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University Daily Kansan Thursday. April 1, 1965
Rain Wrecks Fire Raid; North Losses Still Great
SAIGON — (UPI) Reconnaissance pilots reported heavy enemy losses today in the stepped-up American drive against Communist positions on both sides of the 17th parallel. An estimated 200 guerrilla bodies were sighted on a battlefield near Da Nang.
But hoped-for Communist casualties in a massive fire bomb raid yesterday by U.S. Air Force planes failed to materialize.
THE INCENDIARY explosives set fire to parts of a 48 square mile area of Communist-infested forest north-west of Saigon, but the flames were extinguished by rain before they could spread over the entire target.
"The fire was just beginning to spread when a thundershower fell in the area between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m." an Air Force spokesman said.
More than 2,000 guerrillas were believed entrenched in caves and tunnels honeycombing the forest. Air Force planes had earlier sprayed chemicals over the forest to kill the foliage.
THE SPOKESMAN quoted Maj. John D. Neet of Orlando, Fla., as saying the fire itself was responsible for creating updraft conditions in the atmosphere that could have started the rain.
started the war. It was the first time such fire tactics had been used against the Vict Cong.
The anti-guerrilla actions were ordered Wednesday as American and South Vietnamese commanders suddenly quickened the pace of the war in what appeared to be a partial response to Tuesday's terror bombing at the U.S. Embassy in Saigon.
AT THE SAME TIME, nearly 120 U.S. and South Vietnamese fighterbombers struck radar installations across the border in North Vietnam in the continuing effort to knock out the Hanoi regime's air defense network.
The fighting in the Da Nang area—35 miles south of the big American air base—was also costly for U.S. and Vietnamese forces. Two Americans were killed and 17 others wounded when Viet Cong gunners shot down three U.S. helicopters airlifting Vietnamese troops into battle.
Nine Vietnamese troops were reported killed, 64 wounded and 20 missing.
VIETNAMESE military spokesmen said the enemy ground fire was unusually heavy because it had been decided to forego the usual "softening up" by dive bombers in advance of the attack.
The object was to avoid telegraphing the punch.
The strategy was at least partially successful. Reports from the battlefield said 50 guerrillas were killed by the attacking force in the helicopter landing area.
U. S. JET AIR POWER was called in later. Three American B57 bombers and two F100 fighter-bombers
poured tons of bombs and defoliating chemicals on the Communist concentration.
Ground troops were making their way to the area today.
U. S. Undersecretary of State George W. Ball assured the NATO Permanent Council this remains Washington's policy. But he said that so far the Communists have shown no readiness to negotiate themselves.
PARIS—(UPI)The United States told its North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) allies today President Johnson is willing to take part in Viet Nam peace talks—but only if Communist aggression ceases.
NATO Told U.S. Ready To Negotiate
World Spotlight
WASHINGTON—(UPI)President Johnson holds a top-level council of war today to hear Ambassador Maxwell D. Taylor's new proposals for forcing the Vietnamese Communists to lay down their arms and negotiate.
Secretary of State Dean Rusk and Defense Secretary Robert S. McNamara were scheduled to attend the afternoon meeting at the executive mansion. Taylor has said he will offer "definite proposals" on U.S. policy in the Southeast Asian conflict.
There were strong indications the President would decide to pursue with new intensity the fight against the Viet Cong rebels in the South and the Red regime in North Viet Nam.
LBJ. Vict Ambassador to Meet
Communism Study Clears Unit
TOPEKA—(UPI)—A bill requiring the teaching of Americanism versus Communism was tentatively approved Wednesday by the Kansas Senate despite efforts of Democrats and one Republican to defeat the measure.
The bill, endorsed by the American Legion and the Kansas Bar Association, would require 10 clock hours of the subject to be taught in Kansas high schools. It would not apply to parochial schools.
WASHINGTON—(UPI)—Ray C. Bliss took over today as Republican national chairman with a call for the GOP to build a party which "offers a broad appeal to all citizens."
Bliss Takes GOP Reins
"We must become a party of awareness and concern and hope for the men and women of America." Bliss said in a speech prepared for the 13th annual Republican women's conference. It was his first speech at the party helm.
Bliss called upon the GOP to determine and then act upon issues that are of "the deepest concern to most people . . . based upon a realistic consideration of their wants and needs rather than an abstract reference to ideological terms."
Ball gave the council a 30-minute report on American policy in Viet Nam.
LONDON—(UPI)—Lady Churchill, the late Sir Winston Churchill's beloved "Clemmie," turned 80 today. She was showered with hundreds of birthday cards from well-wishers all over the world.
"Our job," he said, "is to make the GOP stand for something more than Grand Old Party. Let's make the GOP mean the Golden Opportunity Party. Let's make the GOP represent government of the people."
Lady Churchill Turns 80 Today
An atmosphere of sadness still hung over the Georgian town house at No. 28 Hyde Park Gate as mailmen turned into the quiet deadend street carrying their bundles of good cheer.
Today's milestone for the dignified lady was one of the few times in more than 50 years that she and Sir Winston had not shared a birthday toast. There were times when his war time duties took him away from her but birthdays in his latter years were always something "special"—champagne occasions.
NATO sources said that there was general agreement among council members that means for opening peace talks should continue to be explored. The sources said it also was agreed that the risk of Communist expansion in Southeast Asia remains higher.
French NATO delegate Pierre de Leusse said his government also still favors Viet Nam peace negotiations. He added that desire for peace is high among the Vietnamese people who have been at war continuously for 25 years.
NATO sources said Ball gave the council a full rundown on the U.S. government's position on Viet Nam as it already has been made known in statements by Johnson and other government officials.
The sources said Ball reiterated Johnson's willingness to negotiate if the Communists ceased aggression. But they said he gave no new information beyond what generally was known.
British Disarmament Minister Lord Chalfont was reported to have announced the British government's strong support for the United States in Viet Nam.
Lindquist Quits Seat on Council
Carl Lindquist, Prairie Village senior and All Student Council representative (UP, college men) resigned from the ASC last Tuesday night.
Mike Miner, Lawrence senior and ASC chairman, read his letter of resignation at the Council meeting Tuesday. In the letter, Lindquist said he was resigning because he feels he does not have sufficient time for his council duties along with increased academic responsibilities for graduation.
Mary Kirkpatrick, Nickerson sophomore, was appointed by Harry Bretschneider, Kansas City, Mo. senior and UP secretary-general, to fill the remainder of Lindquist's term, which expires at spring election.
TANGIER, Morocco — (UPI) — Search planes scanned the sea today looking for bodies from a holiday airliner which crashed Wednesday, killing all but three of the 53 persons aboard.
Plane Crash Kills 50 Near Gibraltar
By late Wednesday night, the bodies of 27 women and 17 men had been recovered and taken to Cadiz, Spain.
The three survivors were taken to a hospital in Tangier. They were reported in fair condition.
Future Bright for Paper Contracts
The chartered twin-engine Iberia airliner went down in the fog-covered Strait of Gibraltar shortly before it was due to land here on a flight from Malaga, on the southern coast of Spain.
NEW YORK —(UPI) —Negotiators were optimistic today that a new contract could be reached without a walkout at seven major daily papers.
With the immediate threat of a strike deadline removed representatives of the International Typographical Union (ITU) and the Publishers Association of New York City held a relatively relaxed session Wednesday afternoon. Another meeting was planned today.
The conferees put into writing agreements reached in their marathon talks which started Tuesday.
SUA Special Film Series
presents
Humphrey Bogart
in
THE
TREASURE OF SIERRA MADRE
John Huston's Academy Award Study of Greed
“Tuesday After Spring Break”
7 p.m. Tuesday, April 13
Dyche — Admission 50c
White Stag