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University Daily Kansan
Thursday, Nov. 7, 1963
West Elections Help De Gaulle, Says Bell
"As of now, Charles de Gaulle holds the strongest position in Europe since coming to power."
This was the basic premise of a speech by Aldon Bell, associate professor of history, at a KU-Y Current Events Forum speech yesterday.
DE GAULLE'S strength stems in part from the relative political instability of the other major Western governments—Germany, France, and the U.S.—Prof. Bell said, speaking informally to a small group of students.
He pointed out that none of the other three governments are assured of lasting more than two years because of upcoming elections.
"De Gaulle's tenure of office is practically indefinite, limited only by his age," he said.
The Douglas Home government in Great Britain must hold an election within one year; the Ludwig von Erhardt government in West Germany faces an election in two years, and the U.S. election is in 1964.
BECAUSE of these elections the government cannot act with the decisive authority of De Gaulle, Prof. Bell said. Also, De Gaulle will "strengthen his hand" because of the political conflicts brought out in the election campaigns, he said.
For instance, Europeans "get somewhat panicky" about the prospect of a Barry Goldwater election victory in 1964, Prof. Bell said, because of Goldwater's views on foreign policy.
"De Gaulle can point to recent Goldwater strength in the public opinion polls and say, 'See I told you so. You can't count on the Americans,' Prof.Bell said.' "
European embassies in Washington heaved a sigh of relief after Nixon's show of strength in a recent Gallup poll. Prof. Bell said.
THE ERHARDT government faces several major problems, he said. One of the most pressing, he explained, is a strong pro-French or Gaullist faction in Erhardt's own party, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU).
Erhardt is a professed adherent to American policies, Prof. Bell said, but his government strength is undermined by the Gaullists and the fact that his government is based on a coalition between the CDU and the Free Democratic Party.
JOAN BAEZ
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All other Joan Baez Albums also available
MALL SHOPPING CENTER
Happy Hal's Caters To Your Party Needs
Let us be a part of your next party. Ample space for a group of 100 for dinner. Call us today .VI 3-9753.
HAPPY HAL'S Open 11 am. to 9 p.m. East Highway 10
KU People-to-People will sponsor a foreign student tour of the Hallmark Card Co. plant in Kansas City Friday, Nov. 8.
P-t-P Sponsors Industrial Tours
A bus will leave from in front of the Kansas Union at 12:45 p.m. and the tour will begin at 2 p.m.Following the tour there will be a social hour with refreshments.
KU foreign students interested in either or both tours should sign up in the P-t-P office in the Kansas Union as soon as possible.
BILLIARD TOURNAMENTS
Three Rail 14.1
SATURDAY, NOV. 9,1 p.m.
- Trophies Awarded
ENTER NOW AT THE DESK ENTRIES CLOSE FRIDAY NIGHT
Entries Now Being Received For The Straight Rail, Coed 14.1 & Snooker Tourneys, Nov. 16.
Patronize Your Kansan Advertisers
BURT LANCASTER
JEAN SIMMONS
in SINCLAIR LEWIS'
ELMER GANTRY
2-sto conv
full !
Livin
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side
and ;
Genera lent copy.
Vacar rary trance paid. VI 3-