German Student Says
Russians Give Only 'Canned' Answers
Russian students are inquisitive, well-informed and reply to political questions with "canned" answers.
This was the conclusion of Johanna Fichtner, Lahr, Baden, Germany, senior, who had an opportunity to discuss international relations and problems with a group of Russian students last summer.
"The Russian students stayed in groups and would not split up. We could not discuss questions with them as individuals."
"If we asked a question which had not been discussed before they consulted together at length before
Johanna Fichtner
answering," Miss Fichtner said of the Russian students.
Miss Fichtner visited Stanford University last summer on a Lisle Fellowship, a grant established to promote human relations and understanding between religions, nationalities and races.
One of the highlights of the summer for her and the other scholarship recipients staying at the Lisle Fellowship international quarters came when a group of Russian youth leaders visited Stanford.
"Although the Russians seemed to freeze during political discussions, they were friendly on a social level," Miss Fichtner said.
"Only half of the Russians spoke English, but they could speak at least one other language, so we were able to communicate," she said.
The group of Russians consisted of the leader of the Communist youth organization, the editor of a Communist youth newspaper, representatives of medical and teacher professions, and a leader of a cooperative farm.
"They were interested in everything, and took notes and pictures continuously.
“If someone would state a fact about his school the Russians would want to get the fact and the name of the school correct. Then they would write it down.” she said.
"They were like records," she said.
Miss Fichtner noted the Russians were controlled by a leader and that they had stock answers to any political questions.
"They were like records," she said. Miss Fichtner said one foreign student asked the Russians if they felt the Americans want war now that they had seen the U.S.
"Anyone who mentions war in Russia is punished," the Russian answered.
"How?" the foreign students asked. The Russian did not answer.
Miss Fichtner said the Russians wanted to know why American students do not work in the summer for their country. In Russia every Russian volunteers to work for his country, they said.
The Russians also said they do not drink anymore.
The Russians were surprised to see so many different makes of cars. They said the USSR has just a few makes.
"This is better, though, for it is easier to replace the parts," they added.
In evaluating the summer the KU student from Germany said:
"For me it was the first time I entirely understood Americans. The group was so close and so inquisitive that we could really dig down into the problems."
Dailu hansan
56th Year, No. 64
LAWRENCE, KANSAS
Tuesday, Dec. 16, 1958
'Iraqi Demonstrations Not Representative'
The Iraqi mob action against William Rounthe, American assistant secretary of state, is not representative of that country's feeling, an Iraq graduate student said here today.
Demonstrations flared in the streets, with the mob shouting "Rountree go home" and waving
Rountree, on a fact-finding mission in the Middle East, was unharmed when Baghdad mobs threw mudballs and stones at the embassy limousine. Mobs formed at the Baghdad airport when Rountree arrived and in front of the embassy as Rountree returned from a call at the palace of the Sovereignty Council.
Abdul Al-Saadi said the stone-throwings did "indicate that the United States policy in the Middle East has failed."
placards which read "Don't soil our land, you courier of conspiracies."
Rountree was guarded by Iraqi troops apparently assigned in anticipation of demonstrations.
Reports said a Communist attempt on the government could be expected at any time.
"I don't think the mudball throwing incident has anything to do with the Communists. Most of the rioters were students, and Communist ideas have not crystallized in their minds." Al-Saadi said.
The State Department does not realize the change in the people of Iraq since 1947, he said. He explained the people have progressed culturally because public education is becoming widespread.
"The Iraqi people realize that the money they get from the West is not for nothing. They feel that while money can buy arms and equipment, it cannot buy the people.
"They resent being recipients of a gift. The United States has to prove to them that it is a friend seeking mutual progress," he said.
Another reason why Americans are disliked in Iraq, Al-Saadi said, is that the people still resent the fact that the British ruled Iraq for so long. Iraqis do not distinguish between the British and the United States, but think of them as...the Western powers, he said.
In Washington, State Department officials said they deplored the demonstrations and said the Iraqi government had called Rountree's visit a welcome one.
GIHR Sees Discrimination Gain
New gains in eliminating discrimination in Lawrence restaurants is reported by the Group for Improvement of Human Relations (GIHR). There is a need, however, for more student awareness of the Lawrence race problem, the GIHR monthly newsletter reports.
Several Lawrence restaurants which have formerly refused service on the basis of color served mixed groups on occasions recently, the newsletter declares.
The newsletter named two downtown restaurants, however, which are continuing to discriminate on the basis of color.
"The student should be informed and use his own conscience," Linda K. Bodle, Lawrence senior and co-
KU Motorists Get Safety Checks
By noon today about 300 cars had received the automobile safety check which is being conducted in front of the Kansas Union, said Bill Reed, Kansas City, Kan., senior and chairman of the All Student Council Traffic and Safety Committee.
The check is being conducted by the highway patrol and the campus police in cooperation with the committee.
The highway patrol is issuing summonses for defective brakes and drivers without a license.
the motorists are not compelled to go through the check. It is advised by the police, however, as a pre-vacation precautionary measure.
chairman of GIHR, said in commenting on the newsletter.
"If the student cares and knows that a restaurant does not serve colored persons, the student could speak to the proprietor or not patronize the place," she said.
Checks will be made on Naismith Road in front of Allen Field House and in front of the Union tomorrow.
"In the end, the progress which the GIHR makes in Lawrence restaurant integration depends upon the individual," she added. "As a group, we are not attempting to organize a bovett."
The newsletter reports new gains in Lawrence integration have been achieved through the use of visitation parties. Visitation parties are a combination of students who enter a restaurant and wait quietly until they are either served or refused.
If refused, the students speak to the proprietor in order to obtain a statement of his policies, then leave.
The graduate class in human relations taught by Howard Baumgartel, assistant professor of human relations, has volunteered to train GHIHR members in a series of six hours of lecture and role playing.
Prof. Baumgartel said, "We will work with the GIHR to set up a training course in which they can learn certain of the social science and psychological concepts to help them solve some of the problems with which they are faced.
"There was a four-hour training session Sunday afternoon at which a group discussion was explored on how the world is seen by typical restaurant owners from an economic point of view.
"There was also role playing and a practice session on better, more effective ways in interviewing proprietors for information getting and attitude change," he said.
Weather
Generally fair this afternoon.
Partly cloudy tonight and tomorrow.
Warmer this afternoon and southeast portion tonight.
Continued mild tomorrow. Low tonight mid 20s. High tomorrow 50s.
Dear Boss:
Kansan Reporter Loses Battle, Finds Trouble
You assigned me to interview the person in charge of the lost and found department in the Kansas Union. My object was to discover what items are most frequently lost and what unusual articles turn up.
I had troubles.
The interview at the information booth did not get past the introduction stage. Two ladies stood behind the counter. The reporter asked the closest one:
"Do you ladies handle the lost and found?"
Answer: "Yes we do."
Question: "I'm from The Daily Kansan and I'd like to ask you..."
Answer; "We don't want that in the paper."
Question: "But this is the lost and found department isn't it?" Answer: "Yes, but we don't want it in the paper.
"The lost and found is just an accommodation for the students. We only take care of items lost and found in the Union. They take care of the rest of it over there."
Question: "Who are they?"
Answer: "I don't know."
Question: "Where is 'over there.'"
Answer: "I don't know. But this is only an accommodation."
Question: "I wanted to ask you about some of the items that have been found."
Answer: "Not this morning. We don't want that in the paper. It is just an accommodation."
Question: "May I thank you."
Answer: "You are quite welcome."