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University Daily Kansan Tuesday, Dec. 12, 1961
Friction in the Red Camp
Stalinism is a dirty word among the Communist bloc nations, with the exceptions of China and Albania. It is denounced as repressive, and hindering the work of scientists and economists with dogmatic interference.
A rift between the Kremlin and Albania over Albania's endorsement of Stalinism became an open break this week when they severed diplomatic relations.
THIS EVENT IS NOT in itself of any great significance. But the underlying and associated reasons for this ideological struggle between the Kremlin and Albania have great importance.
The Soviet Union holds that war is no longer a legitimate means of extending Communism, while Red China says it is. This is due both to the fact that Red China's leaders follow a tougher line in dealing with the West and to the relative development of the two countries. The Soviet Union has much more to lose in a war with the West due to its concentrated industrial centers in the western part of the country.
The main factor in the picture that is yet uncertain is what action Red China will take in the dispute. As the only other Communist bloc nation endorsing Stalinism, the moves this giant makes in the argument are the main consideration.
The most basic difference in points of dogma between the two Red giants—in terms of the international situation and the Cold War—is their argument over war as a means of furthering Communist expansion.
THERE HAS BEEN conflict on other points, however. Red China's disastrous experiment with the commune system was condemned by
All these points are factors in a long range friction between Red China and the Soviet Union that has been developing over the last few years. It is reflected in many ways.
Mao Tse-tung failed to congratulate Khrushchev after his speech at the 22nd Communist Party Congress, in which he condemned deviationists and Stalinists.
Khrushchev is pushing a development plan for the Soviet Union's largely empty eastern lands near the Sino-Soviet border. In the opinion of many experts, this reflects a concern about Red China's growing power and need for land to support its huge population.
the Soviet Union, and it proved to be unwork- able due to peasant opposition and inefficiency.
The Soviet Union will not furnish Red China with nuclear weapons, and Peiping is sinking great effort and expense into a program to develop its own.
THE BASIC REASON for the development of this friction is the growth of Red China's power to the point where its rulers were no longer under the effective control of the Kremlin. Other Communist nations have gained various degrees of freedom from the Soviet control, but none have the strength that Red China does or disagree so strongly with the Soviet Union's ideology.
This conflict between the two Red powers will undoubtedly continue. What future events will bring it is impossible to tell. But the continued growth of Red China's power indicates its influence will increase and that its voice will be given more and more attention by the Soviet Union and the other Communist nations.
William H. Mullins
'La Dolce Vita' Called True Art
By Bill Charles
"La Dolce Vita": with Marcelo Mastroianni, Anouk Aimec, Yvonne Lurveaux, Anita Ekberg. Directed by Frederico Fellini. At the Varsity.
Every now and then a film comes along to bolster one's faith in the Motion Picture as a true art form. Such a film is "La Dolce Vita." Technically and artistically it is one of the very best films released in 1961. Films of this type and quality are seldom exhibited in Lawrence. No KU citizen should fail to see it.
"La Dolce Vita" is one of the films which are returning the Italian Film to its post-World War II significance. Approximately 15 years ago in Italy, Roberto Rossellini established the totally new school of neorealism with films such as "Open City" and "Paisan."
FREDERICO FELLINI, the director of "La Dolce Vita," cut his eye-teeth on these films. He began
as a writer, but soon turned to directing, making such memorable movies as "La Strada" and "The Nights of Cabiria." He is now considered by many to be Italy's most accomplished director. In this movie he proves himself to be one of a small handful of men who possess true film genius.
"La Dolce Vita" is not a pleasant movie. It is not easy to watch, but if you have the fortitude to sit through it all (it is too long to be run without an intermission) you will leave the theater with a feeling that you have seen something well worth seeing.
There is no plot, really, just a series of loosely connected episodes which comprise a sort of cinematic diary of a gossip columnist, played by Marcello Mastroianni. Through him the film shows the degradation and moral corruption of modern hedonistic society. Marcello is almost a casual observer at first, but he is soon transformed into the ringleader of a vice-squid in reverse.
THE ONE NICE character is a young girl, Paola, whom Marcello meets at a seaside resort. At the end of the film the reporter and his gay group leave an all-night orgy to watch the beaching of a dead and decaying, grotesque sea creature. Paola sees him and calls to him, but Marcello is unable to hear or recognize her. Symbolism? Perhaps. There is as much symbolism in "La Dolce Vita" as one cares to read into it. Or as little.
The film is organized chaos. This is an integral component of its general tone and over-all impact. Each separate scene, while meaningful in itself, has even greater importance as a building block in the total effect of the film. Some scenes disgust more than others, but all disgust. Each viewer will have his own particular favorite. But all should agree that although the sweet life is disgusting, "La Dolce Vita" is marvelous.
I wish to set straight some factual errors which appeared in Mr. Richard Currie's review of "The Boy Friend," which appeared in the Dec. 6 Kansan.
Kansan Reviewer Criticized
Editor:
Karen Saad, who plays Dulche, is a La Grange, Ill., senior, not a River Forest, Ill., junior, as reported.
Most serious among them were these two:
Dan Kocher, Topeka junior, dances the "Carnival Tango" with Miss McGee, not Wayne Zuck, as reported.
ANOTHER SMALL error concerns "the four Frenchmen" in the show. One of them is, according to the script, "Bobby Van Husen, that terribly rich and good-looking American boy...," played by Larry Sneegas, Lawrence senior.
The remainder of the review falls, as it should, in the category of Mr. Currie's opinion, but we of the University Players would most greatly appreciate it if Mr. Currie would express his opinions about our productions the day after the opening of a show, and not two
... Letters ...
days after, as the custom apparently is on the Kansan.
I noticed that the Journal-World managed a review for Tuesday evening's paper. I am unable to see why the Kansan is not able to do the same, especially when Mr. Currie was in our opening night audience.
SUCH ITEMS as reviews are much anticipated by the casts and directors and they are of important interest to other students on campus as well. It is the duty of the Kansan to carry out this task promptly, at a time when it is wanted and needed, or it should not bother at all.
Editor:
Thomas L. Winston
Dallas, Tex., junior
A Liberal View
The recent excursions of campus conservatives into public affairs seems deserving of some critical evaluation. I refer specifically to the abortive attempt at a demonstration at the KU-MU football game. The object of this demonstration was not solely to support a particular U.S. Senator but to embarrass a distinguished Governor.
In addition we must take note of the irresponsible and reckless charges leveled at not only some of the most valued members of the Federal Government, but at a distinguished professor emeritus of this University. I refer here to Mr. Marick Payton's letter in the UDK.
I DO NOT agree with the views of the Conservatives. However, I would like to appeal to them to present their position in a mature and responsible way. I would like to appeal to them to spend less time in venting unbridled hostility and accusations, and more time in presenting to the campus the results of rational thought.
I was extremely heartened to note that the YAF, as organized representatives of the Conservative viewpoint, has rejected the course of irresponsibility. If this position is an adequate indication of their future behavior then they can expect discussion instead of argument, progress rather than stagnation, and respect rather than scorn.
Stephen S. Earatz
LITTLE MAN ON CAMPUS by Dick Bibler
Stephen S. Earatz Lawrence graduate student
"I UNDERSTAND TH' DEAN HAD HIM SUSPENDED FOR THE REST OF TH' TERM."
On Other Campuses
IOWA CITY, In.—The case must be established in Washington for a sharp increase of un-earmarked, non-project grants for higher education which can be spent as a university deems wise within its own operations, John C. Weaver, vice president for research at The State University of Iowa, said here recently.
Pointing out that federal aid to education is here, and here to stay, with the federal government now paying 80 per cent of the cost of research at universities, the SUI graduate college dean added that 95 per cent of this subsidy goes to the natural sciences.
While massive aid is clearly needed for the research effort in the sciences, the preoccupation of the federal agencies with these branches of learning unquestionably brings imbalances of support into our academic household that we cannot long live with and be true to our calling, the SUI dean said.
In an effort to develop the whole academic spectrum universities need to urge consideration of an "Advanced Institute for Humanistic Studies" and of a "Social Science Foundation," Dean Weaver said.
GAINESVILLE, Fla.—University of Florida students will now be able to voice their grievances with local merchants through the UF Better Business Relations Bureau. According to Dean of Men Frank T. Adams, "We are hoping for constructive criticism to come out of this. It is for those who wish to say something to the Gainesville merchants concerning their dealings with the students."
Formerly, complaints have gone to the Office of the Dean of Student Affairs. Since there is no Better Business Bureau in Florida, most Chambers of Commerce have set up ethics committees. This is the UF answer to an ethics committee. The bureau itself will be run by UF students and has members of the mayor's council and chamber of commerce as co-sponsors.
MADISON. Wis.-Automation, spreading around the country in various fields, may reach deeper into the classroom before long. A University of Wisconsin professor of psychology, Karl U. Smith, contends that audiovisumatic teaching "is a new dimension in education and research."
Dr. Smith's audiovisumatic teaching device consists of a magnetic tape recorder, an electrically-controlled slide projector and a control unit. The device works this way: It gives an illustrated lecture, with slides automatically presented at the proper times, and also asks questions which must be answered correctly by the student before it continues its course.
It directs the student to write an answer to a short essay question. The correct answer later is summarized by the machine when he finishes writing and his answer sheet punched for a second question. The feedback of information about the correctness of answers is processed by using the contact between a stylus in the hands of the student and marked areas of the answer key.
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