4
Friday, April 16, 1971
University Daily Kansan
KANSAN comment
Closing an Option
Critics of President Nixon continue to assail him for not setting a definite date for withdrawal of American troops from Vietnam.
Polls show a majority of Americans want our tragic commitment in Indochina to end. There is no doubt the President recognizes this and in his television address last week, he stressed that his goal is total disengagement.
Nixon's policy of withdrawal will reduce troop strength from over 500,000 men when he took office to 184,000 by the end of this year.
Although it is difficult to believe that Americans will, as Nixon says, end the Vietnamese tragedy "with a measure of pride" or that the "success" and "achievements" of the Laotian and Cambodian incursions have made Vietnamization a success, as Nixon believes, it is less difficult to understand why the final date for withdrawal should not be announced at this time.
The complexities of international
duplacency don't permit the trusting frankness that might characterize a personal relationship. If the U.S. were to announce the final withdrawal date now, the action would effectively nullify this country's position at the negotiations with the North Vietnamese in Paris; it would remove any pressure on Hanoi to negotiate for the release of U.S. prisoners of war. In any situation, it is best to keep one's opinions as open as possible, and it appears especially necessary in this instance. To announce the date now would close an option: that of negotiation; we would lose our bargaining suit for the release of American prisoners.
In our rush to end the debacle of Vietnam, we need to retain some blance of sensible pragmatism. Announcing a withdrawal date now, and thereby closing an option is just not pragmatic.
Bob Womack
Kudos for Shell
If someone decided to give a "Nice Try" award for this year, the leading contender would have to be the Shell Oil Company.
Last Dec. 1, an explosion rocked a massive Shell platform off the Louisiana coast.
The explosion killed four workers and started a raging inferno on the 11-well platform.
Shell officials had to make a decision as to how to stop the fire. They could have simply capped the wells, possibly polluting the water with oil. But they chose a more expensive method of drilling relief wells to cut off the flow of oil to the fires and to reduce the risk of pollution.
Shell workmen methodically drilled new,wells and then pumped mud into the old well shafts.
Last week, 131 days after the explosion, they only had one burning well left to plug, and no oil spillage had occurred.
The effort cost Shell more than $45 million.
But, as luck would have it, some oil spillage did occur this week as the last well was capped. The amount of oil was not large, but the spillage could be compared to losing a championship game in the last second after leading throughout the game.
Despite the eleventh hour setback, Shell oil should be commended for the efforts to avoid pollution while ignoring the cost. Hopefully other oil companies with off-shore operations will be as considerate and responsible if they are faced with a problem like Shell's.
At any rate, it is heartening to see that major industries are becoming more aware of the potential their operations and products have to damage the environment.
Shell Oil wasn't completely successful in their efforts, but it was a nice try.
—Ted Iliff
Ping-Pong (continued)
In all fairness, another comment on the Chinese ping-pong affair might be in order.
Now newsmen are being allowed in Red China, and some of the mysteries of the country may be solved.
This development shows that the Red
Chinese are interested in better relations with the United States. It is about time, and this country should move swiftly to allow Red Chinese visitors here and to take advantage of the thawing relations between the two so-called enemies.
—Ted Iliff
Something's Amiss
Alumni, Visitors and Friends— Welcome to the Kansas Relays.
The new all-weather track and the Tartan Turf make Memorial Stadium a showcase of athletic opulence.
The cost for the two new additions totaled nearly a half million dollars.
Unfortunately, the rest of the University isn't faring as well.
The University is in serious financial trouble.
Sure, things have been bad before—and things will be better someday. But, this University is running out of time.
Innovations, experimentation and academic reform proposals are being shunted far into the future.
Faculty salaries next year will not meet cost of living increases.
Some say the University is being punished for transgressions of last year. "You had it coming." they saw.
Plans for long-needed classrooms are being scrapped.
Frank discussions will not solve financial woes. The problem is a matter of confidence in the University.
I assume these same people would starve their children for breaking a window.
And frankly, the academic won-lost record at this University is more impressive than the football team's scorecard.
This University has its problems and most University officials will talk frankly about them.
Tom Slaughter
'Let me put it this way . . . it ain't th' welcome wagon, baby!'
Those Were the Days
50 Years Ago Todav—1921
At a meeting in Myers Hall Thursday night, the honors system was the subject of talks by three faculty members, and of a discussion in which all present participated.
Prof. R. S. Knappen said that a man who crisb and steals his grade, dishonestly raises his standard in the class and forces honest students to accept lower grades.
Following the talk a discussion relative to the system took place and it was decided that the system should be installed in one of the computers not be applied in the whole University at once.
The battle to bring back beer and light wines would be fought to a finish in this Congress, it was declared by both wets and drivy today.
With special lighting effects and unusual decorations in purple and gray, the College Hop to be held in the Gym tonight was scheduled to be one of the best parties of the year. There were to be none of the usual balloons and confetti.
30 Years Ago Today—1941
A new program in the field of secretarial training and commercial teacher training was to be offered at the University beginning in 2016. The program, Chancellor Deane W. Malott announced today.
The Kansas baseball team was to meet last
year's Big Six champions, Oklahoma, at a dorm in a game tray Thursday and Friday.
A Kansas Senate bill appropriated $2,737,500 for the university during the next three years, was sent to the board than the requested grant. The main factor in the appropriation increase for the next two years was the mineral building to be located west of the observatory and south of the Chi
25 Years Ago Today—1946
Mrs. Martha Truman, 93-year-old mother of the President of the United States, celebrated the anniversary of her son's first year in office Friday by attending the wedding hall, Hall of Miss LaElle Hall, a family friend, Hall of Mrs Pausian, engineer student
Dr. Harold C. Urey, key figure in the wartime development of the atomic bomb, told the Daily Kansas that the United States is working on atomic research "without even a skeleton crew," while other nations were assigning their top scientists to the job.
Thirty-five schools submitted entries for the 21st annual Kansas Relays.
The Daily Kansan was criticized by the student-faculty conference, which complained that students "aren't getting news from the Daily Kansan."
Nixon Cautious on Vietnam
By STEWART HENSLEY UPI Diplomatic Reporter
WASHINGTON (UPI)—President Nikon's latest troop withdrawn announcement reveals his desire to improve strategic strategy he is pursuing in his effort to end the involvement of American ground forces in Viet-Nam.
While proclaiming "Vietnam is on the road," the President took out some assurance Wednesday night against unexpected development in the country.
He did this by limiting the number of draws to a seven-month period, during which forces will be reduced by 100,000 men. This will cost about $36 million.
still in the country Dec. 1, the cutoff date for the new phase of withdrawals.
Dec. 1 looms as a critical point in the scenario for winding down the U.S. involvement and the President obviously wants to take precautions before proceeding with further withdrawals after that date.
By that time Vietnam will be united the second month of the next dry season and it may be difficult to determine whether Hanoi has recovered from the invasions of its former ally, the major military offensive which might make it wise to slow down the war.
Administration officials point out the significance of the Dec. 1 date in two respects:
—By that date U.S. officials
will have had an opportunity to fully assess the results of the October presidential election in November, whether the Saigon government has maintained or expanded its military way as to ensure some stability.
If Nixon decides by Dec. 1, that he can continue withdrawals at the end of his term, and that date, 14,280 run per month, it would mean that U.S. ground forces in the country will move to Iraq, for 50,000 by the time of the presidential nominating conference in 1972. The United States in the summer of 1972.
"Because water belongs to no one—except the people—special interests, including government use it as their private sewers."
Quotes
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HONOLULU (UPI)-William K. Medeiros' mother, after her son, a triple murder suspect who escaped from jail , was recaptured.
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"I'm glad. I happy . . . "people should not condemn him. Everybody's a little naughty at times. Nobody's perfect."
WASHINGTON (UPI)—Ralph Nader, in a foreword to a report on water pollution:
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David Hack
"Copyright 1971, David Sokoloff."
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This $ 50^{\circ} $ Coupon good on purchase of 2 or 3 game tickets
PUTT-PUTT GOLF KU Relays Special
"I think it is going to be a Nixon-agnew ticket if we were going to announce it today. But that's the decision the President has," he hastened given us any hint or any indication."
- MON.— $1
- TUES.— BONUS DAY
- WED.— TOURNAMENTS
- THUR.— PUTTIN BUTTON
WASHINGTON (UPI)-Sen. Robert J. Dole, GOP national chairman, discussing the 1972 presidential election;
- SAT.— KIDS DAY
- SPECIAL PRICES— GROUPS
Griff & the Unicorn
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The University Theatre and The School of Fine Arts
By Sokoloff
present
by Francis Poulenc
April 18—Matinee 2:30 p.m.
Dialogues of the Carmelites
University Theatre Murphy Hall
Student Certificate of Registration Good for Reserved Seat Ticket. UN 4-3982
300,000 TRAPPED AT SAN FRANCISCO FESTIVAL
THE CROWD WAS ANGRY AND AFRAID, MANY WANTED TO LEAVE, BUT COULDN'T MOVE BACK, THE ROLLING STONES GAVE A FREE CONCERT AT ALTAMONT, CALIFORNIA FOUR MONTHS AFTER WOODSTOCK. THE HELL'S ANGELS POLICED THE PERFORMANCE
'WE CAN KEEP IT TOGETHER,' MICK JAGGER PLEADED. FOUR PEOPLE DIED. ONE, A KNIFING, WAS ACCIDENTLY CAUGHT ON FILM. THE JURY SAW IT NINE TIMES BEFORE ACQUITTING THE ACCUSED.
SOMEONE WRITE IN ESQUIP MAGAZINE, 'THERE ARE SOME THINGS
WICH AREN'T TRUE, EVEN IF THE DID HAPPEN, ALTAMONT
I KNOW.
THE ROLLING STONES GIMME SHELTER
Evening Shows
7:20 & 9:15
Mat. Sat.-Sun. 2:10
RATED R
Hillcrest
Adults 1.50
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