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University Daily Kansan Wednesday, Dec. 16, 1964
Latin America
A Turn Toward Stability
Although it was not a year to be particularly noted for its soft diplomacy and peaceful settlement of problems, the major trend in Latin American affairs in 1964 was not the rapid succession of revolutionary governments that have characterized other years.
Two major South American nations, Bolivia and Brazil, had their governments overturned by revolution and Communist and left-wing forces caused violent eruptions in several others, but the movement toward basic reform, government stability and democratic processes also took major steps forward in Latin America in 1964.
HAVING THE MOST immediate effect on the United States, the anti-American feeling which erupted into violence early in the year in Panama appears to have been the most important development in Latin America in 1964.
The violence raged for several days, mainly because the United States was caught off guard, not having had an American ambassador in the country for five months and because the Panamanian president had his hands tied. With elections coming up in the country, he could not make a strong effort to restore order for fear of alienating the strong anti-American forces in the country.
ONLY AFTER THE turmoil had died down could any steps to bring the two nations together be taken. In April, more than three months after the January outbreak, diplomatic ties finally were resumed and negotiations over the Canal Treaty begun.
The other thorn in the United States' side in connection with its 1964 Latin American relations
was one that has been festering for almost six years now. This year brought no real change in the Cuban situation. Castro is still as firmly entrenched in the island nation as ever, even though there seems to be some evidence that the economic boycott is taking a heavy toll on the Cuban economy.
Desperate for more trade, Castro made some friendly overtures toward the United States, but they were met with cool reservations. He managed to break the boycott stranglehold to the extent that a few purchases were made from Britain and France, but at the year's end it appeared Castro's economy was in deep trouble.
DURING 1964 THE UNITED States finally managed to get the rest of the Latin American nations to take a stand on Cuba. Because of open arms infiltration into Venezuela, the Organization of American States passed a resolution requiring all its members to break diplomatic relations with Cuba and to put the trade embargo into effect. Mexico was the only country which did not comply with the order.
The state of Latin American governments is usually the big news of the area which reaches the United States, and 1964 was no exception. But this year the stories of elections and successful reforms were far more numerous and more important than the stories of revolutions. Even the one of the revolutions, that in Brazil, was more like a reform movement than a revolution. The far-leftist President Joao Goulart was disposed of by the Brazilian government with the popular support of all the people and without bloodshed.
ONLY AFTER THE REVOlution had been completed did the military forces step in and begin to take over the government. The ex-general they installed as the new president, however, was a moderate bent on making basic reform in the government of Brazil.
In Venezuela President Romulo Betancourt became the first president in 134 years to finish his term of office and hand the presidential symbols down to his successor. And it appears that Raul Leoni may become an even more effective leader, in his own way, than Betancourt was before him.
In Chile, Eduardo Frei of the Christian Democratic party won an election in which all Marxist and leftist candidates were soundly defeated and which brought his party to power for the first time. His strong victory was taken as a mandate for the initiation of basic reform in the country.
IN PERU several reform bills were pushed through the legislature this year, including a land reform program that promises the resettlement of one million peasants.
Argentina, the one Latin American country which primarily stayed out of the news in 1964, jumped suddenly back in just as the year was closing. The return of Juan Peron, promised to his followers all year, was finally attempted in December. But the ex-dictator was stopped in Brazil and sent back to Spain. Argentina might feel that it needs some help in the economic collapse that appears to be hanging over its head, but it does not feel it needs that help from Peron.
Jackie Helstrom
Churches Break Traditions
Tradition was broken and new precedents were set in the Roman Catholic Church in 1964. Protestants, not to be left behind, were vocal during the elections and searched for ways to reach the "people." For the religious community it was a time for reform.
CATHOLICS — Mass in English was celebrated for the first time in America Aug. 24, with Joseph Cardinal Ritter facing the congregation from behind the altar and Protestant hymns were sung to close and open the service. This was an indication of just one of the changes taking place in the Catholic Church. With the adjournment of the third session of the 21st Ecumenical Council, Vatican II, Nov. 21, Catholics had declared the Jews not guilty of killing Christ, had summarized the nature of the work of the church, had issued the first decree in history to deal entirely with Catholic efforts toward unity, and had confirmed the autonomy of Eastern-rite Catholics. The second Vatican Council also agreed to encourage Roman Catholics to pray and worship with other Christians.
POPE PAUL VI made news by traveling more than any other Pontiff in history. His recent trip to India and a meeting with the president of Italy were only part of a busy agenda. In August the Pope expressed his willingness to mediate international disputes. The Vatican-Hungary Pact, signed Sept. 15, restored the Catholic Church's right to form a Hungarian hierarchy within the church which would have communication with the Vatican's Holy See.
POLITICS AND the churches In 1964, as never before, religious journals, church groups and individual clergymen were deeply, openly involved in the Presidential election. "Christianity and Crisis," a prestigious journal of Protestant opinion, Christian Century, perhaps the most influential Protestant weekly, and the United Church of Christ's United Church Herald declared against Barry Goldwater. Dean Francis B. Sayre of Washington Cathedral stated that the presidential candidates offered a "sterile choice."
INVOLVING THEMSELVES in questions of political and civil rights, several church bodies took a stand on church integration. Responding to the orders of its General Conference white-
only Methodist jurisdictions in the South have begun to merge with smaller Negro conferences. The Southern Presbyterian Church ordered the integration of its separate white and Negro presbyteries, and a Negro, Dr. Harry Richardson of Atlanta, was elected president of the Georgia Council of Churches. Signs of further progress towards church integration — In Mississippi, church clergy have combined to form a "Committee of Concern" to raise money to rebuild Negro churches destroyed or damaged in that state by racist bomb throwers.
OTHER RELIGIOUS NEWS The U.S. Supreme Court indicated it would be willing to let stand the Pledge of Allegiance to "one nation, under God" by declining to review a New York State court ruling that the phrase is constitutional even when used in public schools.
The Bible was translated for the first time in history by the combined labors of Roman Catholic, Protestant and Jewish scholars.
And finally, religious drama became more contemporary with the premiere of "A Man Dies" in London.
Nancy Schroeter
Top Books of 1964
Foreign intrigue and civil rights captivated great audiences among the literary set in 1964 as authors of spy novels and exponents of racial equality produced some profound material.
The aftermath of the assassination of the late President John F. Kennedy also brought many books about the life, wit, personality and times of the fallen leader.
ONE OF THE MOST EERIE, but most fascinating of the spy books is John Le Carre's "The Spy Who Came In from the Cold." The scene of the plot is West Berlin, and the main character is a CIA man who poses as a counterspy for the United States behind the Iron Curtain.
Also popular were "The New Meaning of Treason" by Rebecca West and "An Instance of Treason" by Chalmers Johnson. Miss West gives a vivid account of the Soviet Union's spies and how and what terrifying deeds they are trained for. Johnson's books tells about the Communist Sorge spy ring in Japan during World War II.
TWO OTHER BEST sellers in '64 which enlightened the American people were about our most secret branch of government, the CIA. The startling and disturbing "The Insivible Government," by David Wise and Thomas B. Ross, is a full, authentic account of America's intelligence and espionage apparatus. The book not only deals with the CIA, but the State Department and the Defense Department.
Paul Blackstock has just finished a book entitled "The Strategy of Treason," that suggests the CIA has gotten far out of its depth. In a well documented book, Blackstock's thesis is that the intelligence organization is a covert one and should be watched.
In civil rights, one of the boldest and most profound attempts to understand the Negro crisis in the United States is "Crisis in Black and White." In the book Charles E. Silberman relates the problems in regard to history and offers possible solutions. "Mississippi: The Closed Society," by James W. Silver, is an acute and painful analysis of the state bedeviled by fantasies in its past and present.
ANOTHER POINT OF VIEW is expressed by James McBride Dabbs in his "Who Speaks for the South," in which he tries to help the South understand itself and the North understand the South.
Among the volumes produced since the Kennedy assassination are "The Kennedy Years," put out by the New York Times and edited by Harold Faber, based on reports, editorials, and columns of that newspaper which have appeared over the last quarter-century. For a personal look into
the late President, "The Kennedy Wit," by William Adler, is an illuminating and enjoyable book appearing in paperback. The combined efforts of Pierre Salinger and Sander Vanocur have produced "A Tribute to John F. Kennedy." UPI and American Heritage have published one of the best sellers and most commendable accounts of the assassination in "Four Days." The Warren Commission Report also has brought record sales.
"A NATION OF Immigrants," written by the late President himself, is more than an updating of a pamphlet he wrote in 1958. The text illustrates specific recommendations which are filled out and enlarged with Kennedy's responsibilities as chief executive.
In the field of autobiographies, Ernest Hemingway remained on the best-seller list even after his death, with "A Moveable Feast." The book is 20 sketches "full of love, loathing, and bitterness" re-written shortly before the author's death. Charlie Chaplin's "My Autobiography" is a provocative account of a curious, difficult man who was one of our greatest comedians. The career, triumphs, persecutions, and citations of Gen. Douglas MacArthur are portrayed in his "Reminiscences."
"CONGRESSMAN From Mississippi," by Frank Smith, a former congressman from that Deep South state, tells how an independent thinking southern representative is unable to bridge the gap between Mississippi and reality.
Other books which commanded the public's attention ranged from "Candy," a beady-eye, tongue-in-cheek pornographic parody, to "The Group," a risque book about the lives, loves, and sexual adventures of eight Vassar graduates. "Candy" is written by Terry Southern and Mason Hoffenberg. "The Group" is by Mary McCarthy.
Also popular in this presidential election year was "Convention," by Fletcher Knebel and Charles Bailey. Others include "The Wapshot Scandal," "The Brigadier and The Golf Widow," both by John Cheever, "The Founding Father," by Richard Whalen, a biography of Joseph Kennedy. It is the first important book about this extraordinary man and his family.
OF SPECIAL INTEREST to the business tycoon was "The Free Enterprisers, Kennedy and Johnson and the Business Establishment." by Hobart Rowen. It offers some valuable lessons between politics and economics because it shows the danger of misjudgment on the part of the businessman.
Corinne Newberry and David Hanks
Dailij Hänsan
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EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT
EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT Jim Langford and Rick Mabbutt Co-Editorial Editors