Newspapers / The News-Journal (Raeford, N.C.) / Oct. 19, 1961, edition 1 / Page 8
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NATtOWAl EOITORIAI Ias^c^ti^n Milid Jotting Down A Good Pass Defense While You’re About It*/” 100 YEARS AGO ^ ^ w~^ ^ r- ^ ^ Published Every Thursday at Racford, N. C. Subscription Rates In Advance Per Year — -4.00 6 Months — $2 25 3 Months — $1.00 PAUL DICKSON — - ~ - SAM C. MORRIS PETER B. YOUNG - Publisher General Manager Editor Entered as second-class mail matter at the Post Office at Raeford, North Carolina, under the Act of March 3,1870. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19. 1961 ‘■‘“WHEN IS ITOL’R TURN?’ President Visits Carolina, World Is Daily More Grim Last week, the young President oftheUnited States visited Fort Bragg, a significant portion of which lies within Hoke.County. The publisher of this newspaper stood wi thin a few feet of the President as he watched a demonstration of military skills and spoke brieOy to the men ofthe82d AirborneDivlsion. At the same time that the publisher was trailing in the President’s mighty wake at ■Bragg, the editor of this newspaper was in Alabama for a six hour talk with one of the living legends of the U. S. Air Force. Maj. ■ Gen. OrvU A. Anderson. This coincidental coverage last Thursday by both publisher and editor demonstrates the old and obvious fact that the great con flict with the Russians reaches deep into the heart of every American community. In connection with diis conflict, there are still plenty of things that need doing right here in Hoke County—a realistic civil defense program, to name just one. But since there is now supposed to be a “dialogue" going on between the young Presi dent and his constituents, we will direct our editorial remarks to the rolling rhetoric the Commander-in-chief delivered both at Bragg and , earlier, at Chapel Hill. To the paratroopers of the 82d Airborne, Kennedy offered a new phrase to describe our relationship with world Communism. He coined the phrase, "Cold Peace," to des cribe what has been going on since the end of World War n. We regard that as a most unfortunate phrase. It Is the position of this newspaper, repeated ly expressed, that a very rei war is now in progress between ourselves and the forces of world communism. To put the “peace" tag on this great conflict is to continue the confusion of Americans as to what is going on and what is at stake. This continued con fusion weakens our fighting fibre. Now, of course, the President was trying to get away from the "Cold War" cliche, a phrase that is equally unfortunate. We need to keep ever in mind t^at men die daily in this conflict that is neither "cold" nor “peace ful." To the contrary, it is uncomfortably hot and violent. And the mere fact that the use of nuclear weapons would make it considerably hotter should not blind us into thinking that as long as the "nukes" are kept on the shelf, the world continues "cold" or "peaceful." The President also told die troopers that it was forces such as theirs that "make it possible for freedom to maintain its position.” But a quick glance at the front page of any newspaper will show that "freedom” is every where on the defensive, as huge chunks of territory and people continue to slide over to the other side. At Chapel Hill, the President took the long view. He said, "We must distinguish the real from the illusory, the long range from the temporary, the significant trom the petty," In other words, don’t get excited about Laos, Cuba, Berlin, the Congo, Viet Nam, etc. These are all "petty" disasters. They don’t count for much in the long range scheme of things, for, "If we can do our duty un deterred by fanatics of frenzy at home or abroad, then surely peace and freedom can prevail." Well, now. we’re all for the long _Wew. We are all for the traditional American op timism that in the long run peace and freedom can "surely prevail.” God is on our side, isn’t He? Well, isn’t He? However, we woultf suggest to the President that if you don’t win in the short run, there isn’t any long run. The nation now reminds us of the clobbered boxer who staggered back to. his corner at the bell and told his handlers to quit worrying because his whole strategy was to make the opponent over-confident from success. Another grimly appropriate story from box ing is that of the fillow who told his friends that he had once gotten into the ring with Floyd Patterson and “I scared Floyd almost out of his mind.” His friends wondered how this was possible, and the fellow replied: "Floyd thought he’d killed me." And so round after round (las gone to the Russian boxer, who, presumably, isbothovei-- confident and scared by the margin of his easy victory to date. We trust we are not joining the "fanatics of frenzy" when we ask, along with General Anderson: “When is it our turn to viln a round”? When do we score? At the discouraging rate events are trending now. The Great War for the World (our phrase) will be over before Uncle Sam does much more than throw one or two feeble jabs. Meanwhile, we return to the difficult task of helping fight through a realistic civil de fense program right here at home. So long as the president blowt hot and cold—scaring folks one day and talking about "Cold Peace" the next—this difficult task is just about impossible. Maybe we need a few "fanatics of frenzy” after alll ECM Available For Drivers ECM is the term given by the Air Force to specif equipment that makes it possible for our bombers to sneak past enemy radar. The ECM initials stand for. "electronic counter measures." Now, with typical American ingenuity. Some home-grown genius has applied the ECM prin ciple to the problem faced by motorists who tangle with the radar speed traps operated by the Highway Patrol. This week’s New York Times carries an advertisement for “radar-gard,” a little black box which is described as follows: "Radar-Gard is the new electronic instru ment that gives advance warning of radar- controlled speed zones within a one-half mile radius. An electronic ’beep,’ set off by Inter- cq>ted radar beams, alerts driver to reduce ^)ced." The advertisement even has thegaU to justify this product with the claim that it "promotes safe driving." Obviously, it does no such thing, It is a device which enables the mo torist to speed with Impunity, until “radar- gard" warns him that the enemy lurks nearby, ECM for the speeding motorist does open up some fascinating vistas. How about a small not, A very real problem now in the area of arms control is the fact that atomic energy is How about a paralyzing nervegas for thieves on tbe really big jobs? Jlow about a piggy-back rocket device for the eat burglar who. ordinarily, risks life Mid limb claHibering over buildings? You may think we’re being facetious when we make dicse suggestions, but actually we're not A very real problem now in the area of arms control is the fact diat atomic energy is becoming so plentiful that it can be expected to turn up in the arsenal of powerful criminal groups such u the Mafia. Obvenmem planners forsee the day when MtfU gaags will do their dirty work assisted by small nuclear weapons, presumably fall- mt free. And such a day of aciemiflc “triumph" la broq^ naarcr by the ECM that is now available to speeding motorists. We can only add that the chronic speeder, for whom this device is expressly designed, Is every bit as much a criminal as die professional racketeer. “Radar-Gard” is available for $39.95 from Goldsmith’s Department Store in New York. Surely, it is the latest in a long line of miracles to flow from American ingenuity and abundance I Kenneth Crawford writes, in Newsweek: “Granted that American public opinion is mercurial, all available evidence indicates dial it is solidly behind Mr. Kennedy In his handling of the crisis and that It will remain so as long as he 'stands firm*. He Is criti cized more for doing too little than for doing too much to counter Soviet pressures. Judging from opinion polls, editorial comment and informal soundings, the ’better dead than Red’ stickers appearing on automobile bump ers, while diey may over simplify the attitude, nevertheless, reflect something of the pre vailing national mood. People are fed up with Khrushchev’s hypocrisy and bluster. And this isn’t because uie] lack understanding of the consequences of atomic war." J. EdgarHoover reports that fines, savings, and recoveries In FBI investigated cases dur ing the year ending lastjune 30 reached-a new peak of $167,654,622, a flmre which re presents a return of 11.34 mr every dollar appropriated for the agency. At the end of August the Defense Department announced that U wu setting up s single Defense Supply Agency to serve all the mili tary services—a move urged by the Hoover Commits ion and other authoritative bodies which have studied military procurement problems. The new Agen^ mttt handle an inventoiy of u much u $31 bUlion, and De fense officials esdmstc lu creation may esve the taxpayers $00 mllUon a year. ^Yankees Whipped Again ^ Rebels By LON K. SAVAGE The mismanagement, confusion and inefficiency that caused the tremendous rout of federal troops at Bull Run in late July •• cropped up again 100 years ago this week in another federal attack near W ashlngton. Again, the federals were beaten — and beaten badly. Nearly a thousand Union soldiers became casualties when they were cornered on a bluff overlooking the Potomac. There, just 30 miles north west of the national capital, they were captured or shot down by the scores; many drowned by trying to swim to safety; their commander, — a national hero and former United States Senator — was shot through the heart and killed. And when it was all over, a hue and cry went up in the North just like the hue and cry which had followed Bull Run. UUii:N,SlJOKO D.ViLV NEWS NOTES from an EDITOR'S DIARY Peter B. Young A WEEK AGO--. The paper came out, and I had taken ad vantage of a hiatus in the Buck schedule to make an off-tackle plunge deep into the heart of the American Southland. So there I was, a yankee standing on Dexter Ave. in Montgomery. Alabama, look ing up the route which Jef ferson Davis rode to take the oath of office as the first (and last) President of the Confederate States of America. I had come to Montgomery for a number of reasons — one of which is pertinent to this column. It was a WEEK AGO that I dropped by the office of Maj. Gen. Orvil A. Anderson to pay my respects and talk about the tricky relationship be tween old times and new pro blems. Anderson had directed the operations of the mighty 8th Air Force in World War II, operations which burned out most of Urban Germany. This man literally wrote the book on strategic bombing. Then, in 1950, from his po sition as the founding com mandant of the Air War Col lege, Anderson advocated a strategic strike on the five Soviet atomic plants that were —in his phrase— " hatching eggs." If he had been successful In his advocacy of that plan, the course of World history would have been changed. We would not now by worry ing about Berlin and fallout shelters and Laos and South Viet Nam. But. in a preview of the more publicized McArthur case. General Anderson was sacked (more or less in dis grace) by President Truman. The Air Force, though, takes care of its own and a little office was found at Maxwell Air Force Base where the ‘‘retired’’ strategist could shuffle a few papers and be on call when needed* Now Anderson presides like a ghost at every USAF banquet table. History has caught up with the out-of-step prophet. But this is small consolation to the old man since every day he sees his worst fears being realized. And so he sits down there in Alabama, in an agony of frustration, and when friends come to call he really ex plodes. "In terms of their purpose, which Is world domination, Khrushchev and Mao are very able leaders. They understand the fundamental truth that you don’t win without scoring. So, they score all the time. We, on the other hand, have a po licy of ‘containment’ which, by definition forbids us to score. Every time there Is a chance for us to score- such as Hungary in 1956, such as East Germany right now— We pass it by. We think if we were to score, that might start a war and we certainly couldn’t do a thing like that! "But Khrushchev and Mao know the war is raging all the time, and the way to win It is by scoring. So they do. We have a policy of ‘con tainment’ and we are the ones who are contained; we have a policy of ‘deterrence’ and we are the ones who are de terred. How queer can you get? "Now we could have had a relatively cheap victory In 1950. But this is 1961, and I can’t give you a victory on the 1950 terms. And re member the price will be even higher in 1962." I asked General Anderson whether the price for "vic tory” was not already pro hibitive. This is a difficult question, because it depends entirely on your definition of the term "Prohibitive." “You’re otf the beam,” said Anderson, who frequently em ploys aerial metaphors, "In stead of worrying so much about what the casualty fi gures would be If we win. Why don’t you worry about the casualty figures it we lose? If we lose, I guaran tee you that we’re all dead." The old man believes (with considerable justification) that the Soviets do not Intend to conquer this country. Ra ther, they Intend to eliminate PUPPY CREEK CYNIC Philosopher Says Man Can Enslave Himself Without Help Of Machines Dear editar: I never have been worried over the chances of machines replacing man, as some peo ple seem to fear as the ma chines get more and more complicated, especially the big, block-long electronic brain machines. In the first place, any time a machine can take over any job of work I’m doing. It’s welcome to It. Nothing about that pros pect that scares me. But I was In terested hi the reasons a sclen - tist gave the odier day on why machines will not replace man. According to dlls scientist, ma* chines can’t really, think, they have to depend on man to put them into operation and to tell them what to add or aubstract or multiply. And therefore, he ■aid, to clinch his point, *ma- •Mnca wiU never outstrip and enslave man, they lack rea son and cannot do what man endowed with reason can do, namely, screen sense fpm nonsense and make decisions from Inadequate or even In correct data," As I understand this sefen-. tlst's argument. If you feed a machine the wrong Infor mation, it’ll come up with the wrong answer. It’s only when you feed It the right Infor mation that it can come up with a correct answer, where as If you feed man with the wrong Information, he’ll rea son his way out and still come up with the correct answer. Now, I’ll tell you. This scientist may know a whole lot about machines, but I’m afraid he doesn’t know a whole lot about people. Two thirds of the world today is being fed the wrong information, and so far the people have reasoned their way through it no better than what you''d expect out of a NO BATTLE PLANNED This battle, unlike the one at Bull Run, had not been plan ned. Gen. George B. McCle llan merely had suggested to Gen. Charles P. Stone at Dranesville that "perhaps a slight demonstration" along the Potomac would help the Union cause. Stone, in the same spirit, gave one of his officers—Col. Edward D. Baker, of Idaho, a Republi can who had resigned from the Senate — discretion to re inforce his small detachment oh the Virginia side of the Potomac at Ball’s Bluff. And Baker carried it from there. Without investigating the opposite shore and apparent ly without any previous planning. Baker ordered his men across the river. Three hundred men crossed shortly after midnight, October 21 from Harrison’s Island, as cended the 70 feet of Ball’s Bluff and made their way to nearby Leesburg. There they ran into Confederates and re tired to the bluff under fire. Meanwhile, boatload after boatload crossed the river, and the men took position around the bluff. By mid afternoon, Baker himself crossed and took command of 1,700 men. By this time also, Confede rate Gen. Nathan "Shanks" Evans with an equal number of men had taken strong positions in the hills sur rounding die bluff, and his musket fire was taking Its toll on the Confederates, CONFEDERATES CHARGE Late In the afternoon, the 13th, 17th, and 18th Missi ssippi and the Eighth Vir ginia charged furiously, and Baker’s defenses crumbled. Trying to rally his left. Baker himself, fell under Con federate fire. The New Yorkers and New Englanders tumbled headlong down the bluff, and so many crowd ed onto one of the boats that it was swamped and the men floundered in the water. From there on Evan’s job was little more than a mop up. More than 700 Yankees sur rendered; 49 were killed and 158 were wounded (one) of them being a young Massachu setts lieutenant named Oli ver Wendell Holmes.) The Southerners had lost only 33 killed and 11.5 wounded. That was far from the end of it, however, Federal fury at the loss fell upon poor, inno cent General Stone, within four months he would be im prisoned as the scapegoat, his military career ruined from then until the end of his life. NEXT WEEK: CONFEDE RATE SAILORS TRIED FOR PIRACY. it. And so the talk ranged on, and what started out to be a 15-minute courtesy call stretched into a six hour ses sion, Bo^ks could be writ ten (and ^t^ld be written) as a sort m Tootnote to the Impromptu lectures given dal ly by this man. I say this. Incidentally, without “hero worship.” General Ander son’s limitations--stemming from an inadequate education —are quite aj^arent. But on the big things, this self-taught military genius is so pain fully right. Anyway, since I had had but three hours sleep the night before, I am afraid that I was rather groggy at the conclu sion of this six hour session, I stood up to leave and look ed hard at the old man because, of course, you never know If he’s going to be around on the next trip. He has his full share of egocentric bitterness at the stupidity of lesser men, but he Impressed me at that moment as profoundly decent, ' I thought of that scene from Walt Whitman where the poet (distinguished as a nurse) vi sits the bedside of a gravely wounded soldier. The poet ^ says. “Hang your arms around my neck. By God, I will not let you go down." That was Whitman’s poetic way of describing what Lin coln said to a wounded na tion, And that, In essence. Is what countless men like General Anderson are saying now. They may yet give the Russians a very nasty (and probably fatal) surprise. WEDNESDAY —And right now J’lfi Interested In an off set strategy. We’ve had enough of this nuclear nonsense. Now It’s time to get out a paper. What I mean Is —'^Offset ’em Sam. . . . Speaking Of Books With SaOy MeDouiell Rake Supernaing Lihrarkm hand-cranked adding machine. Invariably, I suppose, when you feed the wrong information to a machine, bells ring and lights flash "tilt" and It comes up with the wrong answer, but feed the wrong Informa tion to people and you never know whether they’re going to blow a fuse or Arow their hats in the air and vote for you. There’s many an Office holder today who owes his success to the fact people aren’t as apt as machines when it comes to analyzing data. People are more like my tractor engine. Regardless of what kind of gasoline you pour Into It, It won’t always plow. It may be true that machines will never enslave man, but we really don’t need a ma chine for that anyway. Man Is managing to do that ^him self. Yours faithfully, J. A. With Europe once again the cock-pit of the East West strur ggle. INSIDE EUROPE TODAY makes timely and Interesting reading. John Gunther has written a meaningful clari fication of each major prob lem and responsibly sketched each major personalty In Eu rope today, beginning appro priately enough with Germany. This book Is typically Gun ther, Vivid, Wide-Ranging; quick-fire; and like the other "Inside books. It Is excellent reading. It Is full of the casual facts and sketches that are so Inmfceetlng, such as his explanation that an automobile accident yfeqrs agor with re sultant facial surgery, gives Chancellor Adenauer his somewhat Monogollan cast of countenance. You will find just about everything on the current Eu ropean scene wlthing these covers; the revolt against the “Establishment" in Britain, the "ban the bomb’’, neutra lity, the varying degrees of, oppression within the Soviet Satellites, the economic war fare of the Sixes and Sevens, and the intricacies of Italian politics. There are profiles of Khrushchev, de Gaulle, Ad enauer, MacMillan, Willy Brandt, and many others. I found Gunther’s passing observations o f general scenes most enllghtlng that the. youth of Germany is anti-Nazi; that the non -Com munist lett in Europe has lost much of Its reforming fervor; that most of Europe today Is dominated by the middle class. If you feel you need-as I * did - a book to pull the cur rent Eurojiean picture into focus, INSIDE EUROPE TO DAY Is the book you need and want. It Is available in the Hoke County Public Library. Another book that I have found both Interesting and In formative is THE MAKING OF THE PRESIDENT: 1960. by Theodore H. White, This book certainly deepened my understanding of American politics. White devoted 1960 to an in tensive observation of the Presidential primaries, the nominating conventions, and the subsequent election cam paigns. He traveled with the various candidates across the land, he Interviewed most of them and their staffs many times, and out of it all caught ^ the moods, the strains, the pa thos. and the exhilaration of a well fought campaign. In all elections for over ^ century we have been swampBf ed with campaign biographies, but THE MAKING OF THE PRESIDENT Is unique. It Is sensitive reporting, fascina ting reading, and documentary history. This, too is avail able In the Hoke County Pub lic l*lbrary.
The News-Journal (Raeford, N.C.)
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Oct. 19, 1961, edition 1
8
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