UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN, LAWRENCE, KANSAS
PAGE TWO
FEBRUARY 27,194
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Student Newspaper of the UNIVERSITY OF MEMBER of the Kansas Press Association, National Editorial Association, and the Associated Collegiate Press. Represented by the National Advertising Service, 420 Madison Ave., New York City.
Student Newspaper of the UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS
Mail subscription: $3 a semester, $4.50 a year, plus 2% tax (in Lawrence add $1 a semester postage). Published in Lawrence, Kan., every afternoon during the school year except Saturdays and Sundays, University holidays, and examination periods. Entered as second class matter Sept. 17, 1910, at the Post Office at Lawrence, Kan., under act of March 3, 1879.
The Fourth Republic
Little short of pathetic is the current political and economic situation in France. "The Glory of France" is a phrase now found only in history books, and one wonders whether France is not already permanently relegated to the position of a second-rate power.
The establishment of the Fourth Republic some months ago seemed an inevitable step in French political reconstruction. However, the question of whether or not it will succeed in establishing French prestige at home and abroad, and whether France, as a representative republic, will be able to pick up the threads of national progress and rise again can be answered only with the passage of years.
But several considerations suggest that the Fourth Republic, not through lack of desire or good intentions, but because of its very nature, cannot succeed.
First, there is the element of a great tradition. While the life span of the three former republics totals about 85 years, the life span of monarchial governments totals over 1200 years. Regardless of what the French monarchy may have become at the time of the Revolution in 1789, it was that monarchy, absolute and self-determining, which accomplished the consolidation of the French nation, and enabled her to become and remain one of the world's great powers.
Only political sophists suppose that that consolidation could have been accomplished by any other system of government. That the monarchy became tyrannical, self-centered, and corrupt after France's zenith and unification were attained in 1661, seems not so much a criticism of the French monarchy as such, but rather a criticism of an absolute monarchy which had justified its existence by achieving political integration, but continued to exist in a period when a royal system of the British type might not only have averted the Revolution, but gone far in permanently stabilizing French politics.
But the monarchy, at its best, demonstrated its ability to maintain stable government and assure national greatness. In France, this ability seems characteristic only of monarchy, though the three republics have tried to emulate it.
The temperament of the French people themselves is another factor which bodes ill for the future of the Fourth Republic. The average Frenchman has shown on the one hand a consistent devotion to a form of Caesarism best exemplified by Napoleon, and on the other hand a passionate hatred of political anonymity.
Obviously these two facets of the French temperament are irreconcilable, and one must give way to the other before stable, permanent government is possible. Caesarism in France has enjoyed spasmodic success. Couversely, weakness and eventual downfall have been characteristic of the attempts at government based on popular sovereignty.
We are making an argument neither for a monarchial restoration nor for authoritarian government of any kind. But history and psychology tend to suggest that only a government based on the spirit of monarchy can succeed. This spirit includes a recognition of the country's past and the creation of a central and eternal source of political activity such as that found in the royal crown.
A sense of honor as Montesquieu defined it, seems to be necessary—the recognition by Frenchmen of the fact that all cannot rule and that those who do should be regarded not as politicians but as the personification of national integrity.
The Fourth Republic shows little likelihood of developing in this manner. It will probably exist and perish, as did the Third Republic, by walking the path of political petulance, basing its policy on political expediency rather than that of national welfare, professing a "liberalism" which is little better than an organized hypocrisy, and in the end sinking into an abyss of national nothingness.-O.R.
Autograph My Egg?
A girl came up in the fountain the other day and asked us to write our name on an egg.
She had the egg; and as surely as she proceeded from booth to booth with it, another siege of women's pre-initiation weeks— hell, courtesy, and what have you—had started on the Hill.
Last semester the Inter-fraternity council felt that taking a pledge's time from his studies to crawl upstairs backwards and say poems over the telephone was inconsistent with the ideals and goals of the whole fraternity system. But the women weren't so perspicacious.
A few Greek houses are content to scare their freshmen for a day and then throw a big feed for them at night. But many sororities still hold their pledges to the grand old tradition—four or five days of eating with egg beaters, wearing false freckles, polishing trophies at 3 a.m. and doing callisthenics at 4.
The point of it all? Well, there doesn't seem to be any. Just try, if you will, to work out a point to being tied on a pole with 17 others and living in unison with them for a day.
The only argument used consistently for hell week is that it is a tradition - pledges really look forward to it. Without it their freshman year wouldn't be complete.
Perhaps Pan-Hellenic council is one family which would do well to be more conscientious about keeping up with the Joneses. The Joneses, in this case belong to Inter-fraaternity council.
Lose Your Shirt Shooting Craps? The Vets Have None to Lose!
"Grab that gall! Ask her where she found that size 16 white shirt!" yelled Gene Miller.
Yes, the veterans are having a tough time with their clothing problem.
"Hank" Brown says, "I was lucky,
I grabbed my one and only shirt just
as the clerk was putting it on the
rack."
Since the servicemen received their discharges, many have been astonished by the lack of men's clothing, most just taking it with a grain of salt and saying, "Well, wearing this uniform another few months won't hurt—much!"
Even shoes are being converted. G.I. ingenuity, aided by a paint brush, has changed much government issue footwear into flashy saddles.
So that's just what they are doing. Bill Norris came out wearing a blue cashmere sweater, green marine trousers, key chain and all.
most ex-servicemen are jealous wrecks when they see the girl friend in jeans with a beautiful white shirt hanging to her knees. To protect herself, the flustered female stammers, "You wouldn't like it anyway. It doesn't hold starch."
Great consolation for the shirtless male!
"Are you still wearing QD shirts?"
received various answers ranging from "Yes," to "Just a minute, I'll loo—!" John Toehy drawled "This clothing situation she' is rough, but I'm not wearing OD shorts." Ray Hartley, psychology lab instructor, laughed. "I still have two pair left." At this Johnny Ouer queried. "What do you do on Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays!"
No merchandise, no nothin' 'il our shipment comes in, is the cry of the clothing stores. Most of the stores try to help the clothing seekers, even though they have nothing to offer in the line of pajamas, shorts, topcoats, and shirts, where most of the shortage lies.
The clerks take the veterans' names, sizes, and phone numbers in case. However, as one man put it, "First here, first served. We don't have enough merchandise to carry on a special program for veterans, but most of them take it with a grin."
As spring comes to the campus we will see the vets strolling to class, dancing, and jellying in their hybrid dress. But as one member of the opposite sex sighed, "We don't care what they wear. We're just glad to have them back."
Letters to the Editor
Ex-Corporal Criticises 'Battle Dress' on Campus
To the Daily Kansan: Since returning to school, the writer has seen so many men wearing either partial or complete officer's uniforms, that he isn't certain whether he is at Lawrence or Ft. Benning. He has also seen men wearing "battle dress," usually unessential items of wearing apparel, which demonstrate that the wearer has seen action and that he desires all who pass by to be aware of this fact.
Perhaps one of this hodge-podge of civilian and service garb may be due to the clothing shortage. Still, it seems unusual that ex-officers have experienced so much more trouble than ex-enlisted men in securing civilian clothing.
The writer, an ex-corporal, is willing to give his former lords and masters the benefit of the doubt. After spending some time in Europe, under conditions that might be described as trying, he realizes that among the officers, as well as among the lowly EM's, there were some good men along with some monumental phonies.
The point is this—isn't it about time that we cease this brandishing of past glory, either of rank or warlike achievements?
You won't find many of the men who saw the war up close flourishing their trophies, because to them victory did not bring elation, but a knowledge of the tremendous cost; to them, the remembrance of Salerno or Normandy beaches or Remagen bridgehead does not bring a feeling of triumph, but the memory of friends who died there.
It has been the writer's experience, in conversations with men who have really seen the worst of the late war's battlefields and the men who flew dangerous missions, and from his own personal knowledge, that the only true glory is with the men who cannot return to profit from the achievements so dearly bought.
State Passes Up Cut
New Orleans (UP) — Operators of slot machines in Louisiana pay the federal government over a million dollars yearly in license fees, yet the state government does not collect a penny tax because the machines are claused as "illegal gambling devices."
In memory of these friends who cannot share whatever gains we have made by defeating our enemies, most of the real veterans have respectfully stored their uniforms away in mothballs.
AN EX-CORPORAL
Forensic League meets at 7:30 p.m tomorrow in East room of Union.
Retiring Greek Leader Asks for Understanding
To the Daily Kansan: The question of the Greek-Independent friction has long been prominent, and for the four years I have wanted to express my own ideas on the subject. Now, I think my opportunity has come.
After serving as President of the Women's Pan-Hellenic council for a year, I have come into close contact with both Greek and Independent girls and have formed many opinions and acquired many ideas.
Primarily, we are all working together for a common cause, that of being loyal members of our school and of sharing all the good and the bad. Both of the groups have a rightful and just place and. I feel, offer the same advantages and disadvantages.
Can't we keep the primary interest in mind in doing our daily tasks, and can't we forget our petty, unjustified and unfair criticisms and thought of the others?
It is true both groups are closely-knit organizations, each hanging together in order to have a better understanding and knowledge of its fellow-members.
Certainly while I have been associated with Pan-Hellenic I have done all in my power, and with full co-operation, to extend and enlarge the opportunities open for both groups. We have re-established the old custom of exchange dinners, the annual舞场 open to all university students, and have given $2000 to Dandolem Chapel. And of course, we have worked to develop among the sororities themselves a feeling of co-operation and understanding rather than one of competition.
For years sororities have been recognized as always being dependable and willing to come to the aid of the University when called upon to do so. This doesn't mean praise is exaggerated, but it means they are always ready to help in things expected and desired by the University of all its students.
I can sincerely say that I enjoyed my duties as president in that I made many new friends and had valuable experiences. I leave the University this year hoping for a better understanding and appreciation between the two groups, and knowing that it is possible.
JANE MILLER College Senior.
Olathe Naval Base to Stay
Olathe—Assurance of the future of the Olathe naval air station was given last week when the navy disclosed plans for the base to remain in commission. The Olathe base has been named as one of 15 naval air stations in the United States designated for the exclusive mission of training air reserves.
By KEITH WILSON
Weather strip-teasing. Helen Tode, Sigma Kappa, spent much time worriving about how to improve the let of the working classes lately since her major is sociology. She finally hit upon the solution to all of the ills of the impoverished and undernourished. She decided that by simply installing weather stripping on the doors and windows of all third class dwellings there would be fewer cold, better health, and finally the elimination of unemployment altogether.
New student. It seems that the fabulous "Kilroy" has finally returned from the wars and is now enrolled at K.U. Many people have often wondered just who Kilroy is and what he looks like. We would like to offer the suggestion that he is a gremlin, a very small gremlin at that. A campus office received a large envelope in the morning mail the other day. When it was opened it was found to contain nothing but a large sheet of paper which stated, "Kilroy was here." Small guy, this Kilroy, to creep in and out of letters.
Ooh what you said!! Bobby Davis, College freshman, has been dating a member of the Occupational Therapy club lately. She had been trying to invigle him into attending some of the lectures for some time, and finally succeeded in persuading him to attend the lecture by Professor Speidel on the anatomical study of human cells in motion. When several of his roommates asked Bob where he was going, he replied in all seriousness, "Oh, we thought we'd go out and study anatomy tonight."
To obtain more information on this vital subject, she sent off to various building material concerns to gath data. For weeks the Sigma Kap- house was flooded with timely parchlets on weather stripping. Then the crowning event happened. Several days ago a long sleek sedar pulled up before the door and an important-looking man stepped out. Entering the house, he inquired if Mrs. Todd, the housemother, was in. It seems that he had received quite a bit of correspondence from "Mrs. Todd" about weather stripping. Perceiving a prospective customer, he had driven out to make an estimate on the house.
All veterans enrolled in the University under the servicemen's adjustment act are requested to meet with Mr. Stith of the Veterans Administration in Kansas City, at the Military Institute Auditorium or 7 p.m. in the Frank Strong auditorium, the same day, whichever is convenient.
All veterans under public law 16 report to the veterans office and make appointments to see Mr. Stith.
OFFICIAL BULLETIN
Mathematics club will meet 4:30 p.m. Thursday in the East room at the Union. Dale Rummer will talk on "The Geometry of Map Making." All those interested in mathematics are invited.
Fres
KU. Young Republican meeting 7:30 tonight in the Union Pine room. All students invited.
Merchant Marine—All Merchant Seaman who would like to meet their shipmates come to the Men's Lounge of the Union at 3 p.m. Sunday and get acquainted.
Foreign language proficiency examinations will be given at 10 a.m. March 9 in Frank Strong hall, room 107, in French, German, Latin and Spanish. Students who have had at least two units of credit in any one of these languages in high school are eligible for examination in that language. They may complete the College foreign language requirement by passing the examination. The examination will last an hour and will consist of exercises in translating foreign language material of moderate difficulty into English with the aid of a dictionary. Registration may be made at the College office, March 4 to March 7. Registration lists will close at 4 p.m.
Music Appreciation club will meet 4:30 p.m. Thursday in the Music Room of the Union. The group will study and play some works of Sibelius.
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