Annual ROTC review cancelled
By DON BAKER
Kansan Staff Writer
The University Senate Executive (SenEx) Committee and the KU ROTC Commanders voted Tuesday to cancel this year's Tri-Service ROTC Review in light of current problems prevalent in many of the nation's university and college campuses.
In a statement released shortly after the recess of a meeting with Chancellor E. Laurence Chalmers, the two bodies said the action was taken in the best interest of the University of Kansas.
The statement read: "The University Senate Executive Committee and the ROTC Commanders recognize the right of assembly for any legitimate University group and the right of expression of dissent, and yet we believe that, because of the atmosphere of tension that currently prevails nationally and because of the recent events that have occurred on numerous university and college campuses, it is in the best interests of the University of Kansas and its people that this year's planned Tri-Service Review of May 8,1970,not be held. Accordingly,the Senate Executive Committee and the ROTC Commanders announce the cancellation of this years planned Tri-Service Review."
Rick von Ende, SenEx vice-chairman, had little comment on the decision but said his feelings were expressed in the release. Evidence was present that if the review was held, disruption could have been expected, he said.
Chalmers also released a statement at the close of the meeting which said: "Whenever a group of students yields its rights to peaceable assembly in order to serve the best interests of the larger community, their actions deserve everyone's commendation. I am extremely proud of our ROTC cadets and of their commanders for their recognition of the special circumstances that produced this voluntary restraint. It will reinforce the commitment of this University community to our ROTC programs."
Chalmers also said the cancellation was not necessarily a result of events that have occurred at KU and in Lawrence during the past few weeks but rather international and national events.
Capt. Joseph O. Marzluff, commanding officer of the Naval ROTC and chairman of this year's review, expressed disappointment at the decision but added it was the best course of action.
Marzluff said, "With the current tensions throughout the country, it is just not conducive to having the review."
He said the decision was not made solely by the military and that Tuesday's march to the Military Science building was in no way related to the decision.
Reaction from students within ROTC was similar to Marzluff's. Doug Scheffner, Manitou Springs, Colo, junior and Army ROTC information officer said that most men felt like they were being let down again.
Scheffner added, "However, it was decided upon by the cadrey and I'm sure the cadrey was looking out for the best interests."
Student body president Bill Ebert agreed the decision was in the best interest of the University.
"I'm relieved that it is cancelled because without doubt it was a potentially explosive situation," Ebert said. "I'm sorry for the ROTC because I know they believe their rights have been abridged," he added.
The KU Committee for Alternatives (KUCA) said Tuesday night they plan a rally beginning at 9 p.m. today on the steps of Strong Hall. Beverly Pryce, Stockton, N.J. sophomore and a KUCA spokesman, said the rally will be in celebration of the cancelled review.
80th Year, No.129
The University of Kansas Lawrence, Kansas Wednesday, May 6,1970
See inside...
Chancellor's letter to KUCA...page 8
UDK News Roundup
By United Press International
Hanoi boycotts Paris talks
PARIS—The Viet Cong and North Vietnamese boycotted today's scheduled 66th session of the Vietnam peace talks in protest against President Nixon's policies in Indochina. The meeting was cancelled.
North Vietnam's spokesman said the oneweek boycott was motivated by what he called "Nixon's determination to prolong the war in South Vietnam, step up the war in Laos, and lately by launching an open aggression against Cambodia."
Medina asks for support
MONTROSE, Colo.—Army Capt. Ernest L. Medina, charged with murder as a result of the alleged My Lai massacre in South Vietnam, has called on his homestate of Colorado for both "moral and financial" support in the months to come.
Paul De Julio of Montrose, a long-time friend of the military officer, said he had received a letter from Medina saying he would need help if he was to successfully fight charges against him.
War declaration proposed
WASHINGTON—Rep. Richard D. McCarthy, D.N.Y., introduced a proposal Tuesday calling for a U.S. declaration of war against North Vietnam. He said the move could bring about a compromise settlement of the war.
McCarthy's measure was believed to be the first such resolution introduced in the House in the five years that U.S. and North Vietnamese troops have been battling.
KU mourners march for Kent State four
Students at the University of Kansas held a march yesterday in memoriam for four students at Kent State University who were shot Monday in campus demonstrations against ROTC in Kent, Ohio.
The march was planned to honor those students but also rapped at the KU ROTC program, President Nixon's current policy in Cambodia and the attitude of Americans toward student reactions this spring. It began at the Kansas Union and ended at the National Guard Armory here, with the formation of a program to plant four trees near the Kansas Union, in honor of the dead students.
Organizers of the plan said the trees would be planted during the "Festival of Life" to be held Friday at Potter Lake.
The march which began at 11:15 a.m. progressed down Jayhawk Boulevard, around the Chi Omega fountain and then to the Military Science Building.
Many of the group carried flags. Four members of the march carried a coffin that was later taken to the National Guard Armory. The coffin represented the four students killed at Kent State.
As the crowd, about 400 strong, passed Strong Hall one student lowered the American Flag in front of Strong to half mast.
Many of the crowd, singing The Battle Hymn of the Republic and other patriotic songs, asked other students to join the march. As the march passed Green Hall some of the marchers asked the law students to join them, "Come on down legalists." None of the law students joined the march.
Marchers handed out literature pertaining to the war in Cambodia and the students killed in Ohio to students, bus drivers and a group of construction workers.
The march gained support as it moved down Jayhawk Boulevard and the crowd that finally arrived at the Mili-
(Continued to page 20)
Photo by Ron Bishop
The memorial march rally
The memorial march Tuesday for the four students killed at Kent State University ended at the Lawrence National Guard Armory. The peaceful march with the symbolic coffin began at the Kansas Union and proceeded to the Military Science Building before heading for the Armory.