These are the top news stories for August 22, 1968.
Fighting in the streets of Prague. Russian tanks and Communist troops roamed the streets in Czechoslovakia, as the Soviet invasion continues. Underground radio stations scattered throughout the country threatened to call a general strike if the Soviets did not leave within 24 hours. The government in Prague reportedly has been overtaken. Alexander Dubcek, leader of the reform government is under house arrest and Oldrich Cernik, Czechoslovak premier, has been taken to an airport and flown to an undisclosed location. Tass, the Soviet news agency, has called the reform leaders, "traitors" and vows to install a new government. Street fighting continue at this hour in the center of Prague.
Reaction around the world has been swift and stiff. Many governments have issued statements condemning the invasion. The Soviet embassy in London was attacked during a violent demonstration. Other Warsaw Pact embassies have reported violent disturbances as well. The Soviets have told world governments that it had been invited by authorities in Prague. Only North Vietnam and Syria have accepted this explanation.
Vice President Hubert Humphrey has called off a scheduled debate with contender Eugene McCarthy because of what he terms, the "delicate international situation" involving Czechoslovakia. His aides tell reporters that he did not want to debate latecomers George McGovern or Lester Maddox. Humphrey has left Chicago to attend the funeral of his former brother-in-law in Minnesota.
Recently released Gallup Polls show that Republican nominee Richard Nixon has risen sharply in the polls since the Republican Convention. In a race with Hubert Humphrey, Nixon was favored 45-to-29 percent. The Humphrey campaign attributes these numbers to a post-convention bounce in the polls.
Sources inside the McCarthy Campaign are telling reporters that their strategy for the convention will be similar to that of Nelson Rockefeller at the Republican Convention. Like Rockefeller, McCarthy will challenge the powers-that-be in the Democratic Party. He will take his case to the public, acknowledging that Democratic authorities are out of step with the common man. McCarthy will also tell them that Humphrey is unelectable.
