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PAGE SIX
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN, LAWRENCE, KANSAS
MONDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1947
Guest Editorial
French Political Situation
The subject of French politics is normally a confusing one, but the results of the recent local elections have made the picture worse confounded. To salvage much sense from the current flow of events, we must understand parliamentary government in general and the French version in particular.
Parliamentary government is extremely responsive to major changes in popular feeling. A government may fall because it calls an election to check on popular support, or the parliament may vote lack of confidence in the premier and his cabinet and thus force him to resign.
French government is even more responsive to popular sentiment (and is therefore less stable) because several political parties compete for the seats in parliament. Thus no single party is likely to win a clear majority of the seats, and two parties must get together in a coalition government. Coalitions are likely to be shaky anywhere, but they are especially so in France.
The preceding description has been further complicated by the recent elections. In the United States local elections would have little or no effect on the national political picture. In the precarious parliamentary system of France, however, General Charles De Gaulle's party can come out ahead in the local elections and thereby upset the whole balance of the system. The reason for this is that De Gaulle's triumph shows a serious lack of public confidence in Premier Ramadir's M. R. P.-Socialist coalition government.
Now Premier Ramadier has decided to call De Gaulle's hand. He who will do this by first reshuffling his cabinet and dismissing those who show sympathy towards De Gaulle. He will then take this new cabinet to the French National assembly and
Via 'Pony Express'
Cheating on tests is like subsidization of football players. Everyone knows about the situation, but no one does anything about it. Year after year some students get through school via the "pony express."
It seems folly to point out to these students that they are not cheating the University, their professors, or even their fellow students. That they are cheating no one but themselves—out of an education and a permanent asset—seems too obvious to mention.
From the long range point of view, the student probably does not cheat his fellow student by using crib notes and ponies. But for the immediate and pressing present, such cheating throws the class grade curve off the track and undeniably hurts someone. Cheating thus is a community rather than an individual problem.
Suspension from school, a possible penalty for cheating, would make an unnecessary hardship for the one or two students expelled as "examples."
An honor system, such as that employed at the School of Law, might be suggested. However, as Dean Moreau of the School of Law pointed out recently, it is doubtful if it would work in some departments of the University. Such a system requires a tradition and a spirit, and these intangibles are difficult to inspire in many short-sighted students.
ask for a vote of confidence.
If a majority of the National assembly votes "lack of confidence," Ramadier loses. Then the opposition leader will form a new government or a parliamentary election may be called to settle the matter.
This lack of confidence is not very likely, since De Gaulle has no members of his new party in the National Assembly. Unless shifting their support to De Gaulle, he must bide his time until the next regular election.
If that coming election should show the same results as the recent local elections, another element of confusion would enter the picture. It would mean a political line-up something like this: De Gaulle's rightist party, 40 per cent; Communists, 30 per cent; Socialists, 15 per cent; M.R.P. (Center party.) 10 per cent; and a smattering of others, 5 per cent. As is rather obvious, it would be difficult to form a workable coalition from such diverse groups.
Whether Ramadier will be successful in salvaging some kind of moderate socialists government is debatable. If he does not, France will be faced with a sharp political turn. To the right is De Gaulle, with a potentially Fascist government; while to the left is Communism, with its dictatorial system.
The result? This is as debatable as are the factors controlling it. Perhaps the deciding factor will be whether American or Russian wheat feeds France. Perhaps Communist control of the French trade unions will turn the trick. Perhaps the Socialists will succeed in bridging the gap between right and left.
The one thing certain about French politics is its uncertainty.
Russel H. Barrett,
Instructor, Political Science
Even then it is doubtful if cheating would entirely disappear under such a system.
The last alternative is a stiffening of the conditions under which examinations are taken. This must be left for the most part to the individual instructor, who could change his examinations from year to year, make precautions against crib notes, and enforce conditions where "peeking" or whispering would not be tolerated.
The instructor owes this much to the individual who is inclined to the cheater as well as to his honest fellow-students.
Sure, the cheater loses in the long run. And he has an A on his transcript.
Daily Hansan
University
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Public Postcard
inner things,
Campus,
Dear Friends,
Those who appreciate the
See you tonight at the Eleanor Steber concert, the first number of what promises to be a fine concert course.
University Daily Kansan.
Sincerely yours,
Endorses WSSF
Dear Editor.
The World Student Service fund drive is now underway at the University. Many ask as to what it is, why does it exist, and what its functions are? Few American students know about either the WSSF or the terrible conditions of students throughout the world.
A year ago I was one of those students. Now I am in the heart of America and I feel that I should try to tell my American friends how important, how necessary; and how urgent it is for them to give to their students abroad.
Before the war the students of Greece, Poland, France, Italy, Persia, or China were young people just like every American student. They were full of energy, loved life, and enjoyed the fun of college. With his books under his arm, the student looked forward to a bright future.
Today it is different. Eighty per cent of the students throughout the world are old, in spirit if not in age. They are hungry, without home, and without clothes. They have no hope for they face a future that is black.
Only a few have escaped the disaster of the war. They are back to their old schools, to their books, to their homes. They urgently need your help if they are to have the opportunity to obtain an education.
The world today is "one world" in that American students must be concerned about their fellow students in other countries. As human beings, as Christians, and as students, it is an obligation.
Remember, for Americans a dollar merely means purchasing power, but to students throughout the world that same dollar means life.
Tomorrow depends upon today, and today depends on you. As a foreign student, I appeal to you to give a dollar to the WSSF to build a better world.
Aldo G. Aliotti,
Engineering Senior from Rhodes, Dodecanese Islands.
Secretary of S.ate Marshall received a degree from McGill university in Canada. Several degrees have also been added to his temperature recently by Russian dignitaries.
Coffer Coughs Up
Milwaukee — (UP)—Mrs. Stella Piechura had an expensive holiday week-end. When she returned from a resort spot, she reported the loss of $4,500 from the till of the cash register in her tavern.
Russell Stovers Candies Always Fresh Stowits Rexall Store
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