February 11, 1968
These are the top stories for today.
McCarthy Backed By Board Of A.D.A. by Marjorie Hunter
It was a divisive victory. “The coalition is finished,” said Gus Tyler. (New York Times)
Newark Riot Panel Calls Police Action ‘Excessive’ by Homer Bigart
The commission ruled that police used excessive and unjustified force against Negroes. 26 people were killed and 1000 injured during the 1967 summer riots. (New York Times)
Asian Church Group Denounced War
The East Asian Christian Conference have voted unanimously to denounce the war in Vietnam. These were all churches in Pakistan, Indian, Ceylon, Burma, New Zealand, Taiwan and Australia, among others. (New York Times)
A Johnson Drive May Aid McCarthy: Pledge Cards Found to Stir Anger in New Hampshire.
People are asked to sign pledge cards pledges to write Johnson’s name into the Presidential preference primary on March 12. McCarthy will make a three day swing this week throughout the state. Cards were distributed to all democrats and independents who want to commit themselves. “The pledges come close to denying the right to a free ballot.” he told a cheering crowd of 400 in the Concord Community Center last Tuesday night. If people stay home, it will help McCarthy. Pledge cards are nothing new, but for Johnson’s card each one is numbered. It is in three parts: one for their records, one for the white house which includes the name and address of the person and the other is forwarded to party headquarters. NH Governor King said that it would be unpatriotic not to vote for Johnson. (New York Times)
Kennedy Backers Switch Strategy. by John H. Fenton
They were going to try to get people to write Kennedy’s name in. Four who filed to be delegates will pledge to McCarthy. Kennedy has asked backers to withdraw. (New York Times)
February 12, 1968
These are the top stories for today.
Thant Meets Soviet Leaders; War in Vietnam is Discussed: Pravda Backs Hanoi by Anthony C. Collings
“U.N. Secretary – General U Thant talked about Vietnam with Soviet leadrs today for the second day as Pravda trumpeted renewed and unmodified support for Hanoi’s peace terms.” (Associated Press)
American Troops In Fight For Walled Citadel At Hue by George Esper
“Fresh U.S. Marines moved Sunday night into Hue’s Citadel, where the enemy has held out nearly two weeks against South Vietnamese forces, and other Americans battled Communist holdouts near the Saigon racetrack.” (Associated Press)
Growing Hard Line Seen on Objector Deferments by Dick Barnes
“Two burgeoning organizations are spending more than $200,000 a year to counsel conscientious objectors to military service, but Selective Service says there’s been no Vietnam-period increase in the proportion of young men winning such exemptions.” (Associated Press)
Negroes Plan Rights Boycott by Don McKee
“Negroes turned to a boycott of white business today as they pressed for civil rights gains and immediate removal of National Guard troops from this riot-torn city.” (Associated Press)
Radical Editors Say Their Job Is In “Movement”
By Henry Raymont
The office is decorated with oversized pictures of Che Guevara and then Marx, Lenin and others. “We are Movement People acting as journalists.” Jack A. Smith, 23 year old managing editor of The Guardian, a weekly which describes itself as independent radical”. Robert Long, who just came back from Cuba and William Rose are the news editor. With a circulation of 28,000, it is the largest radical weekly in the country. It runs at an annual deficit of $100,000. (New York Times)
February 13, 1968
These are the top stories for today.
10,500 More Troops Being Sent to Vietnam: U.S. Still Ready to Talk by Michael L. Posner
“The United States is rushing 10,500 additional combat troops to South Vietnam, the Defense Department announced today.” (United Press International)
Planes Bomb Positions by Eugene V. Risher
“Allied troops killed at least 133 guerrillas on Saigon’s outskirts today and U.S. B52 Stratofortresses bombed the Viet Cong positions to prevent a second invasion of the South Vietnamese capital.” (United Press International)
1,000-Man Posse Set For Demo Convention by Tony Fulcer
“Cook County Sheriff Joseph J. Woods plans to have at his disposal this summer a 1,000-man, gun-carrying posse to cope with any racial disturbances and the threatened trouble at the Democratic National Convention.” (United Press International)
Romney And Nixon Begin Final N.H. Campaigning by Robert J. Taylor
“Republican presidential hopefuls Richard M. Nixon and George Romney begin the final month of the New Hampshire primary campaign today with Vietnam plice emerging as the issue of greatest contrast between them.” (United Press International)
Massachusetts Delegates Pledged To McCarthy Drive
They signed pledges during a Citizens for McCarthy rally in Malden Mass. (United Press International)
February 14, 1968
These are the top stories for today.
Negro In Newark In Key Police Job by Walter H. Waggoner
Captain will replace White officer in Central Ward. (New York Times)
Johnson’s Ratings On Vietnam Drops
Gallup Poll Finds Decline to 35% in Public Approval. 50% disapprove which is up from 47% in January. (New York Times)
U.S. Tracing Antiwar Mail Sent To Widow Of G.I.
“Some of the material said that American servicemen fighting in Vietnam were worse than cannibals. “ The widow received this kind of mail twice in the month after her husband died. (Associated Press)
Chicago Sheriff Plans Riot Squad
Seeks 1000 volunteers for military-style force.
Each volunteer would have to supply his own uniform, helmet, fun and provide 20K in liability insurance. Daley said that he expects no disturbances during the convention. Volunteers would supplement the 250 member riot squad. (New York Times)
Last Summer’s Riots Were Not Conspiracy by Gaylord Shaw
“The President’s Commission on Civil Disorders is reportedly moving toward the conclusion that last summer’s urban riots were spontaneous – not the result of a conspiracy.” (Associated Press)
February 15, 1968
These are the top stories for today.
2 Johnson Backers And McCarthy Clash
Manchester NH
Senator Thomas J. McIntyre of NH challenged Mccarthy to explain in detail his “alternative in Vietnam.”
McIntyre is a Johnson supporter. McCarthy responded that he’s spelled it out in proposals. Meanwhile Gov. King said that McCarthy “was a “spokesman for the forces of appeasement” who is advocating a “policy of surrender which would destroy everything we have been fighting for.” (United Press International)
400 Americans Killed in Fighting Last Week: Bombing Goes On at Hue
“Four hundreds Americans were killed in the Vietnam war last week, 16 short of the record total of the previous week, a U.S. spokesman said today.” (United Press International)
Vietnamese Collapse Predicted
“Harvard Prof. John Kenneth Galbraith says the collapse of the South Vietnamese government and army are imminent.” (Associated Press)
Army Stockpiles Riot Control Tools by Gaylord Shaw
“The Army is stockpiling riot control equipment in strategically located depots across the country, officials said today, and is ready to airlift it to any city if civil disorders break out next summer.” (Associated Press)
Vance Soothes Koreans: ‘Consultations’ are Promised by William L. Ryan
“U.S. presidential envoy Cyrus Vance left for Washington today saying his talks with South Korean leaders had been ‘good and very useful.’ South Korean officials expressed general satisfaction, but legislative spokesmen of both the government and opposition parties were critical.” (Associated Press)
February 16, 1968
These are the top stories for today.
Panmunjom Today Rates as a Frightening Sideshow by William L. Ryan
“In North Korea, the Communists predict unification by force, an uprising of ‘the people’ in the South against their government.” (Associated Press)
U.S. Plant Loss Listed at 800: Heavy Fighting at Hue
“Heavy fighting continued inside the historic walled Citadel at Hue today, the number of U.S. combat planes lost in the air war against North Vietnam reached 800, the U.S. Command reported another battle just outside Hue, and enemy mortar fire around the Khe Sanh killed 14 U.S. Marines and wounded 135.” (Associated Press)
3 American Fliers Released by Cong
“Hanoi radio said three U.S. fliers were turned over to two American pacifists today in the North Vietnamese capital.”
Report Details Waste, Laxity In Foreign Aid Program by Robert Gray
“A report detailing waste and laxity in U.S. foreign aid has further imperiled the program’s $3 billion proposed budget, already in deep trouble in Congress.” (Associated Press)
‘We’ve Given Enough to Vietnam Cause’
“The parents of Douglas Rowden, whose two older brothers have been killed in Vietnam, will fight to keep him from being drafted. ‘I feel we have donated enough to the Vietnam cause,’ said Harvey Rowden.” (Associated Press)
February 17, 1968
These are the top stories for today.
Johnson Denies Atom Use In Vietnam Is Considered by John W. Finney
He claims that it is not an option. (New York Times)
Johnson Discusses War; Westmoreland To Stay: Peace Not Near by Douglas B. Cornell
“President Johnson wants it loud and clear: Gen. William C. Westmoreland will stay on in Vietnam and peace negotiations with Hanoi are no nearer than they were three years ago.” (Associated Press)
Demonstrators March Against Athletic Club Track Meet by Ray Kohn
“Pickets backed by hundreds of howling demonstrators battled police for four hours Friday night in an attempt to storm the new Madison Square Garden and stop Negro athletes from competing in a New York Athletic Club track meet.” It was said that the club excluded black athletes and allowed “token” Jewish memberships. (Associated Press)
Most Deferments To End For Graduate Students; Job Exemptions Limited by Neil Sheehan
The administration abolished most deferments. Exceptions are still made for medical and dental students, students in allied fields and those who will have completed 2 or more years of studies by June. Under the new rules they expected 75,000 other men now faced with the draft to volunteer outright. “The decision means that most college graduates in 1968 and students ending their first year of graduate school in 1968 will be drafted in the near future,” according to Dr. Logan Wilson, president of the American Council on Education.” (New York Times)
McCarthy, Here, Offers War View
By Steven V. Roberts
McCarthy thinks that drafting of younger men before they reach college would be a more reasonable alternative. (New York Times)
