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University Dahy Kansan Thursday. March 22.1956.
Parallel In History
White Councils-Another KKK
It would be somewhat natural, after just hearing about the newly organized White Citizens' Councils in the South, to call to mind the Ku Klux Klan of the last century.
Numerous parallels of the two groups stand out immediately. As the KKK believed a century ago, so do the councils of today believe, in practice, if not in theory, that the white man is superior to the black man; that the black man, if given equal rights in the South, will dominate the white man; and that the law of tradition for the South is greater than the law of freedom for mankind. The two groups are also alike in their passionate advocacy of states rights whenever any of the foregoing beliefs are challenged.
However, the situation of today is different from the one when the KKK was organized. A civil war had just been lost then; the Negro had been emancipated and the white carpetbaggers from the North were moving in to take advantage of the Negro's illiteracy, and his vote, much to the discontent of the Southern whites.
Because of such differences the parallel cannot be carried too far; still, because likenesses do appear, the two organizations should be lined up, side by side, to see where the differences leave off.
The KKK was born in 1865, the year of the Emancipation Proclamation, and it was founded in opposition to many aspects of reconstruction. States rights was its theme. Every state should be allowed to have jurisdiction over its people, it said. The federal laws, being contrary to this theory, were consequently overrun by the Klan in such a fashion as to bring upon the Kluxers an ignominious mark yet to be equaled.
The resolved purposes of the KKK, though,
was a different tale. Their resolutions were:
1. To protect the weak and relieve the injured and oppressed.
2. To protect and defend the Constitution of the United States, and to protect the states and people from invasion from any other source.
3. To aid in the execution of the laws and to protect the people from unlawful seizure and trial except by their peers.
Lofty resolutions, their examples show, may incorporate lofty lynchings. And it was the lynchings, not the resolutions, that made the Klan effective to the point where it withered away from lack of anything more to accomplish. The Negro had been terrorized, the vote controlled, the whites were in control.
Today in the South there is the Federation for Constitutional Government, an organization designed to co-ordinate the efforts of state groups like the White Citizens Councils of Mississippi. The councils, formed shortly after the Supreme
Sen. James O. Eastland (D-Miss.), in a circulated printed speech at one meeting of the federation, said, "We are about to embark on a great crusade, a crusade to restore Americanism and return the control of our Government to our people." In another speech Sen. Eastland called or an emotionally charged gathering to "fight the (Supreme) Court, fight the CIO, fight the NAACP and fight all conscienceless pressure groups who are attempting our destruction."
Count's segregation decision, now have a membership of about 65,000 in 260 organized councils.
From the foregoing it may be seen that today's council of the South have common problems with the KKK. Both face the problem of Negroes becoming equals, the problem of having to change their southern heritage and the problem of having the state subordinate to the Federal government on race questions. The problems of the two groups then are basically the same, as are their beliefs and resolutions.
The outstanding difference to date is their actions. To form a complete parallel with the KKK, the White Citizens' Councils would have to resort to organized violence with the purpose of terrorizing the Negroes into the belief that integration is bad for them.
When the showdown comes, the issue in the South will not be a rational issue, and it would be best for all concerned to keep this fact in mind. For a Southern white who opposes integration, any attempt to use logic or reason is fruitless—the matter is beyond his capacity to reason because he "feels" too much about the situation. For him the question was settled the day he was born. When a mass of people, with feelings so ingrained as this, organize and attend speeches of the "fight the Supreme Court" type, it's no wonder the University of Alabama is losing its prestige.
The leaders and organizers of the councils who have any intelligence realize the temperament of the people they are guiding and that they are literally playing with fire. For the councils to pursue their ends by constitutional means would indeed be admirable and from their resolutions that is the agreed method. However, the statement that the councils frown on violence does not discount the possibility of violence taking over when legal methods fail—and as previously mentioned, the issue will not be dealt with rationally.
There are numerous minor differences between the KKK and the federation, but there is only one major difference, the difference of violent action, that truly separates them. It will be a crucial point when the councils do decide upon the final leg of their historical journey.
Ray Wingerson
Japan Needs Aid To Stay In Free World
If the United States does not want the Pacific to become a red lake, something must be done about Japan's trade relations and her market for our farm products. This is essential in keeping Japan in the free world.
Since World War II, Japan has become, with Britain, one of the two biggest customers for our surplus farm products. It is estimated that Japan could buy more of our cotton, rice, and wheat if that country could sell us more of the output of its fisheries and her factories. Otherwise, it will have to turn to Red China for markets.
In 1954, the United States bought $258 million worth of goods from Japan. But in that same year Japan was sold $726 million worth, leaving her a trade deficit of $468 million. She would have gone broke except for our economic aid, the Korean war boom, and spending by our occupational forces.
Both Russia and Red China dickered with Japan last year on the resumption of trade. Not a great amount of trade has been attained yet, but normal trade between Japan and China is only a matter of time. Undeveloped China is a natural and convenient market for Japanese manufactured goods.
The main interest of the United States should not be to block this trade, but keep it from leading to strong political ties that might wean Japan from the free world.
For many years Japan's economic slogan has been "Export or Die." However, tariff walls and
Japan is only about the size of California, and only about one-fifth of its land will grow crops. Still, it has 90 million people to feed. It must import a third of its food, 95 per cent of its oil, and some of its coal. To pay for these essential imports, it must revive its exports to a prewar level.
other trade restrictions have stood in Japan's way. Before World War II, trade with China and Korea provided about 50 per cent of the total trade of Japan. Today it is only about 3 per cent. Either this trade must be revived or Japan will have to find new markets in other countries.
However, except for fish products and a few other items, most Japanese products are not needed in our country, since we produce the same things. However, more would come in if we would lower our tariff. But lowering the tariff in this country is not very encouraging for the future.
In much of the Far East, memory of Japanese aggression and atrocities in World War II hamper the resumption of trade relations. Economic interests seem likely to overcome these objections. It is the interest of other Asiatic countries to trade with Japan, and some are doing so again.
There is only one way for us to withdraw our support of Japan's economy, which is a heavy burden on our taxpayers. The United States must help Japan to find more export markets here and elsewhere. This is the most essential factor in keeping Japan a free nation.
—Bob Riley
A Look Back
War Items Take Spotlight In News 15 Years Ago
It was the third week in March, 1941. In London, Sir Winston Churchill told the new American ambassador that German U-boats and battle cruisers were crossing the American side of the Atlantic. Independent shipping was being sunk, marking Hitler's all-out attack on British shipping.
Pressing Britain hard on the seas, Germany also claimed a 3-1 air edge, even with 7,500 planes England received from the United States. At the same time, recruits from this country were rushing to join the RAF. The number of volunteers from the U.S. was so great that several squadrons were made up entirely of American fliers.
In southeastern Europe, Turkey was being threatened by Nazi forces. Russia told the Turks that if they were forced into a fight with Germany that she would give Turkey the same aid she was providing China (mostly supplies). This announcement indicated that Russia was coming out in the open against Nazi expansion in her own spheres of influence.
The newspapers consisted almost entirely of war news in Europe and Africa, and the defense efforts in the U.S. German U-boats were the main topic of conversation. England was undergoing terrifying bombing raids.
Look To War
On the home front, Americans looked to the war in Europe with new and increasing interest. Congress passed President Franklin D. Roosevelt's request for a $7 billion dollar appropriation to put the
graduate student
Editor:
... Letters
democracies aid program into full effect.
Although not an avid basketball supporter, I am an avid proponent of common sense reasoning. It is from the common sense standpoint that I have been a little disturbed by the type of thinking that seems to be running rampant through the present Phog Allen controversy. The majority of sport page editorials on the subject either directly or indirectly commit what might be termed the "rule for the rule's sake" inference. This inference is drawn from the following argument:
If KU professors are 70 years of age, then they will be retired; Coach Allen is 70 years of age; Therefore Allen should be retired.
The argument of course is valid; but to quote only the argument is to overlook the basis for the major premise. All rules are made for the sake of the University, not for the sake of the rule. A rule is good only in so far as it promotes the best interests of KU; and at best, a rule is only a broad guide for supporting those interests. Personally, I would like to see the Allen controversy based on what would be best for the University, rather than a tortoise-like withdrawal into the "a rule is a rule" shell.
Hindering the defense effort were crippling strikes in several large cities from coast to coast. To help remedy this problem, President Roosevelt created an 11-man National Defense Mediation Board "to assure that all work necessary for national defense shall proceed without interruption and with all possible speed."
On The Light Side
A new "enriched" bread and flour was placed on the market. The Department of Agriculture had to explain the status of this new type of bread which contained vitamins that helped steady nerves. England had been using the bread as a measure to help combat tension created by the German bombing raids.
The New York Times carried an editorial applauding the expulsion of "Reds" from several collegiate staffs in New York schools.
The largest crowd in history of the National Invitational Basketball tournament watched the University of Ohio and City College of New York meet in the finals at Madison Square Garden. Alfred Hitchcock was directing movies in Hollywood. Robert Montgomery costarred with Ingrid Bergman in "Rage In Heaven."
Being a proponent of progress and clear thinking, how about the UDK making a conscientious effort to bring this point home to its readers. And let's hope the "powers that be" who must pass judgment on Mr. Allen's request will make their decision on the basis of what is best for the University, not just the "We have a rule..." basis. If they do not, then apparently the rule has become "greater" in a sense, than the University.
In the field of medicine, the Rockefeller Foundation announced that its 10-year struggle to wipe out yellow fever in Brazil was successful. The task had required 100 persons to accomplish.
The attempt by Mr. Yoe to incite interest among Independents in the positions of editor and business manager for the 1956-57 Jayhawkher had merit. In view of the controversy I seem to have started, he behooves all interested and qualified persons to now step forward or forever hold their peace.
Editor:
However, Mr. Yoe says that without previous Jayhawker experience, a candidate is handicapped. With regard to the almost obvious lack of quality in recent
—Louis Stroup
issues of the Jayhawker. I ask the advisory board to disregard lack of Jayhawker experience.
Rather, I ask the advisory board to base its decision on three face- to- base.
1. Interest shown.
2. Amount and type of background working with publications.
3. In conjunction with factor two, a good sense of value and proportion in regard to material.
If these criteria are considered, I believe that whether Greeks or Independents are chosen, an improved Jayhawker will result. Factors one and two are fairly easily discerned, but factor three is more difficult to recognize. Still, I believe that if a concerted effort is made along these lines, KU will be rewarded with a REAL yearbook.
Leo Flanagan Chicago senior
South Carolina has an area of 31, 055 square miles and ranks 39th in size among the 48 states.
Daily Transan
University of Kansas student newspaper
1904, tristweek 1908, daily jan 16, 1912
tristweek 1908, daily jan 16, 1912
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Associated Collegiate Press. Represented by National Advertising Service, 420 M. Avenue of the Americas. Service: United Press. Mail subscription rates: $3 a semester or $4.50 a year. Published in Lawnman, Kansas, every afternoon; Saturdays and Sundays, University holidays, and examination periods. Entered as second-class matter Sept. 17, 1910, at office post office under act of March 3, 1879.
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