THE MICHIGAN DAILY WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8, 1951 Icy Paris Parley SPRING IN, Paris is supposedly a mellow season-one that melts anything cold. But even Paris' spring charm has been un- able to warm up the wall of ice that exists between the East and West. One of the coolest aspects of the cold war is taking place at the Deputy Foreign Ministers con- ference. It is also one of the most discour- aging. To the few who felt that a meeting of representatives of the Big Four might end the stalemate between the Western Pow- ers and Russia, the present conference is a great disappointment. The whole problem is an old one. We want to talk about Europe in general, Rus- sia wants to talk about Germany in particu- lar. So far neither side has given way, and there doesn't seem to be much ground in which to maneuver. Our plan of studying the whole problem- including Germany-perhaps seems a com- promise itself. This should give the Rus- sians plenty of space to build up an attack against the Allied position. But Russia wants to pin-point her discussion by mak- ing German disarmament the central issue. If Russia's agenda is accepted she stands to gain greatly. By urging that there be no rearmament of Germany-Russia may split the Western bloc. France has been particu- larly doubtful about the outcome of re- militarization of Germany. Further, by demanding that occupation forces be withdrawn from Germany, and that the country be unified, the Russians would have another strong talking point. German pressure itself for reunification might be stirred up greatly. Previously Germany seemed to be the key to peace between East and West. Now, how- ever, it is evident that it has become but a political chessman for the great powers. Ending our occupation of Germany as Rus- sia desires would give the Communists great- er access to West Germany's industry, and perhaps eventual political control of the whole country. But continued occupation and separation means that Germany will remain a festering sore spot in Europe. What the long-run outcome of the Ger- man problem will be is a question mark. It probably won't be answered by the pro- posed conference of Foreign Ministers or even a meeting of Stalin and Truman. Whichever agenda the present Paris con- ference adopts, the meeting is but another dismal display of the old story of non-coop- eration on both sides. -Vernon Emerson Hiss Verdict ALGER HISS is now in prison, serving five years for lying when he stated that he never gave government secrets to a Com- munist spy ring. Undoubtedly the outcome of this case will vindicate the actions of the House Un-American Activities Committee. Hiss was a completely trusted top offi- cial of the United States government. He was confidential advisor to the late Presi- dent Roosevelt at the Yalta conference. Hiss held the highly responsible position of Secretary-General of the United Na- tions charter conference at San Francisco in 1945. When Hiss was first charged by the Com- mittee, President Truman called the investi- gation a "red herring." Later, Secretary of State Acheson said that he would "not turn his back" on Hiss. Supreme Court Justices Reed and Frankfurter were character wit- nesses at this man's first trial. But, in the end, the Supreme Court refused to review the decision of the federal court. Today, all the condemnation of the Un- American Activities Committee for "head- line hunting," "character assassination," and "guilt by association" seems unimpor- tant. These phrases could themselves be called "smear." They only attempt to cover Alger Hiss' treasonous acts and hamper use- ful committee investigations. Regardless of its motives, the Committee has performed a valuable service for the American people. In its quest, whether for truth or headlines, it found Alger Hiss had been a dangerous weak link in our security. But more important, the Committee has dramatized to the American people the con- stant danger of Communist infiltration into the very core of our government. Alger Hiss' lonely cell marks the end of the most shocking trial of a man in high public office in modern American history. But the political implications of this case will continue to be felt in years to come. In the future Americans will probably not view the actions of the Un-American Activi- ties Committee as a witch hunt. They will think of the members of the Committee as neither heroes nor villians. In future years only Alger His4 will be remembered, a bril- liant man who betrayed the trust of both his closest friends and his fellow Americans. -Bruce Cohan 1'C F ~:,, .; I;' _, etteP4 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 writex and in good taste. Letters exceeding 300 words in length, defari.ate y w libelous letters, and letters which for any reason are not in good taste wil be condensed, edited or withheld from publication at the discretion of editors. h DORIS FLEESON: American Ministers Meeting J r i A 1 J / 1 i 1 i i 1 l l WASHINGTON - From amid his sea of troubles President Truman can look this week into at least one direction which sustains his hope to be recognized by his- tory as a statesman of peace. The President personally is welcoming the unprecedented conference of 20 foreign ministers of Latin America who are going to diiscuss here how to stay good neigh- bors in the tense world situation before crises arise instead of afterward. The ministers will speak for 300,000,000 people and a host of strategic materials vitally necessary for the preparedness programs going forward here and in Europe. Mr. Truman has visited several of their countries and had happy times there. He has not made the kind of impression that would diminish his personal stature. In inviting the conference here, the administration has moved in the direction of giving Latin Am- erica equal stature with our North Atlantic partners, which is good for their pride. Speaking generally, the principal Latin- American grievance against the United States is that, while billions were poured in- to UNRRA and then into Marshall Plan aid for Europe and the Far East, there was no Marshall Plan for them. The major U.S. complaint against Latin America as a whole is that none of them have sent troops to the Korean war for which they voted in the United Nations. The biggest specific cloud from the Ameri- can point of view is Argentine President Pe- ron's suppression of the great newspaper, La Prensa, with violence and bloodshed. Ed- ward G. Miller, Jr., assistant Secretary of State for inter-American affairs, has said plainly this makes U.S.-Argentine relations difficult. The Argentine's young foreign minister, Hipolito Jesus Paz, has already told a press conference in effect that it was none of our business. The press here naturally does not accept that view and found Mr. Paz hard to take in a manner too reminiscent of the late Mr. Hitler's spokesmen here. Editorials published in The Michigan Daily are written by members of 'The Daily staff and represent the views of the writers only. NIGHT EDITOR: CHUCK ELLIOTT [ MUSIC ONCE MORE I bear my battered chalice through a throng of foes.' Last evening the Stanley Quartet pre- sented the second, and unfortunately the last,. in a series of recitals devoted to the chamber music of Schubert. And devotion, skill, and love made the performances of Schubert's Quartet in A Minor, the Quartet Movement irC Minor, and the Trout Quintet three of the most memorable musical events of the season. Several wonderful details stood out in the performance of the A Minor Quartet: the fine restraint with which the theme of the first movement was played; the realizing of the expressive importance of inner parts; and the way a careful balance was main- tained between the lyrical and dramatic parts of the work This last quality also informed the playing of the Quartet Move- ment in C Minor, a work which alternates passages of crchestal strength with passages of lyric gentleness. Here, as in the A Minor Quartet, the contrasts were handled with mperlative contrpl. I am convinced that this control, both of dramatic effects and of phrasing, is one of the great problems in the playing of Schubert. One could feel in the way Mr. Ross played the opening melody of The State Department's present plans are to let the press and other private channels take care of these matters in their own way, figuring they will man- age to impress upon the conference what Americans really think about them. Since nothing can come up for conference dis- cussion without unanimous consent, La Prensa could not be directly handled there anyway. There is plenty of other work to be done: economic cooperation, which is more diffi- cult because of inflation here; military aid both for hemispheric defense and in Korea, and internal security against Communism. The administration is frankly a little fear- ful that Peron's Argentina may prove diffi- cult; it is optimistic about the others. (Copyright, 1951, by the Bell Syndicate, Inc.) ON THE Washington Merry-Go-Round with DREW PEARSON -RAILROAD STRIKE IMPASSE- ONLY ONE issue has been holding up settlement of the long, bitter railroad strike-namely, the role of Presidential assistant John Steelman as mediator. The railroads want the likeable ex-Alabama college professor to arbitrate future differences, but the Railroad Brotherhoods want someone else. One reason that labor won't accept Steelman is a secret memo that was intercepted from S. H. Pulliam to B. B. Bryant, who are handling the strike negotiations for the Chesapeake and Ohio Rail- road. This secret memo declares: "The rules will be Steelman's in- terpretations which are pretty much the same as the railroads'." (NOTE-Steelman, a former labor mediator, used to be popular with labor before he entered the White House. Now he has a slight grandeur complex, hankers to be head of the New York Stock Ex- change. .* * *. M ATTE ae 0F FACT7 11 By STEWART ALSOP A MAN HUNT WASHINGTON-The story of the last days of Vlado Clementis, former For- eign Minister of Czechoslovakia, before he was arrested as a traitor can now be told. It is a revealing story, for it demonstrates dramatically the extent to which hidden terror and the fear of sudden betrayal now pervade the whole Soviet empire. Clementis has been a fanatical Com- munist all his life. Yet in the course of his Communist career he made one mistake which has now proved his undoing. For a few months he was a "premature anti- fascist," making anti-Nazi broadcasts from London to his own country, while Hitler and Stalin were still formally allied. This was deviationism, and the Kremlin never forgets. Late in 1949, while Clementis was in this country representing his government at the United Nations, reliable reports that the Kremlin had demanded the liquidation of Clementis were published in this space. Cle- mentis denounced these reports as lies, and was photographed arm in arm with a smil- ing Andrei Vishinsky. Clementis was in fact wholly aware that he was in danger. But Czech President Klement Gottwald, a close personal friend of long standing, had sent his wife to New York with assurances that if Clementis returned he would be spared. Trusting his friend's word, Clementis made the fateful decision to go back. He was soon dismissed as Foreign Min- ister, which he must have expected. But he was not arrested. He was installed in- stead in a minor job as economic adviser in the state bank. Yet as the Kremlin, acting through such trusted agents as par- ty secretary Rudolf Slansky, tightened its grip on Czechoslovakia, the protection of Gottwald became increasingly worthless. The Kremlin is never satisfied with half measures, and early this year word came to Clementis thatrhe had been marked for the slaughter. He could save himself only by escaping. He and his brother-in-law, Dr. Daniel Okali, Slovak Minister of the Interior and also a lifelong Communist, hatched a plan. Ostensibly to discuss the export of wood pulp with Okali, Clementis would fly to Bratis- lava, the Slovak capital. Okali had a govern- ment plane at his disposal, and in this the two men would escape to Western Germany, with Tito's Belgrade their ultimate objective. AT THE LAST moment, Clementis became aware that he was being watched. He changed his plan, evading the secret police and taking a slow train for Bratislava, in- stead of the plane. The train stopped over drawn too tight, and to cross the border without help proved impossible. Evident- ly, Clementis decided to play a last des- perate card. The local Communist leader in the smaller town of Znaim, near the border, was an old comrade in arms from the pre-war days. Perhaps he might help. He reached Znaim undetected, and saw his friend in his office in the morning. His friend stood by him, and told him to re- turn at 5:00 o'clock that afternoon, when arrangements for his escape into East Aus- tria would be complete. Clementis passed the intervening hours at a motion picture, and returned promptly at 5:00 o'clock. * * * THIS WAS THE end of the trail. His Com- munist friend had been watched and had already been arrested. In his office, Clementis found the secret police waiting for him. President Gottwald, all real power now stripped from him, promptly denounced Clementis, to whom he had been closer than any other man, as a traitor and a spy, in order to save his own skin. Thus the end came for Vlado Clementis, who is dead now or as good as dead. This story, which is certainly accurate in outline, of the last days of the former Czech Foreign Minister, is worth pon- dering, especially now when it so often seems that moral decay has overtaken the American republic. The American system may produce its Costellos, but at least it produces no spectacle comparable to that of a man who had been Foreign Minister only a few months before zigzagging frantically, like a rabbit pursued by hounds, in a desperate effort to escape his country. Surely the endless bloody ferreting out of old Communist after old Communist which has been going on for so many years now argues a terrible weakness in the power structure of the Communist world. Surely the fear which Clementis must have felt as his pursuers closed in on him must be felt also, and always, by his pursuers, whose turn is so likely to come next. (Copyright, 1951, New York Herald Tribune Inc.) A 4f. -FORRESTAL'S DIARY- THE DEFENSE DEPARTMENT has recently been urged to release the private diary of the late Secretary of Defense, James Forrest- al, and to that end an edited version was sent to the Joint Chiefs of Staff for approval. However, they dropped it like a hot potato. Some of the hot spots that caused the joint chiefs to keep the diary suppressed are: Forrestal told how he came close to firing then Secretary of the Air Force Symington in the spring of 1948 for an unauthorized, pro- air force speech on the West coast. Forrestal also complained of his troubles getting the three serv- ices to agree on war strategy and a defense budget. Twice he ap- pealed to General Marshall to support increases in the military bud- get. The first time, Marshall was Secretary of State and favored priorities for foreign aid instead. The second time Marshall urged that the extra money be spent for Universal Military Training. Forrestal also wrote bitterly of his distrust of the French and British. The diary has now gone back to the custody of the President's naval aide, Rear Adm. Robert L. Dennison. *,'* * * -SLOW ARMS SHIPMENTS- BRITAIN'S NEW Foreign Minister Herbert Morrison has complained to the American Embassy that U.S. arms shipments are slow in arriving in Britain. Morrison told Ambassador Walter Gifford, former head of Am- erican Telephone and Telegraph, that shipments are so far behind schedule that it is jeopardizing British plans to expand its army. Morrison also apologized that - his first official contact since taking over as foreign minister had to do with a complaint. But he emphasized that American arms are a matter of extreme urgency for Britain if the West is to plan a successful defense against Communism. * * * * -WHERRY IS WILLING- GENIAL SENATOR WHERRY of Nebraska secretly tried to launch a Wherry-for-President boom the other day. But it has boomer- anged. Wherry arranged to send a form letter to GOP national com- mitteemen recommending himself "as the party's Presidential candi- date." The letter went out under the signature of Republican state chairman David Martin of Kearney, Nebraska-supposedly without Wherry's knowledge, but actually upon Wherry's orders. The letter also included a copy of a speech, plugging Wherry, which was delivered at the Nebraska GOP convention by delegate George Tunison. What the letter neglected to mention, however, is that Tunison is Wherry's campaign manager. The great Presidential boom now seems to have fizzled and the Senator from Nebraska has gone back to his job of herding the GOP flock on the Senate floor, which he does well. * * * * -INSIDE THE KOREAN WAR- H ERE'S A BRIEF round-up on recent unpublished facts in the Kor- ean war: we expected to cut off 60,000 enemy troops by dropping paratroopers behind the lines, but significantly the paratroopers ran into little opposition .. . Until last week, very few Communist Chinese had been spotted crossing the Yalu River into Korea. However, last week, large Chinese troop movements were observed crossing the Yalu. Troop trains are now rolling toward the front, and the Air Force is shooting them up at the rate of eight to ten per day. Some have been loaded with high explosives that have shot 5,000 feet into the air .. . The most interesting report cabled by Gen. Charles Willoughby, Chief of MacArthur's intelligence, is that the North Koreans seemed to be getting plenty of Russian arms, including field artillery, but the Chi- nese are getting nothing. The heaviest Chinese weapon is still the mortar, and Willoughby reports that no Russian weapons have been captured from Chinese units .'. .. Perhaps the alliance between Mos- cow and Peiping isn't working as well as the headlines indicate. (Copyright, 1951, by the Bell Syndicate, Inc.) Faculty Politics..*. To the Editor: HERE IN Ann Arbor we have a long tradition of University faculty participation in partisan politics in various capacities. The service which faculty members have given to both politicaL parties here has been almost universally respected and appreciated by the community. Nor is Ann Arbor alone in this tradition. The President of Mich- igan State Normal College recent- ly keynoted a Republican conven- tion and Edgar Waugh of the MSNC faculty is now the Demo- cratic candidate for State Supt. of Public Instruction. i This is no longer true at Michi- gan State, however. The State Board of Agriculture which gov- erns MSC recently issued an edict prohibiting faculty members from participating in partisan politics. Still more recently, under pres- sure from the AAUP and the cam- paign speeches of the Democratic candidates, Mrs. Raymond Starr and Hiram Sackett, the ruling was modified to allow faculty members to run for office if they either re- sign or take a leave of absence without pay. (Without being fac- etious about either faculty salar- ies or the cost of living, can we really say this is much of a change?) The Board's public and very no- ble justification for the action was to prevent MSC from being "iden- tified with partisan politics." Of course, when you fill in the facts that five out of the six Board members are Republicans and that the only recent candidate for a major office was a Democrat, there will always be a few cynics who question where the partisan- ship lies, and who maintain that the only way to make MSC non- partisan is to elect two more Democrats to make the Board bi- partisan. If, as a matter of principle, you agree with the MSC ban on politi- cal activity, your course of action is simple. You simply stay home and let the Republicans coast in on election day by default. Should you feel that the action of the Republican - dominated Board is itself partisan, is a typi- cal Communist tactic, or is inimi- cal to a free educational system, you will have no trouble finding Sackett and Starr in the' Demo- cratic column next Monday. -Tom Walsh * * * Government . To the Editor: W HILE WE ARE quick to note the obvious in the Kefauver investigations and to decry the corruption found among govern- mental officials, are we not also failing to recognize our own per- sonal responsibility for the mal- feasance and nonfeasance that has been revealed by the Kefauver committee? The essence of a democracy is that the people will elect and the leaders will be directly responsible to the people. But this ideal prin- ciple is never completely practiced in this country. The citizens have to be begged by pleas to their pa- tAotic and, more effective yet, to their self interests to vote on elec- tion days. Even then an election is considered successful if 50 per cent of the electorate vote. And how do they vote? Generally by party label. True some voters may have formed definite opinions on the individual candidates for the principal office, at stake but they forget to inform themselves as to the candidates for the lesser of- fices on the ballot. It is these minor officials generally who are the first to corrode. Once elected what check does the average American make on the elected official? Generally none unless some accomplishment or sin of this office holder is brought to attention via three i n c h eight column headlines. When corruption is found .we pi- ously manifest great indignation. What in heaven's name permitted this condition to dev9lop? Public indifference! The honest and quietly industriousoffice holder runs the constant threat that at the next election the people, not even knowing his name much less the quality of his work, will re- ward him by giving his seat to, some demagogue like Messrs. But- ler and McCarthy. We are so eas- ily fooled by slogans and name calling. It appears to be a popular Am- erican concept that a man whc announces his intent to ente' pu4b- lic life is either a crook or fol. He is subject to ridicule ar.d sus- picion before he even gets his name on the ballot. Ous little minds and our jealousies d stroy ambitions and ideals befor" they are even given a chance to flower. Unfortunately we have too few honest and able men who will put their nation's needs above their personal fears and seek public of- fice. It is a great man indeed who has the courage to fight public indifference and worse, ridicule and who is willing to suffer the financial as well as physical and mental punishment that iunfor- tunately attends faithful perform- ance of public duty. Ask. Dean Acheson. The Kefauver committee has exposed more than just a f w' wretched thieves atdthe politi al pork barrel. I wonder if we re intelligent enough to recogn ze our own individual responsibil y' for dishonest government and o" recognize further the seds .f democracy's destruction? -Chester J. Byrn Union Referendum.. To the Editor: HAVING BEEN ON camp s sie early 1947, I have heard m h discussion about Michigan Un n policies, but seen little dons Feeling that some action sho d be taken and that a definite - pression of student opin on is needed to guide the Union's Boa d, I have submitted to the chairn of the Board of Directors of e Union, two proposals for ref r- endum this spring. These proposals are: 1. "Should the present Michigan Union policy of denying women the use of the front door be eliminat- ed?" 2. "Should the Union cafeteria be open full time to escorted women?" If you are interested in seeing' these proposals placed on the spring ballot, I urge that yo~ com- municate your views to the Un on vice-president representing youtr college or school. ); -John J. I Handy Plan . To the Editort Duffey' R I S A REGULAR inhabitant of Angell Hall, I wish to +xpr ss t my appreciation to that unkno n agency which has so obligin ly placed plans of the new Lit ch oI1" building by all the windows t at offer a view of the constructi n. By increasing the understand g of the spectator this little p n makes the act of watching r rich-. er and deeper experience. --Clayton Bredt ol 4r _j 1A Iid tn atI 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...g.........Managin Editor Paul Brentlinger ......City Editor Roma Lipsky .........Editorial Director Dave Thomas . ..........Featur# Editor V Janet Watts ...........Associate Editor Nancy Bylan . . ........ Associate Editor James Gregory . .Associate Editor Bill Connolly............SporSS Editor . Bob Sandell .... Associate Sports Editor Bill Brenton .... Associate Sports Editor Barbara Jans..........Women E or Pat Brownson Associate Women's Ed for Business Staff Bob Daniels .........Business 'Manager Walter Shapero Assoc. Business Manager Paul Schaible .....Advertising :tanager Bob Mersereau.....Finance Manager Bob Miller ... ....Circulation Manager Telephone 23-24-1 Member of The Associated Press The Associated Press is exc iusively entitled to the use for repu"ication of all news dispatches credite? t it or otherwise credited to this - wapaper. All rights of republication of e!1 other matters herein are also reserve., Entered at the Post Office at Ann Arbor, Michigan as second- a mail matter. Subscription during regular school year: by carrier, $6.00; by mail, $7.00. Looking Back 10 YEARS AGO PRESIDENT RUTHVEN told a Chicago alumni group that, "There should be no curtailment in educational training as the nation plans its defense program." * * * BARNABY M Soehow, Me? Angry? At o myi th? At a preposterous 1 IHow sca Tnnsse Hnnss I I i