These are the top news stories for August 11, 1968.
Eight troops were killed and 50 wounded when an Air Force F100 fighter accidentally bombed a U.S. unit near Ta Bat, northeast of Saigon. The fighter intended on hitting Viet Cong who were located in front of the troops. Last weekend, U.S. soldiers took more accidental hits from each other than shots from the enemy.
Before meeting with President Johnson in Texas, Richard Nixon told a crowd of 10,000 that the Republicans could end the war in Vietnam. He also said that the G.O.P. could prevent future wars. Nixon pledged that he would not interfere with current negotiations with Vietnam.
Proposed reforms by the Czechoslovakian government are once again infuriating Moscow. The Czech Communist Party plans on granting members the right to dissent publicly from the Party. This policy is in direct opposition against the Soviet Central Committee, who believes that the Party should have absolute power. The Soviets issued a sternly worded statement through Pravda against what they termed, "deviations from the principles of Marxist-Leninist teaching." Experts are now wondering if Moscow waited too long to rein in the Czech government.
The House Government Operations Committee reports that low income residents in the nation's slums pay higher prices for lower quality goods at food chain stores. The National Association of Food Chains denied the charge, adding that the report "... contains inflammatory material that may well spark riots around the country."
The California delegation to the Democratic National Convention is seeking to bar floor demonstrations after nominating speeches. While making the motion, Pierre Salinger told fellow delegates that he thought that such demonstrations during the Republican convention made it "a bad show."
These are the top news stories for August 12, 1968.
President Johnson underwent an x-ray examination at Brooke Army Medical Center today. He suffers from diverticulosis, an intestinal disorder normally treated by surgery. X-rays were taken to discover the amount of damage in the area.
Dwight D. Eisenhower is making progress in recovering from a major heart attack. Doctors at Walter Reed Army Hospital report that the former president no longer requires the use of oxygen treatment. He is also eating solid food, but is still under bed rest.
Like Richard Nixon, Vice President Hubert Humphrey believes that he will win the Democratic nomination on the first ballot. Humphrey told reporters that he was looking forward to campaigning for the November race.
Georgia Governor Lester Maddox says that he might enter the Democratic Presidential race to prove that Democratic Party consisted of "more than liberals and socialists." Meanwhile, Senator George McGovern, who recently joined the race, believes that there are a fair amount of disgruntled Democrats who will choose him above Hubert Humphrey and Eugene McCarthy. An Associated Press survey reveals that McGovern is only supported by 28 delegates. The Democratic nominee needs 1,312 votes to win the party's nomination.
Baseball's Jackie Robinson, who recently served as an aide to Nelson Rockefeller, said that he would back any Democrat over Richard Nixon. Accusing Richard Nixon of running a racist campaign, Robinson told reporters that he "has prostituted himself and sold himself out to the bigots in the South." Robinson campaigned on Richard Nixon's behalf during the 1960 campaign.
These are the top news stories for August 13, 1968.
Senator Eugene McCarthy urges supporters not to go to Chicago. At a news conference today, the democratic presidential hopeful said that "This would be a tragedy - a personal tragedy for any hurt or arrested, and a tragedy for those of us who wish to give the political process a fair and peaceful test." McCarthy asked young people not to attend the demonstrations amid many reports that militants and students arriving in the city may number upwards of 100,000.
Rev. Ralph David Abernathy told reporters that he wishes Vice President Humphrey would dissociate himself from the Johnson Administration. Telling reporters that he hopes Humphrey will resign, so, in his words, "he can run for president as the true Hubert H. Humphrey, the one we knew in the U.S. Senate." There was no comment from the Humphrey campaign. Meanwhile, San Francisco Mayor Joseph Alioto told a fundraising banquet that the best Democratic chance for Presidency would be a Humphrey - Edward Kennedy ticket.
Little Rock, Arkansas experienced its fourth day of violence as police attempted to enforce a 10 p.m. curfew. Police were shot at and businesses were firebombed, though actual damage was reported to be minimal.
The Federal Government will provide $4.35 million dollars to aid state governments in the prevention of civil disorders. Attorney General Ramsey Clark sent telegrams to state governors urging them to take part in this special program.
In London, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was asked to award Peter Humphrey a prize for saving his goldfish, George, from drowning. Finding the fish floating on top of his garden pond, Humphrey discovered that a pebble had jammed inside the goldfish's mouth. Upon releasing the pebble, Humphrey let the fish back into the pond, saving its life. Peter Hume, an inspector for the Royal Society, said that "Not many people know that a fish can drown if it swallows too much water."
These are the top news stories for August 14, 1968.
Senator Eugene McCarthy called his supporters, "the government in exile" during a campaign appearance in St. Louis today. Making a peace sign from the platform, McCarthy wiped tears from his eyes as more than 10,000 supporters cheered, applauded and whistled during his appearance. He told the crowd that they could probably be heard all the way to Chicago.
Senator McCarthy's campaign will challenge numerous delegate credentials for the upcoming convention. According to McCarthy's credentials coordinator, they will focus on Georgia's 107-member delegation, charging that negroes were blocked from voting in the primary. A pro-McCarthy Georgia delegation has been formed, in the event that the Credentials Committee rules against the already-seated delegation.
The latest Associated Press survey shows that Vice President Hubert Humphrey has 824 delegates towards receiving the Democratic nomination. This amount is in sharp contrast to Humphrey's claim that he has 1600 delegates. The survey also revealed that Senator Eugene McCarthy has 436 delegates and Senator George McGovern has 28. Nearly 891 delegates remain uncommitted.
National Guardsmen will be on "regularly scheduled drills" in Chicago during the Democratic National Convention. If needed, the 800 Guardsmen can transfer to the streets at a moment's notice.
Despite meeting with negotiators for four hours today, the U.S. and North Vietnamese have failed to break the deadlock that has plagued the Paris Peace Talks. W. Averell Harriman, chief negotiator, told reporters that he doesn't see any progress, though he believes that the North Vietnamese now understand the absurdity of asking for an unconditional bombing halt.
These are the top news stories for August 15, 1968.
Secretary of Defense Clark Clifford said that there would be no bombing halt in North Vietnam. During a news conference, Clifford stated that the March 31 bombing halt did not include areas near the demilitarized zone, where troops may be in danger.
Iowa Governor Harold Hughes relinquished his role as favorite son for the upcoming Democratic convention. Withdrawing his status means that 16 Iowa delegates will now be allowed to vote for the candidate of their choice. Hughes says that he will work for "a free and open" convention.
The 11th annual Southern Christian Leadership Conference opened last night with a "black consciousness" rally. During a speech, William Rutherford accused historians of wiping negroes out of history books. Sources report that there will be no presidential endorsement this year.
Dr. Nichlas Malleson from the University of London's Student Health Services told the International Congress of World Federation for Mental Health that if marijuana was legal, then he would prefer this sons smoke that instead of drinking alcohol, using tobacco or riding a motorcycle. He told a panel at the group that there was no evidence that marijuana use led to harder drugs. A British researcher disputed his testimony. Two American psychiatrists appearing before the panel issued contradictory opinions on the use of LSD, with one testifying that it could create "heightened psychic powers."
These are the top news stories for August 16, 1968.
At a televised rally in New York City, Senator Eugene McCarthy said that the Vietnam War was of "questionable legality and questionable constitutionality." Telling supporters that 26,000 soldiers have been killed and 167,000 wounded during the course of the war, he called on the Democratic Party to "recognize the failures" of the present policy in its 1968 platform. McCarthy spoke to a crowd of supporters in Madison Square Garden. His address was carried by closed circuit television to 23 other cities across the country. Harry Belafonte also performed during the rally.
The only Negro on Maryland Governor Spiro Agnew's staff has resigned. Citing Agnew's policies on race, Dr. Gilbert Ware, who served on the U.S. Civil Rights Commission, said that he had "fundamental objections" with the administration's positions.
Czechoslovakia and Romania signed a 20-year treaty today. The agreement promises "friendship and mutual assistance." Pravda, the Soviet Communist party newspaper, accused the Czechs of "violating the spirit" of the last Soviet - Czechoslovak meeting.
Lawyers for James Earl Ray asked the court to dismiss the first degree murder charges against their client. Citing enormous publicity in the trial of Dr. Martin Luther King's accused assassin, lawyers told the court that it would be impossible for their client to get a fair trial anywhere in America.
The Democratic National Committee has banned liquor from being served during the Chicago convention. A spokesman for the canteen corporation told reporters that the party wanted everyone to be lucid. The bill for convention treats is expected to be reach $250,000.
These are the top news stories for August 17, 1968.
Doctors at Walter Reed Hospital are expressing concern over the health of Former President Dwight D. Eisenhower. After suffering his seventh heart attack, Eisenhower lapsed into unconsciousness twice. The seizures were stopped through a process using electricity called defibrillation. He is receiving medical attention and oxygen treatments around the clock. There is no evidence that Eisenhower sustained brain damage.
Vice President Hubert Humphrey said today that he and Senator Robert Kennedy held similar views about Vietnam. He told the New York Liberal Party's executive committee that he supported Kennedy during his 1964 Senate race. Humphrey has been widely seen as one of the chief supporters of President Johnson's war policy.
Senator Eugene McCarthy said that North and South Vietnam should create a coalition government which could take power in Saigon. If South Vietnam refused his plan, then the U.S. should withdraw its support and troops from the region.
The McCarthy Campaign has once again accused the Democratic National Committee of stacking the deck against their candidate. Out of the five men who were selected to run the convention, two openly support rival Hubert Humphrey. Two others are supporters of President Johnson.
Georgia Governor Lestor Maddox entered the Democratic Presidential race today. In a televised announcement in the Georgia State capitol, he said that he would make "law and order" his first priority. He also called the Paris peace talks "surrender on the installment plan."
