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University Daily Kansan
Monday, Dec. 15, 1958
Man of the Year
(Editors' Note: As the Christmas season and year's end approach, we take stock of the disappearing year once again. Students in The Editorial class have selected their candidates for the most important men and events for 1958, and their findings will be given this week. This is an attempt to gain perspective on the year—listing the important things and the trivia that have affected us, from Quemoy to the chemise.)
Charles de Gaulle, who returned from retirement to bring new strength to the French government, has been named Man of the Year in a selection made by Daily Kansan executives and students of the editorial class.
The old soldier edged out Mao Tse-tung, premier of Communist China.
Saved France from Collapse
De Gaulle was recognized for stepping in to save a nation beyond hope. Some students of government saw de Gaulle's move to lead the people of France as the only thing which saved the country from complete collapse.
Although France has long been known for its multi-party system (where you could find a party to suit almost any whim) here was a man in which nearly all the people put their trust.
It seemed that the people of France had finally found something in which most of them could agree. This in itself is a near-miracle.
Mao and the Communes
Running close behind de Gaulle was a man who was chosen, not for his ability to lead people, but for his ability to crush them. Mao Tse-tung stepped into the spotlight for the sweeping commune system which he put into operation in China. This system, the Red leader boasts, means that the 500 million people of China own nothing except the clothes on their back.
The new commune society has thrown the people of China into a life such as George Orwell visioned in his book, "1984." Orwell's book, some thought, was fantasy—a kind of society that could never exist.
The Fantasy is Real
But now, because of the ruthlessness of Mao Tse-tung, we need look only to China to find a land ruled by the concepts that:
War is Peace
Freedom is Slavery
Ignorance is Strength
Nikita Khrushchev follows on the list of the top ten. He was chosen because of the strides made in Russia during the past year in scientific and economic growth. Also, Khrushchev has seemingly come out on top in power struggles that have taken place during the year. His position as the number one man in Russia this year has proved his power over the people and the government of the Soviet Union.
Next on the list was Boris Pasternak. His book, Dr. Zhivago, won the Nobel Prize for literature and nearly won him a trip to the firing squad. His
big mistake, in the eyes of the Russians, was the brief, off-hand criticism of Communism in the book
Like the freedom fighters of Hungary in 1956, Pasternack is placed with the top men of the year because he was able to show Communism for what it really is.
If you are elected to the governorship in the country's most populous state while your party is taking a drubbing at the polls, you're sure to receive a lot of recognition. Thus, Nelson Rockefeller was added to the list of the top 10 men.
His victory might mean his name will be on the Republican side of the 1960 presidential ballot.
Faubus Made News
Number six on the list was Arkansas Governor Orval Faubus, a man who knows a lot about how to win elections. He closed the schools of Little Rock in September, leading the way for such maneuvering in other parts of the south.
On the assumption that he and his southern followers are the only ones going the right way, Faubus holds the firm conviction that no school is better than school with Negroes.
Nixon Gets a Place
Richard Nixon, the vice president who some people feel is more popular abroad than at home, was seventh in the voting. Nixon was noted for his bravery in the South American rioting during his good will tour and also for the warm reception he received in England during his recent visit. It was also noted that, as chief campaigner for the Republicans, he failed in his mission to bring the GOP into power in Congress.
Ike Still Liked
Number nine was President Eisenhower, who gained the position mainly for his role as leader of the largest and strongest free country in the world. It might also be noted that, in spite of the Republicans' heavy losses in November, Eisenhower is still a very popular man.
Gamal Abdel Nasser was next in line. He is the successful president of the United Arab Republic and his forces caused the U.S. plenty of grief throughout the Middle East.
It might also be interesting to note here that Vice President Nixon was named above President Eisenhower—and that Nelson Rockefeller was rated above either of these men.
The final member of the top 10 was Dr. Werner von Braun, the German scientist who is now considered the United States' number one expert on space problems. If you were to pick out a man who would lead the field in this country's race to conquer outer space, von Braun would have to be the man.
Of the ten men selected, six might be considered "heroes" by the Western world.
The other four—Mao, Khrushchev, Nasser, and Faubus—made news which was disconcerting to most Western thought. But even as "villains," they made news. —Bob Macy
LITTLE MAN ON CAMPUS By Dick Bibler
"IVE HEARD ABOUT THESE NEW CAR SAFETY BELTS-BUT-"
Dailu hansan
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Malcolm Applegate -- Managing Editor
Leroy Lord, Pat Swanton, Martha Crosier, Doug Parker, Assistant
Marketing Manager, City Editor; Jeanne Arnold, Society
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; Don Culp, Assistants Sports Editor
NEWS DEPARTMENT
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EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT
Al Jones Editor/ Editorial
John Husar, Associate Editorial
Editor
By Richard Crocker
NIKI, by Tibor Derry. Doubleday, $2.95.
"Nothing can replace freedom, nothing can possibly be superior to it."
These few words are the basis of this extremely short novel, which is essentially a protest against communism or any controlled society. Surprisingly, it is disguised as a dog story.
Mr. Derry sets out to explore the intricate relationship between beast and master. In doing so, he creates a damning commentary on the Communist system.
The relationship between man and beast is one based on mutual affection and understanding. So should be the relationship between man and his government. These are the basic intimations of the book.
★ ★ ★
Mr. Derry writes: "In her total dependence on man, Niki was like those detainees who have no idea why they have been put in prison nor how long they will stay there; or the assistants in the nationalized Kozert food shops who are completely ignorant of why, from one day to the next, they have been transferred to a branch at the other end of the city, an hour and a half by trolley from their home; or like those writers who do not know why they are writing what they are writing.
★ ★ ★
"Only a strong reciprocal affection can render such dependence bearable. It happened that in Niki's case that affection was well established on both sides. But when we consider ... However, no more of that, we are dealing with a lovely day in the country."
The inference the author intends the reader to take is obvious here. While Niki's dependence upon her master is bearable because it is based upon mutual affection, that of the peoples of Eastern Europe is not, because it lacks such a basis.
The Communists, he says, have attempted to replace freedom with a system that commands neither affection nor understanding. In doing so, they have failed to realize that freedom is irreplaceable, especially by a way of life such as theirs.
Mr. Derry, a Hungarian, is currently denied the freedom he writes of so vividly. In 1957 the Supreme Hungarian Court sentenced him to nine years in prison for "hostile activities during the events of November 1956 and subsequently aiming at 'overthrowing the order of the State.'"
★ ★ ★
The author has written not only a political commentary in this book but also a deeply compassionate story of a man, his wife, and their dog. He tells the story of Niki, who is deprived of a degree of her freedom by a move to Budapest from the country. The story of Niki's resultant loss of health and the downgrading within the party of her master, Mr. Ansca, is touching and tragic.
Mr. Derry is a writer of some note in his own country and it is obvious why. He is a master of observation and description.
However, the most intriguing facet of Mr. Derry's writing is the depth he gives to the character of the dog. At times it seems the book is taken from a psychoanalysis of Niki, it is so complete. But never does this reach a point where it disturbs the reader.
Mr. Derry has written a book that is of interest both for its political philosophy and its story. It is a book that could be recommended to anyone, with certainty that it would bring enjoyment.
It Looks This Way . . .
By Alan Jones
This is sort of a parting address. Toward the end of each semester, it is traditional for the departing editor to greet his successor, and tell the Kansan's 8,000 readers how much fun and how much work the editorial job has been.
Well, starting this week. Mlles. Patricia Swanson and Martha Crosier will begin taking over as editorial editors. I wish them joy in the task.
A few things we may never get around to otherwise:
The Jayhawker promotion staff has once again sent letters to parents of seniors who haven't bought
their magazine. The pitch is more subdued than last year's, but it still seems sort of underhanded. I'd rather have the six bucks for beer, and the folks might not know that.
Another thing—what's wrong with the commercial Christmas that everyone howls about? Let's face it, Christmas as a religious holiday has just about died. And as far as the gift racket goes, who wouldn't rather have a new rifle or a portable radio than the old moldy oranges that Bob Cratchit put in the kids' stockings? Of course, I don't believe that Santa Claus really works for Berl Berry, but somebody has to make a buck.
In re the Man of the Year stuff elsewhere on the page—it's suggested every year, but how about the American taxspayer? He finances half the world (well, partly, at least), and if he didn't we'd be in one fine fix. Without him, these million or so GIs would never have seen Paris in the last 10 years.