Friday. April 9, I965 Dicken Expliculesv Viet Nam Situation To the Editor: It is instructive to note how the roots of American policy in Viet Nam lie deep in the pathological period of Ameri— can antircommunist hysteria and of Jvhn Foster Dulles’ "brinksmanship" loreign pol- icy. Several of the characterise tie approaches of the Johnson administration to the war in Viet Nam may be found in the United States' response to the lndo-China crisis in 1954 and immediately following the con- clusion of the armistice nego» tiatiorls in Geneva in July. 1954. The domino theory of mar munist expansion was current at the time in its familiar role as a justification for preupi- tste action undertaken with mi- nor regard for the principles of international law and of the United Nations charter. What amounted to “aggression" was detected, too, in forms exceed» ingly resistant to documentae tion: the French officially de- nied that assistance from Chi- na played a significant part in the victories of the Viet Minh. The impending fall of Dienbien- phu evoked a number of deSr perate proposals from impor- tant members of Eisenhower’s administration, one of the most reprehensible of which was the proposal that Dienbienphu be ringed with “baby Arbombs." Optimism about the future of French colonialism in the area was not lacking, Two months before the fall of Dienbienphu. Admiral Radiotd, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was declaring "The French are g0- mg to win this war," in addi- tion, predictably, to character- izing the war as a fight against “Communist aggression." The Geneva Armistice. con- cluded in July, 1954, soon alter the disastrous defeat at Dien- bienphu split Viet Nam rough- ly along the 17th parallel, rec— ognized the Viet Minh as the government of North Viet Nam, and called [or elections in 1956 in determine the government of a united Viei Nam. The G e n av a Agreement marked a change in American tactics. if not ln aims. Anti- (ommunism could no longer assume the form of support for French colonialism; in fact, the new French government of Pierre Mendes , France felt American intranSigence to be, a threat L0 the stabi zation of‘ Memorial Giff For Miss Freeman A donation to the Southern Chris- tian Leadership Conference in the memory or former Grilmell student Jackie Freeman was made last? week by her parents. according mi Roger Eldridge, college chaplain.‘ Miss Freeman was killed last No- vember 13th in a carrbicycle ac- eident. Miss Freeman's parents made: the contribution saying “she would‘ have wanted to contribute. She was so passionately interested and ac. hve in human rights and would have been with the other kids in‘ Des Molnes demonstrating.” the Viet Nam situation. Ameri» can policy engineered the se- lection of a certain Ngo Dinh Diem as Premier. Diem left the seclusion of a Belgian Cath- olic monastery to assume his post. Diem recommended him- self highly as a man who could be relied upon to resist the commitment to hold elections in 1956. He did not prove a dis- appointment on that score. in refusing to sign the Ge- neva Agreement, the United States opened for itself the pos- sibility of taking up the situa- tion Where the French left Off. The position could only be at tractive to those who had not learned the lessons of the French defeat: that as a pre— requisite for a continuing influ- ence on Southeast Asian affairs, the United States must recog- nize the force and appeal of the revolutionary n a t i o n alistic trend which is sweeping the area. Nicholas Dicker! SCARLET AND BLACK Tennis Team Awaits Season Opening; Five Returning Slarlers Lead Squad By Ken Clymer Despite the late spring, the Grinnell varsity tennis team Page Seven ‘ other teams in the Midwest Conference were in the same unfavorable situation, Doubles teams have not yet been announced. Possible dou- , hle teams, however, may be ‘22; 5311, me“ “we“ 51mm Larry Shannon and Ken Clymer p to the team. . . The team has been working at hrs! doubles with-Bob Korn- _ feld and Mike Greenheld at seer should he in fair condition form“ ‘“ Darby 35”“ ’0’ the Pascl 0nd doublesv Last season. . several weeks, and this week-Shannon teamed with Kornfeld themSL'MtPh“ mm.“ "35°“ has been able to get outside and Clymer with Greenfield, Ltd by 59“” ”PW“ 17“” for the first time. Gn'nnell can but neither team did well in the Sham“ ”‘5 name“ “’1“ be take comfort in the fact that all conterence tournament. TASTY PASTRY SHOP ener next Tuesday in Gales» a variety burgi Meets scheduled for this weekend in Northiield were can- celled due to snow _ Although the netmen finished a poor fifth last season, coach irv Simone can expect an im— proved team this year since none 0! the players graduated, Shannon will be backed by Ken Clymer, Bob Komfeld, and Mike Greenfield, all returning lettermen. In addition, up and coming sophomores Chip Kin- of doughnuts and cookies at your Oldsmobile Dealer’s! will (Mimi Can-mill- Get blessed relief with a Value-Rated Used Car 0 Best buys of all are under the VilluerRaled Used Car sign a M lmy latennorlel, liliedlew trades 0 Many still under new-cur guul‘lllllee o All sires, all makes, all body styles 0 All ai enoyrioriake prices 0 So what are you waiting for? A 91 reek :ll"? See your local Oitisnmbile Quality Dealer now!