PAGEFOU3t
THE MICHIGAN DAILY
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBElt S, 1951
~AGE FOUR WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1951 THE MICHiGAN DAILY
Morning Religion
THE NEW YORK STATE Regents' propos-
al to incorporate daily prayers and pro-
grams stressing the "moral and spiritual
heritage" of the United States into the pub-
lic school agenda is another example of
shortsighted nationalism which has been
cramping our true national heritage for
many months past.
A misguided devise for fighting the cold
war enemy, it ranks with loyalty oaths,
text-book banning, McCarthyism and hys-
teria as a weapon.
At best, such a negative program could
accomplish nothing. One need only consider
the most basic principle of modern educa-
tion, to provide the child with meaningful
learning experiences, and try to apply it to
a daily prayer ritual. This could not be done
without the aid of explanation and study,
for children must understand why people
pray before prayer will mean anything to
them. But the public schools would be tread-
ing on impassible ground if they tried such .
a study program. It could never be non-
sectarian enough to please enough people.
Especially overlooked are the Americans
who either profess to atheism or worship
an entity other than the Judaic-Christian
God. They might rightly resent their chil-
Editorials printed in The Michigan Daily
are written by members of The Daily staff
and represent the views of the writer only.
This must be noted in all reprints.
NIGHT EDITOR: DONNA HENDLEMAN
dren taking part in any indoctrination
program.
Prayer without a program however, would
soon cause the children to adopt a multipli-
cation table drill-attitude towards the whole
matter. Since the teacher would be open to
censure for any answer she might make to
the curious, pupils would be taught to ac-
cept without wondering out loud.
This entire argument against school
prayer is based, of course, on the Consti-
tutional ban against church and state.
Attempts to take this ban lightly in the
recent past have met with concerted ef-
forts to protect it. The recent Supreme
Court McCullom decision has backed these
efforts up with ofificial sanction.
Mrs. McCullom fought and won against
released time programs for religious instruc-
tion. Those who might fight inclusion of a
prayer program in the regular school day
would have even a stronger case to present.
But the most disheartening fallacy in the
regents' program is the confusion of God
with Godliness. The latter is an essence
which should automatically be included in
any school program.
It does not come through rote prayer or
special "heritage" programs. It is some-
thing which is lived and can be taught
only through experience. A universal con-
cept which comes under many names and
transcends any man-made national boun-
daries, it includes simply fair play, a sense
of humor, decency and individual worth.
It is the thing most missed in the world
today. But it will not be fostered by mechan-
ical devises like the one proposed.
-Donna Hendleman
Election
Scapegoat
A PECULIARITY of presidential election
years is that it finds the administration
making a great plea for "morality in poli-
tics" and furiously purging its own ranks of
any odious elements. This is almost always
true of parties which have held the presi-
dential chair for an extended period, and
more particularly true of the present Demo-
cratic administration.
Democratic leaders are reported to be
quite worried over the impact of the re-
cent tax collection scandals on the out-
come of the coming Presidential election.
Americans seem to have the ability of not
becoming overwrought about the mis-
handling of war contracts, or embarras-
sing mink coats and deep freezers. But
when it comes to tax scandals-a function
of government in which every breadwin-
ner takes a direct part, interest in the
problem is magnified many times.
However the Democratic attempt at this
particular 11th hour reform cannot hope to
convince all voting America that they really
are serious.
Assuming that this Democratic dead
mouse will be dragged through the summer
electioneering by the Republicans and also
kept alive by publicity of court cases con-
cerning the tax scandals, the Democrat's
only hope is to find a 'fall guy' to take 'the
wrap.' It is the Republican hope that the
entire Democratic administration can be
made to suffer the consequences by a defeat
at the polls. This, of course, would be en-
tirely unsatisfactory to the Democrats whose
ultimate object is to perpetuate their stay
in power.
Obviously the most likely punching bag
can be no other than Harry Truman. He
has not said whether he would like to run
again, but if the Arthur Krock story that
he offered the Democratic nomination to
Oen. Eisenhower can be accepted as true, it
would seem the President is looking for a
successor. Also, Bell Truman, who without
doubt would not care to serve another term
as the first lady cannot be disregarded when
guessing at Truman's decision.
In any case Truman could step down
and take with him, because he is the pre-
sent party leader, much of the stench
connected with the Democrats. Then some
man such as Supreme Court Chief Justice
Fred Vincent could receive the nomina-
tion and take over the reins of a purified
party.
Such a "renovated" party could claim the
alligance of its moral members, and pre-
vent any jumping of the traces as occured
in the Mugwump revolt of 1884.
-Ron Watts
"It Sure Ain't Santa Claus"
teter4 TO THE EDITOR
The Daily welcomes communications from Its readers on matters of
general interest, and willpublish 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.
Progress in Israel
DESPITE THE pessimism expressed over
the infant State of Israel, it is evident
that the tiny republic stands as an example
of democracy and progress in an otherwise
despotic and backward Near East.
It is true, however, that Israel has a
long way to go before it reaches a com-
pletely secure status. Economic and poli-
tical problems have beset the nation from
its beginning, but the progress made up
to date is a good indication that Israel is
wel on the way to solving its difficulties.
The current economic crisis has resulted
In a self-imposed state of austerity. Israeli
citizens will face a meatless December in
addition to a strict rationing of other food
products. This austerity program, however,
is similar to that which the British people
are living under; and surviving as a free
nation.
The high rate of immigration has put
terrific burdens on the neophite economy,
and inflation has also left its marks.
Here too the Israeli have faced the prob-
lem realistically.
Though large scale immigration has been
one of the main objectives of Israeli policy,
the government has begun to slow the in-
flux of immigrants to keep pace with the
slowly expanding economy. This year 180,-
000 immigrants will enter the country, but
the number next mair will be cut to 120,000.
The Israeli leaders are confident that
through this revised plan, the final goal of
a Jewish population of two million will be
realized, even though the process will take
longer.
". s
ISRAEL DOES NOT intend to base its eco-
nomy on heavy industry, but rather on
products of skilled labor-ball bearings, dia-
INTERPRETING THE NEWS:
Arms Debate
By J. M. ROBERTS, JR.
Associated Press News Analyst.
NOWHERE IS the spiral of fear which
grips the world better demonstrated
than when the nations get together to talk
peace.
At the behest of the weaker members,
the Big Four have dropped a large part
of their other work in Paris to meet once
more on the matter of arms control.
The meetings are being held in secret,
with each nation constrained by agreement
to report pubicly only its own part in the
negotiations. That prevents public evalua-
tion of the exchanges as they occur, but so
far as can be seen from outside, not one new
idea or new approach has been suggested at
the sessions.
The immediate point of procedure before
the meeting is the American-sponsored pro-
posal to merge the two U.N. committees
wich have been working separately on
atomic controls and control of so-called con-
ventional arms. There is still some hope
that this will be agreed upon.
But the uselessness of all the talking
has been emphasized as the old matters
of East-West dispute'have taken priority
in the discussions,
Completely aside from the issue of war
and peace, Russia apparently believes that
the Western nations which outnumber her
plan to use any Atomic convention to crip-
ple her development in the field and gain
economic advantages for themselves. This
goes back to the long antipathy of the West
to Russian Communism.
The Communists believe the West wants
to put them out of business which is quite
correct.
The West, experienced with Communist
disregard for solemn agreements, wary
because of the lessons of Berlin. Czecho-
monds, citrus fruits, chemicals and dental
equipment. These industries must be ex-
panded to meet the population rise.
To accomplish this, foreign capital has
been enlisted. Money has flowed in chief-
ly from private sources, a testimony to
the potentiality of the nation. Sound busi-
ness firms like Ford and Kaiser-Frazer
do not risk large sums unless they have
high expectations.
Governments have also aided in the capi-
tal raising. The United States has contri-
buted Point Four funds, and the ECA has
also made money available. In fact, Israel
has already begun repayment of its Export-
Import Bank loans.
All of this aid is showing its effects. So
far the trade balance has been low with
exports covering only one-sixth of its im-
ports, but the situation is improving every'
day. Trade agreements have been and are
being made with several European and
American countries. The Arab boycott has
had slight effect chiefly because the pro.
ducts that the Israeli produce are not in
demand by the Arab world. Europe, not
the Near East, is the market for Israel.
An unbiased approach must agree that
there is every reason for confidence in the
economic fortunes of the new state.
" "
ISRAEL IS ALSO beset by political troubles.
The Arab world has sent its armies
against the small state. They have consist-
ently ignored the facts of Israeli sovereignty.
United Nations decisions have meant noth-
ing.
The Arab aristocracy has used every
possible means to stir up hatred of Israel
among its subjects, the favorite device be-
ing the matter o Palestinian refugees. It
is charged that Jewish expansion has
caused 800,000 Arabs to wander homeless
in the deserts of the East.
The Israeli government has repeatedly
pleaded for cooperation with its Arab coun-
trymen. Perhaps no other Arab in the Near
East has gained social advantages like those
of the Palestinian. Jewish hospitals and
clinics, Jewish schools have welcomed Arab
participation. The Israeli parliament has in-
cluded Arab representatives.
Israel has already taken many of the
Arabs back with full citizenship rights,
and has offered to repatriate all of them
if the Arab nations would be willing to
negotiate a permanent peace. This, they
have refused to do.
Instead of showing the heralded family
spirit, the Arabs have prostituted their peo-
ple for their own selfish ends. It should be
noted'that the refugee problem was caused,
not by the Jews, but by the Arab leaders
who ordered their people out of Israel but
failed to welcome them into their own states
* * *
THE THREAT of the Arab world to Israel
will not be solved easily. But past events
have proven that the disunified Arabs have
accomplished little in their holy war. Israel
has met the challenge and, by building up
its army and air force has shown that it will
continue to do so.
Opponents of Israel, however, claim
that an unhealthy political position there
may endanger overall world relations. It
is feared that recognition of Israel by the
free nations has provoked a deep Arab
hatred. This in turn, it is claimed may
cause a marriage of convenience with
Russia.
The point that is missed here is that the
aristocratic leaders make Arab decisions and
these people would be committing suicide to
align themselves with Communism. Rus-
sian interference in other Eastern nations is
evidence of what could happen to the Arab
Leagues.
Actually Arab bitterness towards the
West is caused much more by British and
r
CIINJEMA
I
Ir
A t The Michigan..
OLIVER TWIST, with Alec Guinness,
Robert Newton, and John Howard Davies.
T HESE ARE signs that rigor mortis is set-
ting in on the British film industry.
Since the war, their best pictures have been,
almost without exception, quaint character
comedies, mystery thrillers, or transcriptions
of the classics. Despite the expert technique
of many of these films, the diet has lately
been wearing a little thin. With the arrival
of the long-delayed but much-heralded "Oli-
ver Twist"; the familiar pattern, the stand-
ard style, the melodramatic reiteration have
about reached the saturation point. The
picture is not only old-but old and tired.
Dickens devotees-and there may not
honestly be too many of them anymore-
will fisd that dirtctor David Lean's film ver-
sion of the familiar work contains all the
ideal camera angles, all the properly made-
up faces, all the curious and extravagant
dialogue. But they will also discover that
Lean's screenplay rests on what is certainly,
one of the weakest of Dickens' novels and
that this adaptation seems to point up the
shortcomings rather than developing the
strengths.
The film evolves, even more thoroughly
than "Great Expectations," on tricks.
clever acting, and disconnected violence.
Most of its devices-like dissolving quickly
from a throng of people to a herd of sheep,
or from talk about the "idle poor" to shots
of workhouse drudgery-are old and ob-'
vious.
The performances themselves are decep-
tive. Ten minutes which have been cut
from Fagin's role by the censors help to
make Guinness's portrayal facile, but es-
sentially shallow. Newton, gives an even
more superficial interpretation of, relying on
period costumes and frequent mugging to
develop an extremely dull villain. The title
role is done by John Howard Davies, of "The
Rocking Horse Winner," with faithfulness
to the novel, but practically no animation.
He does his most spirited acting behind a
coal bin door after the name of his sainted
mother has been taken in vain.
"Great Expectations," with its tight co-
herence and poetic ingenuity, proved that
something can still be fished from the
morass of Dicken's implausibility and senti-
mentality. "Oliver Twist" however, reveals
Mr. Lean leaning heavily on the oars. And
quite evidently, the thing will not move
forward under its own power.
-Bill Wiegand
t Fn , s L. rf fanT i ras-sa
IZFA Answer .,.
To the Editor:
SEVERAL OF the opinions ex-
pressed in Cal Samra's editor-
ial are contradictory and far from
being realities.
Providing a home for the Jewish
D.P.'s of Europe and the persecut-
ed Jews of other lands has been
the "raison d'etre" of the new
State of Israel and in fact, that
small country has already given a
haven to 650,000 homeless and op-
pressed people. Was there any
other nation of the world ready
and willing to receive them? Even
the United States with all her
vastness and wealth has found
herself able to receive hardly a
third as many refugees as is tiny
Israel.
Walter Clay Lowdermilk, the
noted American conservationist
and reclamation expert who has
studied Israel in great detail is but
one of the American technologists
who have estimated that Israel
can absorb a population of 3,000,-
000 and more, with full 'utilization
of the country's natural resources.
These same experts are today ad-
vising and supervising the con-
struction of Israel's own "TVA",
the reclaimation a n d power
scheme which will bring new areas
of hitherto barren land under irri-
gation and back to productivity.
Democratic Israel, which Mr.
Samra so forcefully contrasted
with "a Middle East permeated
with corruption a n d outdated
peonage . . .", has recently offi-
cially indicated where her sympa-
thies lie in the present struggle
between East and West. Israel
today has given up her policy of
"non-identification" and has indi-
cated her readiness to participate
in the defense of the Near East if
need arises.
But what of the "friends" of the
United States in the Arab Block?
The role that these States played
in the recent World War is most
revealing. Iraq threw in her lot
with Hitler when things looked
black for the Allies in the Battle
of the African Desert. Egypt even
refused to join the Allied war e-
fort when Rommel's armies were
at her very doorsteps and British
troops alone were desperately de-
fending Egyptrand Suez. The
Grand Mufti of Jersalem, the fan-
atic and powerful Moslem nation-
alist flew to Berlin to organize
Arab brigades to fight for the
Nazis. This same man is today
still one of the leaders of the grow-
ing Nationalist movement of" the
Arab world.
If there is a force in the Near
East that will take a determined
stand with democratic nations of
the world it is Israel. The policy.
of the United States in supporting
Israel is a wise one. It is a true
investment in Democracy. Such
investments are hard to find in
the Near East today.
-Michigan Chapter
Inter-Collegiate Zionist Fed-
eration of America
**
Israel ...
To the Editor:
I HAVE before me your editorial
entitled "Crisis in Israel." I
would not only like to point out
to you some errors in your article,
but to register my disapproval at
your hypercritical and sarcastic
tone.
You stated that Israel's "natural,
market" is the Arab world. I see
no reason for such an assumption.
Is the "natural market" of the
U. S. Mexico or Canada? If the
U.S. had to rely on these two coun-
tries alone, our economics would
be in a sad condition.
I quote from your article "for
the Israeli, the state will never be
the haven they hoped for." How
can you, an uninformed journalist,
make a statement such as this,
when you could not possibly have
any information to back you up?
The state at present is the haven
they hoped for. No Israeli is com-
plaining about his "plignt"-how
can you know anything to the con-
trary?
You stated that there exists an
environment of mistrust and fear
at present in Israel, fostered by
the immigrants themselves. I
defy you to elucidate! The per-
secuted Jews of Europe kiss the
soil of Israel as they arrive.-and
never issue a word of complaint-
how could they when they feel
nothing but love for the country!
I strongly resent your use of the
term "Israel fiasco." You are ob-
viously projecting your desires in-
to that phrase-but I wish to re-
mind you that there has not and
shall never be any fulfillment of
that term!
-Ruth Lewis
fygg. ,, *
Israel .,.
To the Editor:
MR. SAMRA'S editorial "Crisis
in Israel" is truely a master-
piepe of confusion.
He proclaims the vigor and stal-
wartness of the young Israel
democracy and wonders why the
United States chooses to support
her. It is so surprising that the
United States puts her faith in
democracy rather than in the
vacillating feudal Arab States?
Mr. Samra recognizes that no
nation in the world was prepared
to open her doors to the perse-
cuted and homeless Jews of Eu-
rope but considers the creation of
Israel a "blunder." Who thenb
would have offered the muchJ
needed haven which Israel has1
provided.N
We are told that the Arabs ofa
the Middle East have been alien-i
ated by the United States support
of Israel. But, where were these 1
Arab "allies" during World War
II. At that time, long before Israelr
was born, Iraq sided with Hitler1
and Egypt silently abetted the
Nazis as Rommel's armies knockedt
at her door. Are they more de- 1
pendable today?
In time of crisis Israel can be
relied upon to side with the demo-
cratic nations of the world. The1
United States certainly is justified1
in aiding her in her efforts to be-
come a self supporting nation.
-H. Shuval
Hillel Reply..
To the Editor:
THE BIRTH of every sovereignj
state is accompanied by eco-
nomic, social and political pains.
Mr. Samra recognizes these pain-
ful symptoms of birth, and yet he
passes an unkind historical judge-
ment on a democratic experiment
that is little more than three
years old.
To point out the hardships and
the difficulties of a new state like
Israel is proper, but to character-
ize the entire complex as a "blun-
der, headache, fiasco, erroneous
mistake" shows not one whit of'
editorial objectivity that we find'
in John Hershey; Joseph Alsop,
Kenneth Bilby, Ralph McGill, and
others in their evaluation of this
young state.
It would be well if Mr. Samra'
would acquaint himself with the'
early beginnings of American his-
tory when our nation was stifled
by grave financial problems, and
relied for its very life upon friend-
ly nations for financial and moral
support.
These are the positive facts
about the state of Israel.
It has provided a life-saving
home for hundreds of thousands
of refugees, the remnant of the
community of which six million
were slain in the black days of
Hitler Europe.
Israel is engaged in pulling it-
self up with its own bootstraps so
that within a few years it can be
economically self-sustaining-"the
Switzerland of the Midde East."
The people of Israel have incor-
porated the best elements of Wes-
tern democracy and technology in
a feudal area which is perhaps the
most backward in the entire world.
The expert opinion of U.S. Dept.
o f Agriculture conservationist,
Walter Lowdermilk, should dispel
any fears about the population
absorbtive capacity of Israel.
The problem of the Arab refu-
gees is a serious one, but the Is-
raeli government has made every
humanitarian effort to help solve
it. That these refugees fled the
country in panic and terror large-
ly at the instigation of their own
leaders is no fault of the Israeli
government. As a testimony of the
good faith of that government, all
Arabs living within its borders are
accorded all rights of citizenship,
including the right to sit as elect-
ed representatives of the Israeli
parliament. Moreover Israel has
made considerable efforts to relo-
cate the Arab displaced persons.
The reliability of the Israeli
government can best be judged on
the basis of Its record in the past.
While Rommel was threatening
the African life-line of the Allies,
the contribution to the defense of
democracy by the Jewish people
of Palestine were one of the most
important factors ensuring the
defeat of the Axis. During this
period, the Arab states were ac-
tively collaborating with Hitler.
The people of Israel, with their
democratic institutions, and sym-
pathy for the cause of freedom can
be appraised not only as reliable,
but as a potent allie of democracy
now and in the future.
A people which has struggled
for freedom, and loves its demo-
cracy is worthy of all help and en-
couragement. The people of Israel
certainly deserve the unqualified
support of all freedom-loving peo-
ple and men of good will.
-Hillel Student Council
Israel Heritage ..
To the Editor:
[N ALL FAIRNESS to the present
crisis in Israel, one must exam-
I F
ine the history and philosophy of
Jewish thought. Much is to be
learned from such a study which
would prove relevant to , history
and foreign policy as they are be-
ing made today.
To call the Jews' desire for a
homeland in Israel "a misplaced
nationalistic ambition" is to com-
pletely negate 6,000 years of every
facet of a people's culture, rang-
ing from its concrete contribu-
tions, to the very geist which per-
perated these contributions. Six
thousand years of a religion, a
code of ethics, a code of ritual, a
symbolic Interpretation through
the song and dance and the gra-
phic arts has been created by the
Jews, has been commonly lived by
the Jew, no matter on which con-
tinent he claims citizenship.
This culture-to which all Jews
have been exposed, in some meas-
ure and to some extent-hLs held
together because of many Jews'
faith in Judaism's underlying ten-
et: the ultimate redemption of the
land of Israel. All Jews, from the
most zealous pro and anti-Zionist
to the most culturally - isolated
non-believer have gotten an im-
pact from their Jewish culture,
whether they consider this impact
a valid basis for pro-Israel action
or not.
It is only natural for a people,
when. they are granted the right
to a land of their own, to want
that land to which their whole
culture looks for identification. It
is only natural for these people to
want the land hundreds of their
brothers had been living on since
the 1890's, land the Jewish ~Na-
tional Fund had been buying in
quarter-acres from the Arabs
since 1901, land for which the
Jewish National Fund, by 1941,
had paid the Arabs 5,518,000 Pal-
estinian lbs. (lb. equaled a little
more than $5), land which the
Jewish National Fund drained,
afforested, installed water supply
systems, and encouraged settle-
ments in.
For more than fifty years be-
fore the UN sanction of Israel,
Jews had been legally living in
Palestine, reaping agricultural
riches out of a once unfertile land.
The Jews worked for this land,
belonged to this land, before the
land officially belonged to them.
Spiritually the Jews have a tie to
Israel, and to deny their tie is to
destroy their culture. But prac-
tically, the Jews have a claim to
Israel which world government
and the basic economic principle
of money transplanted into pur-
chasing power' have given them.
--Ceil Schnapik
f
Sixty-Second Year
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i
4
BARNABY
Barnaby, have you any idea
who mussed up the beds and
took a leg of lamb from here?
G. 1ifound j;
the door
open--
CI
My Fairy Godfather made
a sandwich, Pop. But he
put the leg of lamb back.
Nonsense.
Where is
that dog
of ours?
Our dog? He'd never do
o thing like this, John.
Not Gorgon.l t
' must have been
the Professor-
c1Cmor/.
The Professor. He came here
from another planet. And-
That solves
' that...lIIC '
go get the
hamburger
\(
r
My! They mine mefals and cast them?
They orocess rubber and make fires?
The way you manage things on your
planet astounds me... And when do
-- -- e
RUMBLE "'
I
I , I