St. Paul recorder., 1963-05-23
World Press Is
Critical Of US.
CONTINUED from Page ~

science, so its inability to solve its
social problems is a bit puzzling,
to say the least. England has its
share of race problems too, so
there is intense interest in how
America goes about solving its
problem.
Most people here think America
is doing a poor job so far and the
bad image created by the Birming-
ham riots could hardly be erased
by great scientific achievement.
Newspaper reaction to Birming-
ham was world wide and harmful
to the United States.
Critical editorials appeared in
Spain, Portugal and the Neither
lands. Newspapers in the main, the
reaction of Western European
newspapers was Strained.
Strongest denunciation Of the
racial trouble came from Moscow,
Peking and other Communist ma
dons.
Western Europeans generally
sympathize with the way Presi-
dent Kennedy's administration is
dealing with the problem.
Officials and editors in North
Atlantic Treaty Organization capt.
tails understand that the United
States Federal system Of Govern
ment limits the amount Of pressure
Washington can bring into play.
This was particularly appreciated
in West Germany, which has a
similar Federal set-up.
But worried overseas friends Of
the United States in London,
Paris, Rome and other centers are
saying that news pictures Of Ne
groes being harried by police dogs
and fire hoses project an unfortun-
ate images not easily forgotten.
British newspapers generally
warned their readers against SNUG
self-satisfaction. Britain has ex-
perienced racial troubles In recent
years. Writing with this in mind,
a columnist in the pro-Labor Daily
Herald said:
The number of Americans who
are savage, vicious, ignorant and
barbarous is small compared with
the number who are reasonable,
tolerant and well meaning"
The London Daily Telegraph
said the color bar "is against rea-
son, against Christian ethics,
against political expediency."
But the Daily Express said that
the President was acting with
tact, patience and nberality."
The Manchester Guardian had
the following to say:
The Administration may not
have done enough to satisfy the
more impatient Of the Negro vot-
ers - and, nine years after the
Supreme Courts call for deliver
ate speed" toward integration, the
patience Of a good many seems to
be wearing thin. But its reasons
for caution have much more to do
with a genuine regard for legal
process and gradual evolution than
with a dread Of losing white votes
In the South.
Here are samples Of editorial
reaction from elsewhere in Europe:
Time is pressing President Ken
nedy, whose policy with regard to
the underdeveloped countries is
being attacked by a racial prob
lem which has particular repercus-
sions in Africa" Les Echos, Paris.
"In Birmingham an uninhibited
Police Commissioner - ironically
one with very dubious claim to
present office - has been setting
Alsatians on peaceful male demon
strators, turning fire hoses on
women and children, and confining
prisoners in what seem unspeak-
able conditions. There may have
been some faults on the other side
Yet it Is difficult to advance
counsels Of moderation when, for
instance, a postman who entered
the state as a lone Freedom
Marcher" was promptly murdered"
THE PRESS. Delhi.