Battalion Editorials
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Page 2
TUESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1951 i
More of This, Please .
Denounces Russian ‘Evil War by Proxy i
Truman Asks For Vast Mobilization
A SHORT while before the Christmas holi
days, the Battalion, in two separate ed
itorials, urged the instructors in the School
of Military Science to keep these students
. informed of any draft law changes and de
plored the flippant attitude toward the Ko
rean situation adopted by some of the in
structors.
Front page stories in most of the state
papers last week showed just how serious
the problem of “draft jitters” is becoming to
the college student. Students from colleges
all over Texas were quitting school to vol
unteer for the armed forces. Most of them
were trying to get into the Air Force or
Navy to avoid drafting into the infantry.
It is encouraging then to see some of our
instructors realizing their students’ worries
and attempting to advise them on a proper
course of action.
Lt. Col. Shelly P. Myers, in a talk to his
senior Coast Artillery class last Friday, gave
the most logical approach to the problem
we’ve heard yet. Col. Myers told his stu
dents to stop their worrying and go ahead
with their schooling, plans, and dreams. Then
if world affairs changed so that the Army
didn’t need them, the students would be pre
pared to face the problems which ordinarily
face the new college graduate. On the other
hand, if they were needed by the Army,
they would be called and no amount of wor
rying would change the situation.
Such an attitude effects as much “peace
of mind” as can be achieved in the war-
torn world of today.
We Need Allies Who Will Fight.
T HE NEWS that our government is send
ing arms and ammunition to the Chinese
Nationalist troops in Formosa is most wel
come.
The United States cannot maintain an
anti-Communist front in Asia without Asian
allies. An attempt to do that would be folly.
Chiang Kai-Shek has in Formosa the
■largest anti-Communist land force in Asia.
The Nationalist guerrillas fighting the Reds
on the Chinese mainland are the only force
now conducting an offensive against Com
munism, even though it may be little more
than hit and run.
United Nations troops are retreating 1 in
Korea, and the French campaign against
Communist-led rebels in Indo-Chinese is
largely a defensive operation.
Unless and until Japan is rearmed, Chi-
ang’s Nationalists will be the only force in
that part of the world to which we could look
for substantial help in opposing Red aggres
sion.
President Truman has acted wisely in
sending arms and ammunition to the Na
tionalists. Whatever else may be said of
him, Chiang was our loyal ally through
World War II, He didn’t fold up in the war
against Japan, as so many others did. And
he has proved the sincerity of his oppos
ition to Communism by fighting it for a
quarter century.
The United States should do all its re
sources will permit to strengthen genuine
anti-Communist forces wherever they can be
found. Japan and Spain should have high
priority, for both can make substantial con
tributions to the cause.
Arming Japan should not be delayed by
any idea that it can wait until we and our
former allies have gone through the motions
of an old-fashioned peace conference. Mos
cow doesn’t stand on such formalities and
we will have to discardThem, too in dealing
with the Russians. We may have lost the
initiative in Germany by pursuing a policy
of conventional diplomacy. The mistake
should not be repeated in Japan.
No political formalities bar the way to
a realistic alliance with Spain, even though
left-wing Socialists in Europe, who don’t
want to fight anyway, won’t like it. Fran
co has 23 divisions and 16 more in reserve.
They are needed for defense of Western
Europe. Given modern equipment, they
can become a great asset.
Allied air bases are needed in Spain to
keep open the Mediterranean sea lanes we
would have to use in defending the Persian
Gulf area oil fields and Belgian Congo uran
ium and cobalt deposits. We should be build
ing those bases now.—The Houston Press.
By ROGER D. GREENE
Associated Press Writer
P RESIDENT Truman told the nation yes
terday “we will fight, if fight we must”
to block the threat of world conquest by
Russia.
In a rousing speech, heard by millions
over radio, the President called for a vast
mobilization effort capable of producing
50,000 planes and 35,000 tanks a year if
needed.
He pledged that the United States will
forsake neither western Europe nor other
free nations against Red aggression.
Bigger Draft
The President said more money, a “ma
jor” tax increase and a bigger draft of
manpower will be needed to prepare for
the possibility of “a full-scale war.”
Addressing Congress in his “State of
the Union” message, Mr. Truman declar
ed.:
“We are preparing for full war-time
mobilization, if that should be necessary.
“The threat of world conquest by Sov
iet Russia endangers our liberty and en
dangers the kind of world in which the
free spirit of man can survive.
Total Threat
“The threat is a total threat and the
danger is a common danger.
“All free nations are exposed and are
all in peril. Their only security lies in
banding together. No one nation can find
protection in a selfish search for a haven
from the storm.”
Mr. Truman bitterly denounced Russia
for waging “an evil war by proxy” in
Korea and called it a move by “the Rus
sian Communist dictatorship to take over
the world step by step.”
The President said the United States is
willing “as we have always been, to nego
tiate honorable settlements with the Soviet
Union,” but with out-thrust jaw he de
clared:
“We will not engage in appeasement:
Applause greeted that affirmation.
Russia Always Mobilized
Mr. Truman accused the Soviets of
keeping Russia and its satellite nations
“in a state of perpetual mobilization,” and
he declared:
“The imperialism of the czars has been
replaced by the even more ambitious, more
crafty, and more menacing imperialism of
the rulers of the Soviet Union.
“The Soviet rulers have made it clear
that we must have strength as well as
right on our side. If we build strength
. . . the Soviet rulers may face the facts
and lay aside their plans to take over the
world. . . that is what we are trying to
bring about. That is the only realistic road
to peace.”
“Great Desicions”
Mr. Truman warned the lawmakers that
they must make “great decisions” in the
months ahead to cope with the global cri
sis.
He called for changes in the draft law,
greater powers to impose wage-price con
trols, and continued military and economic
aid to our allies.
It is going to be “a long pull,” he said.
The lawmakers listened solemnly as Mr.
Truman drew an ominous picture of the
Russian shadow over the free world.
The first applause came after 13 min
utes when Mr. Truman said that the/'coun
tries which have received U. S. billions
in Marshall Aid are “now ready to use
this strength in helping to build a strong
combined defense against aggression.”
Applause Eisenhower Mention
Waves of applause rolled up when Mr.
Truman mentioned General Eisenhower,
supreme commander of a projected 1,000,000
man Western European Army, and urged
support for the general on his mission.
Administration Democrats generally ap
plauded his message as “powerful,” “up
lifting” and “magnificent.” Republicans and
southern democrats were more restrained.
Rep. Martin (R-Mass), House GOP lead
er, commented:
“It is reassuring that there is to be no
more appeasement of Russia. We are all
ready to unite to do that which is neces
sary to make a strong America, both from
a military and economic sense.”
Some said they were disappointed that
Mr. Truman took the occasion to re
vive his pleas for such controversal mea
sures as health insurance and federal
aid to education.
One significant omission, was the ab
sence of any mention about sending more
American troops to Europe.
At one point, he declared:
“Our Unity Involved”
“Our own national unity is deeply in
volved with that of the other free nations.
While they need our support, we equally
need theirs. Our national safety would be
gravely prejudiced if the Soviet Union
were to succeed in harnessing to its war
machine the resources and the manpower
of the free nations on the borders of its
empire.
“Even if we were craven enough to
abandon our ideals,” the President contin
ued, “it would be disastrous for us to with
draw from the community of free nations.”
Mr. Truman’s speech appeared to be £i
staunch and unrelenting defense of his
foreign policy, coupled with a sketch of
future mobilization moves.
Russians Listen
A small group of Russian diplomats lis
tened silently in the gallery to the Pres
ident’s scathing attack on Soviet ambitions.
The Army, Navy and Air Force are
moving toward an active strength of nearly
3, 500,000 Mr. Truman continued, and he
commented:
“On top of this, we will build the capa
city to turn out on short notice arms and
supplies that may be needed for a full-
scale war.”
Mr. Truman outlined a legislative pro
gram, calling for:
© Appropriations for the military
build-up.
® Extension and revision of the draft
law.
i
® Foreign military and economic aid.
• Revision and extension of authority
to “expand production and to stabilize
prices, wages and rents.”
• Improvement of agricultural laws, to
help obtain farm products needed for the
defense effort.
O Improvement of labor laws “to help
provide stable labor-management relations.”
• Housing and training of defense,
workers and “the full use of all our man
power resources.”
• An increased supply of doctors, nur
ses and other trained medical personnel.
• Federal aid to schools.
• “A major increase” in taxes.
Further Discussion
Mr. Truman said his forthcoming eco
nomic and budget message will discuss
these subjects in greater detail. The eeO'
nomic message is expected in the next fe
days. His budget message will come Jan?
15.
The President pleaded with Congress
for “unity in these crucial days,” but he
said:
“Make no mistake about my meaning.
I do not ask, or expect, unanimity. 1 do
not ask an end to debate. Only by debate
can we arrive at divisions which are wise,
and which reflect the desires of (he
American people.
“Let us debate the issues, but let every
man among us weigh his words and deeds.
There is a sharp difference between harm
ful criticism and constructive criticism, i
“Let each of us put our country ahead
of our party, and ahead of our own per
sonal interests.”
Mr. Truman told the lawmakers:
“Peace is precious to us. But more
precious than peace are freedom and jus
tice from being destroyed.
“This is our cause—peace, freedom, jus
tice.”
The nation’s lawmakers, he said, face
“as grave a task as any Congress in the
history of the republic.”
Unbombed, Unshelled Pusan
Reflects Ugliness of War
By JACK MacBETH
Pusan, Korea, Jan. 9—(A’)—This
dirty seaport town in southeastern
Korea is suffering from an epi
demic of heartbreak.
Pusan is bulging at its seams
with human tragedy. Its civilian
population has been swollen by re
fugees to 1,000,000—twice its pre
war size.
Never pretty, it has been stamp
ed with ugliness by war. Neither
shell nor bomb has yet fallen on
the city, but vyar is here.
Soldiers walk the streets wear
ing uniforms of the United
States, Canada, England, Austra
lia, New Zealand, Thailand, the
Philippines, France, the Nether
lands, Greece and Turkey.
This is the last major Korean
port in Allied hands. Through it
must flow all the seaborne per
sonnel and supplies for the war
front.
The real feeling of war and its
meaning have been brought here
by the refugees. There are some
500,000 of them, for whom the civil
ian government, with advice from
the military, is trying to provide
temporary shelter.
At one temporary camp about
600 refugees had constructed
tents from straw mats. There
were no sanitary facilities and
no water supply.
Most of the men, women and
children appeared filthy; many had
bad colds. All had empty stares
of despair and heartbreak.
Along the streets, thousands of
the refugees have built their own
little shacks close against the sides
of buildings or walls. Some are
made from wood, obtained from
cases marked “US Army C Ra
tion.”
A heavy rain or snow would al
most certainly knock down these
little huts.
Teams of civilian doctors and
social workers were visiting the
emergency camps in Pusan. Thou
sands who have been evacuated
were dusted with DDT disinfectant.
Martial law was declared in
Pusan shortly before Christmas,
but authorities are having dif-
diculty herding all the refugees
into camps. There afe too many
of them.
Tension over the worsening mili
tary situation has gripped Pushn.
In mess halls and other gathering
places everyone asks:
“What’s the latest from the
front? How far south are the
Chinese?”
Recalling that the Pusan peri
meter was held last summer, troops
talk little about evacuation. They
talk more of the fight which they
know is coming.
At one refugee camp this after
noon an interpreter asked how
many in a group of 100 men would
like to fight the Chinese if given
the chance. There were a few
shouts and about 50 hands shot into
the air. These were the young
ones in the group.
The Battalion
Lawrence Sullivan Ross, Founder of Aggie Traditions
"Soldier, Statesman, Knightly Gentleman”
Entered as second-class matter at Post
Office at College Station, Texas, under
the Act ot Congress of March 3, 1870.
Member of
The Associated Press
Represented nationally by National Ad
vertising Service Inc., at New York City,
Chicago, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.
News contributions may be made by telephone (4-5444) or at the editorial office, Room 201, Goodwin
Hall. Classified ads may be placed by telephone (4-5324) or at the Student Activities Office, Room 209,
Goodwin Hall.
DAVE COSLETT, CLAYTON L. SELPH Co-Editors
John Whitmore, L. O. Tiedt Managing Editors
Frank N. Manitzas Sports Editor
Bob Huglison, Jerry Zuber l,;.. Campus Editors
Joel Austin City Editor
.Today’s Issue
John Whitmore Managing Editor
Frank N. Manitzas Sports News Editor
Joel Austin City News Editor
T. M. Fontaine, Carter Phillips .Editorialists
Boh Hughson, Andy Anderson. George Charlton. Tom
Rountree, Allen Pengelley, Leon McClellan. Wayna
Davis, Bob Venable, Bill Streicb. Norman Blahuta,
John Hildebrand, Bryan Spencer. Ray Williams,
Herb O’Connell. Jim Anderson. Ori James, J. P.
tjtern, Raympn Swan, Robert Ball. Bert Hardaway,
Edward Holder, Richard Ewing News and Feature Writert
Roger Coslett Quarterback Club
Rose Marie Zuber — _... ...Society Editor
Jack Fontaine, Jerry Fontaine Z Special Assignments
' 111
Sid Abernathy...... ....... ..Campus News Editor
Sam Moljnary. - ......^.....Cbief Photographer
Herman C. Gollob .....Amusements Editor
Ralph Gorman, Ray Holbrook, Harold Gann, Joe
Blanchette, Pat LeBlanc, Dale Dowell, Jimmy Curtis,
Chuck Neighbors. Fred Walker -——....Sports Writers
Bob Hancock, John Hollingshead,
Tommy Fontaine, James Lancaster Photo Engravers
Emmett Treat. Jerry Clement, Bob Hendry Cartoonists
Autrey Frederick , Advertising Manager,
Bussell Hagens, Frank Thurmond. Advertising Representatives
Letters
All letters to the editor must be signed
by the writer and free from obscene
and libelous references. Letter writers
wanting their name withheld must make a
personal request to the co-editors. No
unsigned letters will be published,
Traditions Falling
Editor, The Battalion:
Since entering A&M we have
seen numerous traditions fall by
the wayside, but the other night at
the Rice game we witnessed the
fall of another.
We were all taught when we
were “fish” to wildcat for the last
two minutes of a basketball game.
We would like to see this tradition
brought back, in fact we insist
upon it.
Another thing we noticed at the
game was the number of cadets
sitting in the north stands. It has
been our impression that the corps
sits in the south stands.
We would appreciate publication
of these complaints.
R. H. Schawe, A. Schecter,
It. S. Matthews, E. V. So-
Relle, W. It. Jones, Ina Park
er, B. J. Gcbert, B. E. Zim
merman, W. Lippmann. All
class of ’51.
HST Says He
Won’t Let Reds
Absorb Nations
By J. M. ROBERTS, JR.
AP Foreign Affairs Analyst
President Truman made it
clear yesterday that the ad
ministration has no intention
of heeding any advice which
would leave other peace-lov
ing nations open to piecemeal ab
sorption by Russia.
Europe, he said in answer to
those who doubt the continent’s
will to fight, hasn’t done enough.
Neither has the United States. But
all are working, he said, and Eu
rope will have bigger armies than
our own.
“The Soviet rulers have made
it clear,” Mr. Truman said, “that
we must have strength as well as
right on our side. If we build our
strength—and we are building it—
the Soviet rulers may face the
facts and lay aside their plans to
take over the world.”
Only a few hours before the
President spoke, one of the world’s
most experienced observers had
told me:
“If we just keep building up,
something will. snap in Russia.
They’ll make a pact, or something.
They are not kidding themselves
about having an industrial plant
sufficient to challenge the West,
pr even the United States. You
know and I know that if they make
a break in Europe the atom bombs
will fall. Don’t you suppose they
know it?”
But, while making no retreat on
foreign policy, the President show
ed no belligerency toward Ins crit
ics.
‘Citizen Responsibility’
Program Organized
The American Citizenship Com
mittee of the Texas Bar Associa
tion, in order to help safeguard our
freedoms, has planned a state-wide
“ROD” program (Responsibilities,
Obligations and Duties) and Gov
ernor Shivers has officially pro
claimed January as “ROD Month,”
according to Coulter Hoppess, pres
ident of the Brazos County Bar As
sociation.
Hoppess has appointed Arthur
Stewart, assistant professor of bus
iness law here, as chairman of the
“ROD” Committee in this county.
“The Texas Bar Association
adopted this program for the pur
pose of encouraging the public to
think as much about what each in
dividual can do for Democracy as
he does about what Democracy can
do for him.
“Assuming that a democratic
form of government cannot last
indefinitely unless citizenship re
sponsibilities to it are fulfilled, the
Bar is endeavoring to remind the
public of citizenship duties in
“ROD” prpgrams to be presented
for schools and various civic organ
izations during January,” Stewart
said.
A “Bill of Responsibilities,” list
ing the corresponding duties to the
Bill of Rights has been prepared by
American Citizenship Committee of
Color Film Planned
For Biology Club
“The Gulf of Mexico Inverte
brates” film, will be shown by the
Biology Club, Tuesday in Room 107
of the Biology Building.
Dr. Sewell H. Hopkins of the
Biology Department will be pre
sent to give comments and answer
questions on this two reel color
film.
Freshmen attending will be giv
en credit for class attendance in
Freshmen Orientation. Members of
the faculty will be present to ad
vise those students interested in
becoming biology majors, T. M.
Ferguson, club sponsor, announced.
the Bar as a basis for the entire
program.
The “Bill” is being distributed
widely over the state along with a
“Citizenship Questionnaire,” also
prepared by the Bar Committee.
The questionnaire, composed of 14
questions, categories superior, good,
average, fair and poor citizens.
Secretary of State John Ben
Sheppard, state chairman of the
Citizenship Committee, which is di
recting the project, first expressed
the “ROD” idea at a state Bar
convention in San Antonio recently.
Civic groups of Brazos County
are invited to participate in the
“ROD” program by having a local
lawyer speak on the “Responsibil
ities, Obligation and Duties of the
Citizen” at some January meeting
at which time the “Bill of Respon
sibilities” is to be distributed and
the “Citizenship Questionnaire”
will be filled out, Stewart said.
All organizations interested in
staging such a program are re
quested to contact either Hoppess
of Stewart who will arrange for
the speakers’ appearances.
Couch to Attend
Dehydrator’s Meet
Dr. J. R. Couch, a professor in
the Poultry Husbandry Depart
ment, will attend the annual meet
ing of the American Dehydrators
Association to be held in Colorado
Springs, Colo., Tuesday.
He will report on the progress
of a project at A&M to determine
the value of dehydrating alfalfa
leaf meal and breeder rations for
chickens and turkeys.
The project was started in Sept
ember, 1950. Dr. Couch will also at
tend a meeting of the alfalfa re
search unit of the association.
Bible Verse
And it shall come to pass, that
whosoever shall call on the name
of the Lord shall be saved.
—Acts 2: 21.
J
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