Oil Stains Along The Petomac
In pitiful taste
At the hippy-type "be-in" last Saturday afternoon, a KU coed appeared wearing an American flag.
Indeed, the sight of the young lady dragging the Stars and Stripes was obnoxious. Moreover, she was probably breaking the law. The whole incident was reprehensible, but minor.
Now, however, among a few of the good people of Lawrence, there is the smell of tar and the sound of gallows being hammered into kangaroo shape.
"Unfortunately," wrote the editorialist, "extremist activity in our country in recent years has tended to make many citizens reluctant to speak out on matters of patriotism—for fear of being branded as some kind of red-hot. This is too bad. There still is plenty of room in our society for sincere expressions of patriotism, and it is understandable that a lot of citizens—vocal or silent—are quite disturbed by the Potter Lake exhibition of the flag-clad woman."
WITH A LENGTHY EDITORIAL and a letter from the American Legion, the local paper has transformed the flag-wearing incident from a minor skirmish into a Red-Alert—American patriotism, feel the local pundits, must now rise to the bulwarks lest we be overrun by young ladies wearing flags, campus hippies and "extremist" students.
Horatio would have left his bridge had he been forced to defend such gibberish.
Nonetheless, the attitude of the local paper and the local American Legion is understandable. It is popular and convenient for the older set to believe that they have been charged with restoring patriotism to this country—all the way from Pennsylvania Avenue to Massachusetts Street. But they have misconstrued their patriotism—they have taken the easy way out.
WHILE THE LOCAL PRESS pats itself on the back for condemnation of hippies and students who question the status quo, there are some restaurants, barber shops and realtors in this town who still refuse to serve a Negro.
Of course there is a need for the restoration of patriotism, for reconsideration of the ideals that are America. But such restoration and reconsideration — if legitimate — do not begin with a Fourth of July parade or a haughty condemnation.
For while the Dorscy-Liberty Post No.14 of the American Legion morally arms itself against ladies in flags, there is poverty and genuine human suffering that goes unchecked in East and North Lawrence.
Only patience, compassion and common sense will ever keep this nation great.
-Dan Austin
The Alianza and its troubles
By JOHN GANGI
"Unless the rich are willing to use some of their riches more wisely, unless the privileged are willing to yield up their privileges to a common good . . . our Alianza will fail."
This was John F. Kennedy's cry to Latin - Americans four years ago. But is it so different from what Johnson said in his
First in a two-part series
address to Latin-Americans last week at the summit meeting of the presidents of the Americas at Punta del Este, Uruguay?
"The Latin-American common market, once achieved, will alter the economy of the hemisphere and will have consequences in every sector of social and political organization."
And are those words so different from those of Hugo Montes Brunet? "Punta del Este and a common market are of real importance to the development of Latin America. It is a step toward a community of nations on an economic and educational basis."
MONTES IS DEAN of the school of philosophy and education at the Catholic University, Valparaiso, Chile, and one of 23 leading Latin-American educators participating in the Eighth Seminar in Higher Education in the Americas at KU.
The Alliance for Progress survives and the ambitions of one president have been realized by 19 presidents of the Americas.
They met at Punta del Este to talk and act on the problems of
uncultivated soil and medieval agronomy, illiteracy and backward education, building and industry, and health conditions. And behind locked doors they undoubtedly whispered something about birth control.
FOR TWO DAYS they talked, each president getting his chance until finally the "gringo" from the North took the platform.
Johnson said he was impressed with the wonderful cooperation shown by the nationalistic and independent countries of Latin-America and the progress made in the last few years.
HIS EMPHASIS was on self-help and multilateral cooperation and asked for:
- An expansion of Latin-
American trade
- Modernization of Latin-
American agriculture
- Expansion of health Measures
Multinational projects
- Elimination of unnecessary military spending
- Improved educational systems to combat illiteracy
- Scientific and technological gaps to be filled
- Two days of speeches and conferences came to a close with the signing of the Declaration of Presidents, an 11.000-word document which envisions a functioning common market by 1985, and proposes self-help projects in health, education and development.
- A common market, functioning by 1985
However, Otto Arosemena Gomez, interim president of Ecuador, refused to sign. He asked
for more aid from the U.S., but he found no support.
HE FREQUENTLY reminded his colleagues that his refusal to sign was not due to a lack of respect, and said, "We have rejected it completely because we consider that it does not satisfy the aspirations of our people in the aspects that are regarded as fundamental to achieving the rapid economic and social growth of Latin-America."
The Rev. Alfonso Villaba Aulestia, vice-rector, Catholic University, Quito, Ecuador, and a participant in the seminar said, "Arosemena's actions were transitory and did not really hurt."
The conference did not solve or attempt to solve all of Latin-America's problems.
WILL JOHNSON approve their requests for preferential tariffs for their products, and ease Alliance for Progress requirements so that funds given under this program could be used to buy Latin-American products?
The requests remain for Johnson and his advisors to answer. But what will Latin-Americans do about a population growth rate of nearly 3 per cent, the largest in the world?
Official Bulletin
Fiveeen Students; Sign up in now in Kansas City. It's a baseball game May 7.
Latin American Club, 7:30 p.m.
Alcove's A. B. & C. Kansas Union.
TODAY
Humanities Lecture, 8 p.m. Dr. Wm.
McDernott, U. of Pa. "Cicero &
Classical Tradition" University
Theatre.
Senior Recital, 8 p.m. Elaine Millet,
plamist. Swarthout Recital Hall.
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY kansan
Newsroom—UN 4-3646 — Business Office—UN 4-3198
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TOMORROW
The Daily Kansan, student newspaper at The University of Kansas, is representant of the Student Publishing Service. At last 50 St. New York, N.Y., 16022 Mail subscription rates: $8.00 per month, postage paid at Lawrence, Kan., every afternoon during the University year except Saturdays and Sundays. University holidays and examination periods accommodations, goods, services and employment advertised in the University are offered to all students without regard to color, creed or national origin.
The opinions expressed in the editorial column are those of the students whose names are signed to them. Guest editorial views are not necessarily the editor's. Any opinions expressed in the Daily Kaisan are not necessarily those of The University of Kansas Administration or the State Board of Regents.
EXECUTIVE STAFF
Managing Editor... John McCabe
Business Manager... Tom Cayn
Editorial Editor... Dan Austin, Barb Phillips
Ph.D. Final Exam, 2 p.m. Sung Jin Lea Education, 111 Ba.
Classical Film, 7 & 9 p.m. "Great
Theater Comedy." American.
Devleh And.
Lecture, 8 p.m. Rectors from VIIIII Seminar. "El problema indigenista en el desarrollo en nais latinoamericanos" Javahawk Room, Union.
Poetry Reading. 8 p.m. Richard Willem
Brown, winning poet. Fortune Forum.
Graduate Recital, 8 p.m. Jeanneette
Jenkins pianoist Swarthout
Recital Hall
2
Daily Kansan
editorial page
Tuesday, April 25, 1967
UDK Opera Review: The Magic Flute
Flute: an evening of entertainment
By GARY MITCHELL
Last week a cynical rumor had it that "The Magic Flute" as it was to be presented by the University Theatre and the School of Fine Arts would have to be retitled either "The Magic Flop" or "The Murky Flute." Last Friday's opening night proved such cynicism groundless.
"The Magic Flute" is a fantasy-comedy-romance opera and an "opera" in its most literal sense, being as it is a masterwork of music (by Mozart), staging (by Tom Rea), musical direction (by George Lawner and James Ralston), choreography (by Yen Lu Wong), costuming (by Chez Haehl), sets (by James Hawes), lighting (by Charles Lown), acting (by a large and very fine company of KU students), and script (by Emanuel Schikaneder and Ruth and Thomas Martin).
ALL THESE THINGS combine to give us one evening of artistic theatre of the highest caliber.
"Magic" is the key word, and magic flourishes in this production. If you have never seen an opera or if you think opera can not be great entertainment, try an evening of "Magic Flute." You will probably be surprised. And surprised pleasantly.
Good acting and excellent singing rarely combine in the same person, and when they do, one notices and admires that person for very good reason. David Holloway as Papageno, Shirley Williams as Pamina, and Mike Riley as Sarastro are such doubly-blessed persons and put their blessings to good use in their stellar roles.
Bruce Gardner, playing Prince Tamino, displays a highly trained, beautiful voice but his acting is a bit stiff and unrelaxed though largely convincing.
COMPARING DAVID HOLLOWAY to Gardner (and one is forced to compare them since they are purposely balanced off in true Rococo style; noble' peasant, hero' coward, stoic/epicure, for example), it is clear that Holloway steals the show quite away from the prince. Holloway is an energetic, colorful actor as well as a powerful and meticulous singer. Mr. Gardner would do well to take a hint from Holloway's enthusiasm and play a less tame and more vibrant Tamino.
Some minor roles were handled noticeably well. Susan Kelly, Carol Wilcox, and Shirley Potter played a particularly good first scene. Jack Nuzum, Harlan Jennings and Doris Holloway conveyed character with musical clarity. Displaying fine musicianship but weak enunciation and projection of words were Marva Lou Sneegas as the Queen of the Night and David Bezona as Monostratos. Unfortunately, too, because these two characters are the chief "bag guys" and one wants to know very much what deviltry they have afoot.
The sets, the direction and the special effects deserve special mention for their striking effectiveness. Lighting did not measure up, being on the whole a bit too dim for my eyes, even with the knowledge that the play is supposed to be shadowy and fantastic.
ORCHESTRAL ACCOMPANIMENT proved top-notch. We were presented an overture that sparkled crisp and lively, itself a harbinger to a crisps and lively opera. Dr.Rea,Dr.Lawner and a spirited cast are to be commended for a nicely-paced and thoroughly enjoyable evening at the opera.