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University Daily Kansan Monday, March 9. 1950
Witty Generalities
Hoch Auditorium was packed to the rafters. When he walked on stage applause rang through the high-ceilinged room. University students were clearly awed by the British statesman who had played such an important role in recent world history.
But Clement Attlee, former prime minister of Great Britain, a master of witty evasion, left his several audiences at the University Friday no more enlightened about our British brethren's outlook on the present world crisis and their solutions than they had been before the distinguished visitor arrived on campus.
In his All University Convocation address, Lord Attlee spoke in glowing generalities. Ideas in the minds of men will win the Third World War, not weapons on battlefields. How many times have we heard this statement over the last decade?
He refused to discuss what diplomatic steps should be taken to solve world conflicts, asserting that he was "an old man and I don't think it is right for me to be a back seat driver and suggest the road to be taken."
Yes, he is an "old man," but one with experience. And this experience at the Potsdam Conference and organizing the United Nations should count for something to his successors. The world looks up to this man who led Great Britain through the end of World War II and the difficult times of reconstruction.
At a press conference with journalism students
Friday afternoon, Lord Attlee was abrupt and even more non-committal in his answers. He often replied:
His eyes sparkled and his moustache quivered as he hurled back curt answers to the students who tried almost without success to get replies.
"I don't know. I wouldn't know. I don't think so."
He refused to criticize the United States either in its domestic situation or foreign affairs. Yet in his earlier lecture, he stressed the need for criticism and respect for others' opinions among all free countries.
Perhaps Lord Attlee was hesitant because he no longer holds a prominent position in his country's government or the Labor Party and therefore could not speak as an official representative of his government.
But he must have underestimated his audience, which was composed mostly of students. But they were students vitally concerned about the kind of world they are to inherit. They want to know just where our greatest ally, Great Britain, is going to take a stand. What are the most eminent problems and how are we going to reach a solution?
No, Lord Attlee couldn't speak officially for his government. But he could have spoken as former prime minister. He won the world's respect for that role. He could have earned a great deal more respect at the University had he spoken in that capacity. —Pat Swanson
By John Husar
A lovely operatic experience, "Carmen," opened last night in the University Theatre. Completed by Georges Bizet in 1875, the opera has become a classic. Such was last night's performance — the height of student theater this season.
Second to Bizet's superb score, the production's stronger assets were the magnificent settings and lighting designed by E. Arthur Kean.
Strictly progressive, the settings grant much leeway to individual imagination, yet retain a considerable amount of authentic Spanish flavor. Extending to the lighting, Mr. Kean's genius reflected tasteful perception of the opera's necessary atmosphere.
Director Jack Brooking mastered the usual problem of how to make singers act. Each character was developed as fully as can be expected. The huge and difficult production numbers and crowd assemblies moved with reason and color.
The many fiery scenes flashed by with zing and coordination. This was the shortest three hours we have spent in the University Theatre.
"Carmen's" fame comes from its many delightful musical numbers. Most people have heard all or some of the arias, duets or ensembles. In order to put the show over successfully the music surely must satisfy one's expectations.
Robert Baustian's 42-piece orchestra used the aid of 11 faculty
members to insure an excellent musical reproduction. This is the first time so many non-students have bolstered a KU pit orchestra. The results were worth it.
"Carmen" has something of the "life as it really is" theme, popular with many of today's novelists and playwrights.
The story takes Carmen, a sexy Gypsy girl, through a few of her long series of loves.
CARMEN—Beverly Runkle Benso, Lawrence graduate student, does voice exercises before the University Theatre's opening last night. She plays the title role.
In one scene, she excites the soldier Don Jose, his superior officer, Zuniga, and Escamillo, the torcador, into falling in love with her. This results in a tear between the men and some well-executed fight sequences. Further, Carmen places herself between Jose and his original girl, Micaela.
Beverly Runkle Benso sings a slow sultry Carmen. Her beautiful contralto voice is up to the role with all its difficulties. Although not an accomplished dancer, Mrs. Beno adequately carries her passionate, graphic scenes.
Jose loses life's true beauty by casting away Micaela and begins a life of moral disrepute and dishonesty. Fatalist Carmen sees him as her "nemesis" and attenpts to ruin Jose by lowering him deeper into abyssal straits. The suspense lies in finding out who really triumphs, if at all.
As Jose's commanding officer, Jack Davison uses his superior baritone voice in a much smaller role than we would like to see him play. With the exception of a few ragged spots, Robert Lynch's bass is up to the role of Escamillo, especially in the vital Tororead aria.
Don Jose is given a fine performance by Dick Wright. He has a strong tenor voice and ably characterizes the young soldier, although cutting a ridiculous figure in tights.
But one of the finest voices belongs to Celia Welch (Micaela). A so-called "discovery" this year, she has a bright future in the local theater should she continue to deliver quality such as her beautiful arias and duets with Jon Jose.
Joyce Malicky and Martha O'Dell use their silvery voices well as Carmen's two Gypsy friends Bruce Gardner and David Dodds were also of high caliber as the smugglers, and Roland Pera sang well in his brief soldier role.
The choral direction, costumes and choreography all were of high excellence. Considering everything, the evening was marvelously successful.
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ASC Needs Independents
The problem of poor communication between the independent student and student government was brought to our attention again by the excellent letter of Hal Archer in Tuesday's Daily Kansan.
Editor:
We have long been aware of the difficulties which face the independent student who wishes to know more about student government and campus politics.
Our experience has shown that The Daily Kansan is virtually the only source of information concerning student government available to the independent student.
We feel that there is a definite place in student government for the independent student and that there is a need for a closer link between independents and their government.
The Daily Kansan does a good job of keeping students abreast of recent developments in the All Student Council, but there is no way the independent can learn about the mechanics of student
The Daily Kansan can do the independent student a definite service by answering these questions. However, written answers to specific questions cannot fully take the place of personal contact with those people who are active in student government.
government and politics unless he asks questions.
Those students representing independents in student government face the problem of finding ways to make themselves available to their constituents so as to answer their questions concerning government and politics at KU.
Terry Davis, Frontenac senior; Ann Shaffer, Russell junior. ASC representatives, Independent unorganized living district.
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It has been our experience that those people acquainted with student government are more than willing to talk to interested students about the function, mechanics, accomplishments, and weaknesses of student government at KU.
Editor:
Russia Resembles Reich
According to The Daily Kansan, March 2, Prof. Colodynny said in a Current Events Forum that "forty years ago a new society was born in direct competition to ours and with opposite principles. In three decades it proved that a technological country could be built without the use of private capital."
This is of course true. But what are the characteristics of that new civilization in Russia?
There are some of the characteristics of both of these totalitarian robot-countries:
1. One party regime which does not admit any free discussion or free elections.
3. Use of violence not only against the anti-Communists or anti-Nazis but also against the opposition within the party in power.
These characteristics are methodologically very similar to the features of another civilization born 27 years ago and destroyed 13 years later, that of the Third Reich built by Hitler.
5. A foreign policy of provocative threats sweetened by some illusionary concessions such as
4. A new colonialism such as the oppression of the Tartars, Volga-Germans, Hungarians and Poles by the Communists or of the Jews, Czechs, Poles and Russians by Hitler.
2. Use of slave labor for great enterprises such as the building of the Belomor channel in Russia or the war industry in Germany (where the so called Ostarbeiter were employed).
Munich after the destruction of Czechoslovakia and the relaxation after the bombing of Quemoy and before the new cold war for Berlin.
Another difference is that Hitler's victims were chiefly non-Germans, while the victims of the Bolsheviks were mostly Russians or Ukrainians. . .
There are of course many differences. Hitler's goal was a rather "modest" one. He wanted domination over Europe only, and perhaps some parts of Asia and Africa. The Communist goal is a more ambitious one. It includes domination over the entire globe and perhaps even the moon.
All these are the characteristics of evil, I believe, and this evil is strong enough to produce Lutniks, and Sputniks and to impress some professors, some millionaires and the poor, ignorant people of Africa and Asia. The latter I understand better than the former.
Prof. Colodny is right in saying that the United States should be more of a champion for the oppressed. By "oppressed" I mean not only the colored people in Union of South Africa but also North Koreans, Hungarians, Chinese and Russians living under the Communist yoke.
I am also impressed by the strength and success of evil, but still I disapprove of it just as some Russians in the U. S. S. R. such as Mr. Pasternak and, I hope, some of his admirers in Russia.
George Ivask
George Wash
Assistant professor of Russian
It Looks This Way...
By Larry Miles
Uncle John notes that leotards were once called long johns.
Chancellor Murphy said at convocation this year that he wanted no "lazy minds" on the campus. A friend of mine wants no argument with the chancellor and has sent his on vacation.
Prof. Snarf is encouraging students to talk in class. He claims that now he will know how stupid they are instead of always guessing.
Since Detroit is planning smaller autos next year, the Black Forest elves are planning more cuckoo clocks.
Dailu Hansan
UNI BRITT
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