Pasadena Independent from Pasadena, California • Page 16

MSADENA Mfcr.F*. 17, mi 'Take It Easy, Son-He's Barely Broke' Breathing Spell Ends The Russians decided not to give the hew administration much of a breathing spell after.all, as evidenced by the uproar created in lite United Nations over the killing of Patrice Lumumba. Obviously, the Congo is a major objective for the Soviets, and so they have speedily ended the phony ihaw in East-West relations. At the same time, the Russians are using the occasion to pursue their long-standing goal of either wrecking the United Nations or subverting it to Communist ends. This new development, incidentally, must confuse those critics of the United Nations who have professed to regard it as an instrument of Communism.

It must make them uncomfortable, to say the least, to find themselves on the same side as the Beds with respect to the United Nations. The statement by Adlai Stevenson, U. S. ambassador to the United Nations, to the cfftct thai the Soviet Union's demands for removal of Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjokl and an. end to the U.N.

operation in the Congo constitutes a declaration of war on the world organization, was not overdrawn. The Russians have made it clear thai they do not want the conciliation of the difficulties in the Congo to which the United Nations could afford the avenue. What they want is the opportunity to act unilaterally in the Congo without interference or surveillance of any kind. 3f the Soviet Union persists in its destructive tactics at the United Nations, it will be proof that it is willing to negotiate with the West only to the extent that it can get its way, and not for the purpose of making mutual concessions to establish an understanding. The rioting at the U.N.

was a disgraceful performance. A precedent for this kind of thing was set, however, when. Premier Khrushchev removed one of his shoes and pounded on a desk with it last'year in one of the most clownish exhibitions of I hi? century. It will be remembered that this is not the first lime the Russians have shown their displeasure with the U.N. by withdrawing recognition of its secretary general.

The same tactics were employed against Trygve Lie after the out- brdak of the fighting in Korea. Lie held out for a considerable time, defying the Russians, but finally resigned, expressing the wan hope that a successor might be able to accomplish more. Hammarskjold has 'demonstrated praiseworthy courage and intelligence in meeting renewed Russian threats, and it is to be hoped that with the support of the United Stales and other nations he will stand firm. His resignation would only conslilule a victory for the Russians. As for a possible successor, no one would please them except someone they could control.

Prospects for a meeting between President Kennedy a i Khrushchev, which has appeared to be greatly desired by 'the Russians, now seem dim; at any rate, it is hard to see what purpose such a conference would serve, in view nf this new outburst. The Kennedy administration is now confronted with its first full-blown, unmistakable international crisis. If the United Nations is to be preserved, and civil war or successful subversion prevented in the Congo, it is the United Slates that will have to play the leading role. The President's warning to Soviet Russia, as a first step, clearly defined the United Stales position, and placed on the Russians the burden of responsibility for disorder in the Congo and weakening of the United Nations. Marquis C7iiZds JFK and WASHINGTON NO MORE SIGNIFICENT interplay between power and personality has been seen in the first month of the new administration than in the relationship between the President and the vice president.

President Kennedy in a remarkable letter to Vice President Johnson said the vice president will have a staff of his own in the executive branch of government. This, in effect, moves the vice presidency up another notch toward the status of assistant or deputy president. It was In the same letter that the President set out a series of tasks for the vice president, including an important assignment in the near of a mission overseas. These chores will be carried out wilh little public fanfare. They are implicit in the Kennedy concept of the vice president as a working partner.

BOTH IN THE SENATE where he exercised--and where for that matter continues to exercise--such broad authority and in the executive branch there were forebodings that far from working as a team, the two men would clash. Johnson has been used to having his own way. The driving dynamism of iiis personality would never let him come to rest in the passive role of presiding officer of the Senate. Nearly 10 years older than the new President, Johnson has served in the Congress for more than 20 years. As majority leader of the Senate ho respected the abilities of the youthful-appearing senator from Massachusetts.

But Senator Kennedy was- i in rank as well as age, and in their rivalry for the presidential nomination Johnson was always aware of that. How would it turn out? Wilh the compound of jealousy and cheerful malice that afflicts many power-seekers in this capital there were predictions that Johnson would insist that if he were not himself President then he should be at least equal in executive authority. THE KNOWING suggested a parallel between Abraham Lincoln and his secretary og stale, William IT. Seward, who had exercised in the course of his career in New York Stale a far greater degree of national authority than had the prairie lawyer from Illinois. Nearly a century ago, less a a month after the inauguration.

Seward wrnlc an extraordinary letter to Lincoln in which he proposed a he. to all intents and purposes, be the President of the United Stales. Lincoln replied wilh a quiet affirmalion of his own a i and responsibility, ac- ccpling the "advice of all the cabinet," and the matter wns dropped. But, thanks to President Kennedy's understanding of 1hc itses of power and to Vice President Johnson's passionate desire to work toward the success of the adminis- 3iibrpciibciit Bernard J. Riclder, Publisher Guslaf A.

Nordin, General Manager tration, a working solution appears to have been found. Johnson's activity, which to some of Iiis admirers promises that Ihe secret of perpetual motion must at last be cracked, will find numerous outlets. IT IS POSSIBLE, of course, to read a political interpretation into this. The vice president will be under GO when the Kennedy second lerm is ending. And no vice president can ever be unmindful of the fact that it was from this office that Richard Nixon came so close to achieving the presidency.

The role of "assistant president" was sediously built up during the Eisenhower administration. But it tended to be more nearly fiction a fact, The vice president had only the most limited staff with which to carry out his aims, and objectives. Thus when he toured Latin America he found many things wrong, as shown by the attacks on him personally, and when he returned he drew up a list of recommendations. There was, however, little on no evidence that Ihcso recommendations were followed through. What is more, President Eisenhower was determined, as lie made clear in several press conference statements, to limit the vice presidency to an advisory capacity.

MR. EISENHOWER several times said that the President must make the decisions. But we seem likely now to witness an interesting experiment in which the vice president will be given the tools to carry out executive action. That would make the vice presidency much nearer to being what Nixon claimed it was. That (his experiment has its hazards no one can deny.

It could bring on a clash o( authority such as had been anticipated by those who were acutely aware of the play of personality in the Kennedy-Johnson relationship. Given the goodwill of both men, however, the new venture in arriving at an "assistant president" may work. UnUtrt FeMurs David Lawrence Press THE PRESIDENTIAL press conference not quite what it could be and still-preserve the dignity of presidency while giving the American people the information to which they are entitled. The: conference could become one of the finest symbols of free government in the world. But today it is haphazard in its form and hardly as effective as it would be if the formula were changed to permit the President to study in advance any written questions submitted.

The President cannot possibly know offhand the answers to all the queries. Nor is lie likely always to discuss them fully when he is required to reply off the cuff. He should have the privilege of deciding beforehand which questions he wishes to answer and which ones he wishes to postpone or even ignore. Reporters whose questions are not answered would have the right to ask the While House after a press conference whether their might be answered on a subsequent occasion. They could publicize refusals to reply.

IF THE PRESIDENT, however, were given a few hours' notice of the content of the questions, there would be an oppor- tunily for him to consult members of the Cabinet or other officials of the government and make a decision as to what, if anything, should be said on various subjects. Once the President did make a reply to a given question, the reporters should be permitted to interrogate him further on any phase of that subject. Under the present system, questions are tossed at the President in any order, and sometimes they are repetitious. Often many of the newsmen would like to pursue a particular topic but do not have a chance to asking about it before the President is diverted by other questions on something else, entirely unrelated. This sometimes cuts off useful discussion.

The prcsontday conferences do not enhance the prestige of the press, for some of the questions are popped in such irregular fashion that listeners do not get their significance. In fact, it is sometimes hard for the television or radio audience to get the fill! import of a question. Thus, if each written question were read aloud by the President or someone on his staff, the audience would hear every word and know just what was being discussed. Tins WHOLE PROBLEM has been up In previous administrations, but it hasn't been as i a before because press conferences had not been presented live on television or radio until this administration came into office on Jan. 20.

The impression the nation gets of its press is as important as the impression it gets of the President who is being interviewed. Nothing like the presidential press conference takes place regularly anywhere else in the world. The nearest thing to it are the debates held in the parliaments of Europe, where opposition members formally submit written questions several days in advance. Once these are answered by the government's spokesman, there is full discussion by those present. If questions had tr be handed in at the White House a few hours ahead of the President's press conferences and newsmen could be encouraged to file some of them even a day in advance there could be more preparation than now is possible.

Cerlainly there would ha a belter chance to get a comprehensive answer from the President and, after all, that is the main purpose of the news conference. It is not intended to be a theatrical performance or a vehicle for political oratory or for impertinent comments by the reporters. LIVE TELEVISION shows of a hit-or- miss sort could easily defeat the main purpose and become boring to listeners, especially if the lime is taken up with questions of minor importance or with specialized subjects that can better be handled by cabinet officers. There is no reason why the President should find it necessary to discuss subjects that are being thoroughly explored by the heads of government departments a agencies who themselves hold press conferences regularly and can give answers more fully to the reporters. The President, of course, could bring up lopics of his own and make comments on them.

This would naturally open the conference to questions on any statements a he himself has introduced. The important change would be in the i i of i questions in advance but with the understanding that, once the President gave an answer, further questions on that same subject could be asked if the reporters so desired. All this could mean; in the long run more information for the people on national and internalional policies. York Herald Tribune, Inc. Phil Neivsom New Chapter Opens in The Congo Elwcwl R.

a a Pjy W. Johnston Director I.M M. Merrlmag Editor William G. Sumner Eiecullve Editor Brtvicet: (Juried Press. I I Asioelalri) Presi, A Wtrepho.o.

Ciiy News A i RIdiVr lyii rrnnclsco. Vork, CTiIfaco, PJUl. dillr xi OJ5 C. CniirsiJo Boulevard FMdini. A NEW CHAPTER wilh possibly tragic consequences is unfolding in the Congo.

As of this moment it finds four African nations, Yugoslavia, Indonesia and Communist East Germany aligned with Moscow in rccogniz, ing the pro-Soviet regime of A i ga as the "legitimate" government of Congo. Of Ihe many severe tests to which the United Nations has been put in the Congo crisis, this is perhaps its most severe. It could determine whether the week of Feb. 13, 19G1 is to mark final deterioration of the U.N. as a force for world peace, just as today the death of the League of Nations is dated from its refusal to act against Mussolini's invasion of Ethiopia.

For the action of the seven governments, along with Russia, is a repudiation of U.N.'s Democratic processes and, in effect endorses both the threat of Soviet intervention in the Congo and Nikila Khrushchev's own personal campaign to oust Dag Ham- marskjold as U.N.'s secretary general. Hammarskjold on Wednesday defied Soviet altempts to oust him and struck hard at the "very many member nations (which) have not yet accepted the limits put on their national ambitions by the very existence of United Nations Coming strongly Io Hammarskjold's defense have been both President Kennedy and Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru of India. Bolh have declared that Io withdraw United Nations forces from the Congo would mean disaster. And Nehru in a departure from previous policy lias offered to send combat troops to the Congo. The risks on both sides are.

huge. Kennedy has declared that one-sided iintervcn- lion by any country in the Congo would bring with it "risks of war." For the United Slates, its entire African policy is at stake. What trust and friendship exists for the United States among new A i can nations could be lost if any U.S. move could be seen in African eyes as support for outmoded colonialism. But I here seems no reason either for the United Slates or for the United Nations to repose any trust in Gizenga.

Gizenga, who now has won the support of EDITOR'S Ghana, Guinea, the United Arab Republic and Morocco, proclaimed himself premier last Dec. 13 and announced that the Congolese capital hart been moved to Stanleyville, capital of Eastern Province. Support came quickly from the Soviet Union and the U.A.R. government of President Abdcl Gamal Nasser. 41, has besn described as ruthless and smart, and he obviously is amhi- lious.

He is Moscow-trained and once look an indoctrination course at Ihe Prague Ins i for African Affairs. His recognition by Moscow bears striking resemblance to previous Soviet tactics during the abortive revolution in Hungary. Soviet tanks crushed the revolution and ousted Hungarian Premier Imre Nagy. Then, at noon, Nov. 4, 1956, came this cynical announcement from Moscow Radio: "This morning the forces of reactionary conspiracy against the Hungarian people were crushed.

A new government has been formed led by Premier Janos Kadnr. (This government) has appealed Io the Soviet forces command to put down the mutineers." United Fttss Imarnallonaj Ijcc is OH vacation. His column will VI resumed when he returns. Letters Readers' Forum Brief tetters stand the best chnncc The editor reserves the right to trim those that are too long. Every letter, including any signed with a pseudonym, must carry the name and address of the writer.

The John Birch Society I was thrilled to read the slory of the Jolm Birch Society. Everything said about (his group sounds sensible and right. II they are really fighting for American principles and against Communists (hey are in for a real knock-oul light. One or (he other will win, and 1 am belling on Ihe You failed Io say whore we can purchase the book, Politician," for Ibis book surely sounds terrific. MRS.

CLARA LANE, La Crcsccula Dill Simmer shows his ignorance of our form of government in his column of Feb. 13. Being a new member of the John Birch Society, I cannot say positively that the organization is a "menace or a danger" except (o those who are in sympathy with the onrush of Bolshevism. His ignorance Is exposed when lie says a we have "some potential for power" but do not "believe in the democratic form of government." This country was considered a republic and NOT a democracy until Ihe Commies decided to call us this. MRS.

LOUISE P. LONG, Pasadena Bill Sumncr in his Feb. 13 column quoted, out of context, from a letter originally written by Mr. Robert Welch in the signllicance of that letter, in- Mr. Welch's own words, lias since faded from the scene.

11 was written before Mr. Welch ever formed the -John Birch Society, and was never circulated to its' members, but last August the fact of its existence was revealed by him to all of them, so Bill Sumner's statement interring thai the Society "might be interested in just how far" Mr. Welch has gone was made out of ignorance, or out of pure hypocrisy for the sole purpose of sensationalism, and serves only to cloud the minds of outsiders as to the society's aims. Bill Sumncr sneaks of the John Birch Society as a potential menace--but "not at Ihe moment." The very menace which the John Birch Society is at templing to hpld in check is international Communism, Communist dupes, and mi informed men like Bill Sumncr. W.

MOSLEV, Altadena The rcjcrrctl Io, in'irhicli Wr.leh aeeuscs Duiight Hiscnhowcr nj briny a deliberate, agent of the. Communist Party nihilv President, comes from a publication entitled "The Editor. I wish Io commend you on two matters: The objective way Bill Sunnier handled the John Birch Society story and his courage to question the Americanism of such a group; and Leonard -Kreldt's reporting on the sludcnl riot film. He-look occasion to. out the propaganda aspects and called attention Io the fact thai there are Iwo sides Io this story of what happened in San Francisco.

RALPH SCHLOMING, Executive Secretary, Southern California California State Federation o( Teachers Bill Sumncr leaves me wilh the conviction that he believes no matter how small the number of Americans who- are aware of the Ihreat of the Communist conspiracy, that small number are to be censored if (hey dare to speak out. I have been a guest at some John Birch meetings recently and after a calm appraisement of its members and purposes, am convinced a both are dedicated Io an effort to prevent one-world socialistic government. What's wrong wilh trying to penetrate the citizen's a a by calling Communism by its right name? ELIZABETH ADAMS, Pasadena I sincerely wish io congratulate you on the article by Bill Sumncr Feb. 13 on the John Birch Society. At a time of hysteria when panic takes over it is good to have a calm, strong voice heard above the pandemonium.

Too often we sec the Hag waving and are overcome with sentimental reverence for the Stars and Slripes and fail to hear what is being said beneath its shadow. Although, as Mr. Sumner pointed out, many nf the members of the John Birch Society are steadfast Americans, it is quite possible that, lacking enough information about the society itself, they are as misguided as the Communists they hunt. A MYERS, Los Angeles Bill Sumner is either ignorant or is acting out Ihe usual part of a Communist dupe or worse. The John Birch Society accepts only well-informed, dedicated Americans in its membership.

These trained Americans recognize subversion and the Communist line at the slightest exposure. It is wilh real satisfaction a we, the John Birch So. ciety membership, receive these attacks by our enemy, lhr Communist party. The Communists manage to ridicule all patriots, and to the average uninformed American who reads such half-truths and innuendoes as Mr. Sumncr prints it would appear that we are the misled; but by these attacks wa are finding out that we are very effectively frustrating them! RAYE C.

KING, i i Cheers galore--and you deserve them--for your fine articles on Robert Welch and his pals. You say that he is fully convinced that Milton and Dwighl Eisenhower are Communists. Now come along quietly, Mr. Welch. But Ihe Welches haven't gone as far as Ihe student who recently shot a professor.

It's all so reasonable, teall.v. You sec the student decided a I his professor was a Communist (like Eisenhower?) and since we are at war with Inn Communists--well then, the student had to kill the enemy, now didn't he? SAM ISRAEL, El Moiile Knowing how influential some of ths people in Ihe area are who have become involved wilh the John Birch Society, it is obvious thai writing such a calm and objective analysis as Bill Sumner did took considerable courage on his part and on the part of the newspaper. One can anticipate, I imagine, i a stir for some i over his account, as it was. JOHN BAKER, Pasadona I must say Mr. Sumner's reporting on the John Birch missed the mark and inadvertently gives an entirely wrong impression.

Here are some of the aims of the society: 1. Stop profligate spending of money in our government; 2. Stop playing into the hands of the Communists by cleaning out Department; 3. Return the government to the principles of our forcf.ilhers --adherence to our Constitution; 4. Keep the judicial from legislating; 5.

Rid us of self-seeking lobbies in our government and all over the world and GIVE AMERICA BACK TO TMK AMERICANS. You will surely agree there Is nothing wrong i ideals and aims. HELKN ROBERTS, 1'nsatlcna.