sex, have been ballyhooed as siz- zling with gallic Juice, and have subsequent- ly enjoyed great popularity. This movie, however, falls far short of either living up to the high standards of such films as "Gigi" or even providing the vicarious thrills that its advertising promises. The film boasts three great French stars, all of whom turn in excellent characteriza- tions. But the plot drags and drags, and still the film flickers on the screen. Fric Frac, "only the French have a word for it," concerns itself with a simple thug, a lady of the streets and a naive jewelry maker who pushes himself upon them and is wel- comed with open arms as a lush of the great tradition. Fernandel, as the jeweler, and Michel Simon as the thug are the redeeming fac- tors of the picture. Arletty's portrayal though good, is of little significance. Fernandel, who provided the answers in a recently published photographic ques- tion book, has a face like a horse that he skillfully contorts to gain the maximum of expression. He is a combination of Milton Berle, Bob Hope, Bert Lahr and then some. Every detail of his body, a finger, an eyelash, is used effectively to convey the humor of the situation. A movie goer who does not understand French has the choice of either watching Fernandel closely or trying to catch the sub titles. If you can do both you are fortu- nate. if you cannot, watch Fernandel. Michel Simon as the thug is another ex- ceedingly homely person stumbling and pro- testing his way through the film, adding a touch of warm humour whenever he ap- pears. To watch him swill down a glass of wine in the drunk scene is by itself an aesthetic pleasure. Arletty, who is what the boys have come to see, performs competently and provides occasion for several of the "gee-whizzy" lines. "Halloo-Listen, Folks-Can You Hear Me?--" i " Tt. af" o - a 9 Pw4^ { . 7 Xetep9 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 withheld from publication at the discretion of the editors. Election To the Editor: WILL not vote Republican in the November 7 election because the Republicans helped formulate the present Teachers' Retirement Plan of Michigan. At least, that is what Harry Kelly, the Republican candidate for governor and self- styled friend of education claims. The Teachers' Retirement Plan as it now stands provides for one half pension for teachers who have taught at least fifteen years, pro- vided that they are fifty years of age or older at the time of retire- ment. Since I had planned to make teaching my life work, I started teaching when I was young and was considerably under the age limit of fifty years when I retired after seventeen years of service. I am sure that there are hundreds of such former teachers who serv- ed at least fifteen years in the schools ofsMichigan but who were forced to retire through no fault of their own before they reached the age of fifty. Under the present re- tirement plan they and I have nothing to look forward to. What puzzles me is why was the age limit imposed? Surely no school board hires a new teacher at the age of thirty- five. Was it to favor the teacher who withdrew early, perhaps to branch into other fields, and then returned to teaching? If that is the reason, it is a very shallow one. Surely the servant who work- ed a long grind' in one stretch is just as worthy of consideration. As I said before, the Republi- cans are taking credit for the pre- sent retirement set-up. I shall vote Democratic. -Elina Heikkinen More on 'Nevsky' a . . To the Editor: PERHAPS W. J. Hampton (I dare not address the person as 'Mr.5' for if I should misjudge 'its' sex - O, what conclusion Mr. Kraus' meticulous mind might draw!) could not help but feel that my thinking is sloppy. What is read by a sloppy reader will be sloppy. Because I do not take the time and space to state my own criti- cisms of NEVSKY, Hampton reads this as demonstrating my "wistful reluctance to find anything wrong with Russian films." This is a gross non sequitur which goes be- yond innocent sloppiness to indi- cate a malicius will to misconstrue when it is remembered that I ex- plicitly stated that I did not think NEVSKY to be without faults. The hysteric principle Hampton's whole letter is based on is that inless your attacks on the Russians out- weigh what you say in their favor, it is thereby demonstrated that you are one with them. This kind of logic, to use his own phrase, scares hell ot of me." To Mrs. Greenhut's -rticism that NEVSKY typically reflected modern Russian anti-individual - ism, I objected that in the period the film depicted, individualism could nardly have been widespread. From this Hampton somehow in- fers that I assume that a oicture "about the 13th Century . . must necessarily reflect 13th Century attitudes." My obvious point, how- ever, was merely that if in fact a movie does represent an his- torical truth (and please do not1 infer that I think NEVSKY co be{ an objective study of history), then the critic has no business saying that the representation is but a, manifestation of 20th Century Russian attitudes. Historical per-, version might be so interpreted, not historical truth. Again Hampton utterly misses, or rather perverts, my point that{ NSVSKY's devil portrait of the en-{ emy is no different in kind thanj that found in our own war films.] From this he (she) infers that I am thereby justifying this kind of] blind nationalism. All I was ac-, tually doing was showing that such is not typically Russian, as Mrs.1 Greenhut would have us believe,; any more than it is typically Amer-] ican. In close, I suggest that Hampton refrain from criticising other peo- ple's thinking until he or she can' read and reason well enough to' know what the other people are thinking. -J. G. Barense . . . Drama Criticism . . To the Editor: AM very interested in Strowan1 Robertson's criticism of "Light Up The Sky." I saw the play on Thursday night, and enjoyed im- mensely what I thought was skill- ful comedy presented with good timing and delightful characteri- zation. In my opinion, the performance was sparked by the expert inter- pretation of a difficult character by the charmingly talented lead, Miss Harriet Bennett, and by the acting of Miriam ;tevine as a wonderfully candid\, uninhibited wench. "Vulgar," Mr. Robertson means "pertaining to the common people"-which is certainly an ap- propriate evaluation of Frances' character. If you meant Miss Le- vine's characterization was ob- scene or profane, remembe that that obscenity and profanity are mental attitudes. "Light Up The Sky" is broad, sophisticated com- edy with no "message" unless it's "have fun!" It should especially appeal to a critic whose reviews are patent emulations of sophis- ticated Broadway columnists. For the enlightenment of The Daily's reviewer, Dale Stevenson played the part of director; George Hafford is the neophyte author to whom Robertson refers. The audience applied many lau- datory adjectives to the tastefully designed furniture; I can recall no one but Robertson describing as "cheesy"-a term held in high esteem by all adolescents. Had the set been as tawdry as Robert- son thought it, nevertheless it would have been overshadowed by the superlative acting. The most successful and intelli- gent reviews are written by critics who can distinguish between clearly defined characters, who remember which are the lead rdles, and who can offer relevant and constructive criticism. Robertson in his review has done none of these things. In the face of that and of the favorable audience re- action evident on Thursday night, It is safe to say that the criticism was inaccurate and unjust. The attitude that "if The Daily 'panned' it, it must be pretty good" is becoming increasingly prevalent -cf. the review of Lauritz Mel- chior and those of several good movies. Therefore, Robertson's re- view will not hurt the box-office; by its awkward and rather puerile condemnations, it will hurt only the hard-working cast and staff. It is a pity that these people should be needlessly insulted be- cause Robertson's criterion of cri- tical excellence is a poor imitation of Wolcott Gibbs. I suggest that Robinson, having gotten things off his chest, buy a ticket to "Light Up The Sky," and try again. -Jas. E. Brodhead HI * * * Ten-Cent Program . . To the Editor: ALONG WITH chrysanthemums, whiskey flasks, and hoarse. voices, student hawks, and the ten-cent program have been one of the established features of football afternoons as far back as any senior can remember. The cardboard scorecard has not only enabled more people to enjoy the football games, but its sale has provided a substantial source of income for wholesalers and re-! tailers as well. The City Council 'of Ann Arbor, by virtue of its recent strict en- forcement of its new "no license, no vending" policy, has effective- ly throttled the ten-cent program trade here on campus, The rule has been on the books since the start of this semester that all ven- dors of any sort must have special licenses to sell on Ann Arbor streets, with the cost to transient salesmen, as the program hawks are classified, being seven dollars per afternoon. Up to last week this rule has been the object of a salutary neglect with view to students, but last Saturday, as was explained in the Daily a few days back, the ,police clamped down, handing out summons to every person they could nab sell- ipg without a license. The reason given for the ac- tion was that the hawks consti- tuted\ a serious traffic proglem. Now, if this is true, the Council has every right to act the way it did, for the protection of life and limb against accident is a prime function of a city. The question is, of course, whether this is the real reason for the Council's move. Logically speaking, I cannot see how a student, selling programs on a street-corner in any way at all is a traffic hazard. It seems that the people in charge of traffic during football games cannot see how this could be true either, for in the recent Daily article on traffic problems in Ann Arbor, the danger of student salesmen was conspicuous by the absence of mention. Perhaps there is another, more sinister meaning to be found. The stopping of the sale of the dime program would materially benefit one class of people, that being the University men interested in the sale of the "official fifty cent football program." With the dime card out of existence, many people interested in following the game closely would be forced to pur- chase the fifty cent jobs, thuspre- sulting in increased profits. Of course I have- no way of knowing whether the gentle hand of the University was pulling the curtain down on the dime program, and any accusations on my part would be both silly and unfair. What I do say is that the action looks at its best extremely suspicious, and unless some valid reason is brought forth for the action, I think that I'd have grounds for assuming that a grave injustice has been done University students and football guests, and this pol- icy should be reversed in the near- est future. -Robert Bard * * - Ten-Cent Programs .®. To the Editor: ARE THE days of the ten-cent football program gone for- ever, gone like the five-cent cigai and the nickel beer? If they are, and it certainly does look like it for no single salesman can afford seven dollars per Saturday to sell the programs nor can any whole- saler afford to provide eacn sales- man with a seven dollar license each week, then either the city of Ann Arbor is abusing those (thou being the University of Michig< students) who keep it prospero or else the university itself ha, just gone one step further in it, policy of turning football into on big business. If the first alternative is the right one, then 20,000 students ar pouring money into a city whicl is using this money to support police force which is putting some of these very students out of bus.- ness. If the other possibility is actual. ly the case, that is, the university's using the city to rid the cement and sward about the stadium of all competition to their fifty-cent pro- gram business, then it is time for the students to raise a mass pro- test against so undemocratic an action. The fifty-cent program is fine for the once or twice-a-year spec- tator, but we students who go to the stadium every football Satur- day deserve the right to purchase a ten-cent program instead of a fifty-cent ."monster." And what of the wholesalers and sellers? I personally know quite a few fellows who print those dime programs up in order to keep themselves in school. Where do they go from here? Then there are the "little men," the sellers, who peddle football programs on Satur- days in order to have spending money for the next week. Is it the city of Ann Arbor or the University of Michigan? Which- ever it be, the end result is the same. You can't tell the players without a program, and you can't get a program without losing fifty cents. And what is even worse, many students are losing their means of support. I say let's bring back. the ten- cent program. Don't lt it go'the way of the five-cent cigar and the inickel beer. -Hal Herman * * * German Armament ... To the Editor AS A GERMAN journalist staying in this country on a visitors- trip only, I would not Interfere in the correspondence between Mr. Olsen and Mr. John Neufeld, con- cerning the suggested rearmament of Germany, had the letter of M. Neufeld not contained some funda- mental errors which cannot remain uncontradicted and thereby cor- rected. It seems somewhat strange that in 'the entire debate about whether the Germans should or should not have a share in the European defense plans, the people involved were not questioned at all so far whether they were willing to contribute to the defense of Western Europe. Mr. Neufeld apparently takes it for granted that the Germans want to become soldiers again by stating that "their contribution should consist of manpower." He would be surprised how many peo- ple in Germany are opposed to militarism. The greatest error however is committed by the bold prediction that "the Germans will help to defend geographical, not political boundaries,the Rhine, not the zonal frontiers." Mr. Neufeld hardly could find one German who would agree with this strategic theory, as there remains little of Germany to be defended west of the Rhine river. It would be al- most the same thing to say that the United States will be defended at the Sacramento River in Cali- fornia against a potential enemy attacking from the East Coast. If there is any European defense in which Germans are urged to par- ticipate, it must include all Ger- many, not only fragments of it. -Richard Sperber. 'PINIONS cannot survive if' one has no chance to fight for them. -Thomas Mann Sixty-First Year Edited and managed by students of the University of- Michigan under tlye authority of the Board in Control of Student Publications. Editorial Staff Jim Brown..........Managing Editor Paul Brentlinger..........City Editor Roma Lipsky ......... Editorial Director Dave Thomas.........Feature Editor Janet Watts.........Associate Editor Nancy Bylan........Associate Editor James Gregory........ Associate Editor Bill Conn olly............Sports Editor Bob Sandell. Associate Sports Editor Bill Brenton. Associate Sports Editor Barbara Jans........Women's Editor Pat Browr,-- Associate Women's Editor 'ess Staff ...Business Manager a\ssoc. Business Manager .Advertising Manager .erereau........Finance Manager Carl"Breitkreitz....Circulation Manager Telephone 23-24-1 Member of The Associated Pre.ss The Associated Press is exclusively entitled to the use for republication of all news dispatches credited to it or otherwise credited to this newspaper. All rights of republication of all othaer matters herein are also reserved. Entered at the Post Office at Ann Arbor. Michigan as second-class mail matter. Subscription during regular school .year: by carrier, $6.00; by mail, $7.00. BARNABY f You're sure that crate is tied on tightly? It won't fall off, will it? HEY! STER7[ -Busted wide open Jack mork when it fell off-- (77ZTi Want us to help you catch her, Mister?- LA i~t-A - -