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Spring 1984
The Rock, Spring 1984 (vol. 55, no. 3)
Whittier College
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This Magazine is brought to you for free and open access by the Archives and Special Collections at Poet Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in The Rock by an authorized administrator of Poet Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. SPRING 1984 VOL. LV, NO. 3 nm 1?C(= 1 IIITIER COLLEGE
Closing the Gap AMERICA AND THE SOVIET UNION
HHH1 MHHHH1 H K1D1310 1IO)RA?CKOM IOMPHAHPOCCI$LA[bTA 1818 THE GK Volume LV, No. 3 Spring 1984
THE ROCK is published four times a eG-1o'wSrr11e year, Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer 1&!orrie by Whittier College, 13406 Philadelphia Avenue, Whittier, California 90601. Contents
DR. KISSINGER'S SPEECH Center ROOTS OF CONFLICT 1 TRIBUTE TO JESSAMYN WEST McPHERSON 5 ON CAMPUS 7 LAW SCHOOL 13 OLD ACQUAINTANCES 14 The President's Corner
n this issue of THE ROCK we are reporting on two matters, both Iimportant to the College, but otherwise very dissimilar. The first is the great success of the John Greenleaf Whittier Society Second Recognition Dinner. It was gratifying to see so many people gathered together out of their affection for and interest in this historic College. Many were alumni, many were friends, and many, we hope, who were strangers to Whittier, will become friends. Dr. Henry A. Kissinger was, of course, the "star" of the evening and his speech was both interesting and thought-provoking. You can read it in the center pages of this magazine, which will enable those of you who were not present to share something of the evening that was experienced by over 1,000 guests. We are grateful to Trustee Ruth Shannon and Mr. Shannon for their help in arranging for Dr. Kissinger to be with us. The other event to be recorded in this issue expresses our "sorrow following upon joy." The death of Jessamyn West McPherson, noted author, former Trustee and graduate of the Class of 1923, affected all of us. In her writing she had the knack of involving the reader, so that even those who did not have the privilege of knowing Jessamyn personally, felt a kinship with her. There is a tribute to her in these pages, and the next issue of the maga- zine will include some reminiscences of alumni/ae who had attended her classes, as well as comments by two members of the faculty who were among her close friends. We will not see her like again. Eugene S. Mills The Roots of Conflict
"Roots of Conflict "is the title of a presentation made by Professors Mike McBride and Fred Bergerson of the political science department and moderated by Professor Joe Fairbanks of the history department. It was first presented at the Whittier Institute of International Understanding, co-sponsored by the College and the American Friends Service Committee; it also formed part of an "On Campus " television show and most recently was given at a luncheon for the John Greenleaf Whittier Society members on January 21, 1984.
Fairbanks: How does a topic like time that the Americans were "Roots of Conflict" tie into what entering it, the Americans were you teach Whittier College students resentful and felt he was a threat in the classroom? to their national well-being. Also, the Communist aspect itself was a Bergerson: When I discuss United problem. There was a fear of States/Soviet relations in class, I try radicalism growing out of the labor to learn the most fundamental movement in this country in the assumptions of the students and see 1880s and 90s. whether they're sound and what they're based on. I find that most Fairbanks: That was made even undergraduates take it for granted worse, of course, by the United All this makes it difficult to nego- that the Soviets are our logical, States' intervention in Siberia after tiate, because each party regards natural, historic enemy and we World War I and the failure to the other as an enemy. should be prepared to be in conflict recognize the Soviet Union until with them and spend enormous the 1930s. Bergerson: We haven't spoken sums on arms. about the period of the 1930s, I ask them why we feel that way McBride: There are a number but at that time the Russians were about the Soviets, how long we've of things that contribute to the among those most willing to do been enemies and what brought Russian antipathy toward the something to stop the rise of this about. I point out that Russia United States too. During World Hitler, and they thought we were was actually considered a friend to War II, Russia lost well over 20 willing to let the Nazis and the the United States during and after million people and felt that the Communists kill each other off and the American Revolution. Catherine Western allies were not doing their let the Russians bear the brunt. the Great was seen by Americans share. Stalin kept asking for a Eventually they turned the tables as being friendly and Russia was second front, which only came in on the Western allies by signing regarded as having a positive rela- 1944. While we provided lend- the Ribbentrop/Molotov Pact, tionship to the United States. lease aid in considerable amounts, and made peace with the Nazis During the Civil War, the Russian they thought it was a minimal for a couple of years while both of fleet came into San Francisco contribution to the war effort. We them strengthened their hands. harbor, and it was headline news didn't agree to their demands on Finally the Nazis reneged on the that Russia was supporting the Berlin and opposed them in Iran treaty, and though the USSR Union. At a time when it was felt and in Greece with the Truman became our allies in World War II, that the Confederacy would win Doctrine. Our policy of contain- many in the Soviet Union felt the support of the British and the ment following Churchill's "Iron resentment against the Western French, Russia was seen as a Curtain" speech at Fulton, Missouri, powers for not stopping Hitler counterweight. formed part of the roots of the when there was still time, while in American enmity towards Russia Cold War. In addition, of course, America there was the feeling that began less than a hundred years the fact that we had used nuclear we should be appreciated for ago. Their revolution had a mostly weapons in Japan, and they had sending lend-lease supplies to negative reception here; at first not yet developed them, was a Murmansk and risking our sailors' people were somewhat sympathetic cause for fear. lives. because they wanted to terminate They continue to view us as very the oppression of the Czars, but in aggressive—VietNam, the Domini- Fairbanks: So it wouldn't be World War I there was a feeling that can Republic, Guatamala, and now wrong to say that each side had Lenin was really a German stooge Nicaragua and El Salvador, only misperceptions of the other? and, because he was willing to pull confirm their negative perceptions. the Russians out of the war at the Bergerson: I'm not sure they were misperceptions, exaggerated
1 perceptions might be better. A McBride: The historical back- their ties to West Germany, are lot of our actions after World War ground is relevant, because today looked upon by the Soviet Union II were regarded as tolerance of we are in a major dialogue about as people who want the destruction German revanchism—the Russians what to do about the arms. There of their system. feel the West Germans are not that has also, of course, been a major much better than the Nazis, because change in Soviet leadership, and Fairbanks: I think this is a classic the plains between their country since Chernenko probably won't kind of confrontation, where you and Germany have been the site of be around for more than a few can state the arguments on either invasion for over 900 years and years, there will be further change. side, make a very strong case, and they felt the new West German What will the future hold? convince people that that is the government was going to re-arm, Communist ideology sees Capi- correct point of view. For both which they did, supported by talism (and in that sense the United sides it is a seemingly logical, America, and that those arms States) as an enemy that must coherent argument. would be directed at the Soviet change its ways, must disappear, Union, which they are. or must be overcome. Also, Bergerson: Another difficulty in because the Soviet Union has had negotiations is that each side has so much domestic difficulty, they different definitions of some of need an enemy to divert the the key terms. When we talk about attention of the people. It's a lot free elections, we mean one thing, easier to spend on military goods when they do it's freedom to select and weapons and heavy industry the best candidate whom the lead- and to sacrifice on domestic and ers themselves have chosen; what agricultural production if there's we mean by peace and peaceful a constant threat "out there." co-existence is different from what Then, if you look at our side, they mean, because for them it where members of the administra- exists when there is competition— tion view Communism as a real economically and socially—to show evil, certainly Russian actions in that Communism is the best system. Afghanistan and Poland haven't This is especially true in terms of given them any reason to change security. The Russians were in- their mind. We need an enemy vaded by the Germans, the Poles, "out there" to justify military the Swedes, the Tartars, the ending as much as the Russians Mongols. T. One of the difficulties in negotiating between the two sides McBride: And they lost the may well be that neither side seems 1905 war with Japan. I believe to accept the existence of the other that for them military security as justifiable. Communist ideology means superiority; that is, they do Frederick A. Bergerson received his (and consequently Soviet leaders) not feel secure unless they have doctorate from Vanderbilt University. argues that capitalism must and will a larger number of conventional He served as a Congressional Fellow to be overthrown; and we seem to be and nuclear weapons. Of course Congressman Frank Thompson Jr., arguing that Communism, an evil they also have so much to defend during 1977-78 and to Senator Daniel system, must disappear. How can in terms of borders. Not only do K. Inouye during 1978. Dr. Bergerson two sides negotiate if neither they have to worry about Western served in the United States Army, receiv- accepts the other side's right to Europe, where the Germans have ing his honorable discharge as a Captain exist? invaded easily twice this century, in 1968. His book, The Army Gets an but they have to deal with China, Air Force was published by Johns Hopkins Fairbanks: This represents a very where there were local skirmishes University Press in 1980, and he has strong current in the American in the 1960s and 70s. So when we written numerous articles for professional attitude toward the Soviet Union talk about parity we mean one journals and presented papers at a num- that goes a long way back, as Fred thing, and when the Russians talk ber of panels in Washington, DC, Atlanta, has indicated. about it they mean something else. Georgia, and various universities and While we have strength in terms colleges. Bergerson: I think we can empha- of submarine and Air Force wea- size that the ideological perspective pons, the Russians are more land- Fairbanks: In fact the European- has a quasi-religious content. Amer- base oriented. We want to cut out based intermediate range and cruise ican anti-Communism is part of our the things they are strong in, they and other missiles have strengthened civil religion. They attack our want to cut out the things we are the Russians' suspicions and economic system, they hate and fear strong in. When we throw this resulted in paranoia in the Soviet our freedoms, they are a threat to toget..ier with the negative percep- Union. our very existence and survival, tions each has of the other it and in many respects are a poten- becomes extremely difficult to tial source of Armageddon; and find areas for discussion and conversely the Americans, with compromise.
2 Fairbanks: Whenever you talk about the Cold War, of course you have to talk about Yalta. The Russians felt perfectly willing to allow the United States to have a sphere of influence in the Western hemisphere, but thought we were denying them the same privilege in Eastern Europe. They didn't think that was fair. However, President Truman didn't think in those terms at all, his premise was that Com- munism was bad and had to be stopped wherever it was.
Bergerson: I think we should also look at those who derive some benefit from the Cold War. Rivalry between Russia and America is by no means primarily based on this, but I think there's a certain perpe- tuation in the idea that military forces desire bigger and more modern weapons. There are indus- trial interests, both in the United States and in the Soviet Union, Michael]. McBride received his Ph.D. from Purdue University. He served as director which benefit from a greater of the 1976 Whittier College-in-Copenhagen semester, during which he escorted the opportunity to produce modern students to Russia as well. Currently he is Director of Foreign Studies and advisor weapons and these interests are to the Model United Nations. Author of a number of articles in professional likely to support actions which journals, he has presented papers at various seminars and was a discussant on are looked on by the other side as "Totalitarianism Re-examined "at the Western Slavic Association in Portland, threatening. We say we're defend- Oregon. ing ourselves, while they say, "No, you're becoming aggressive and potentially attacking us." they have significant influence on goods and that makes it appear Politburo decisions. The Politburo that their equipment is of high Fairbanks: Many critics of United does work through sub-committees, quality, but some scholars report States policy argue that the Cold and it has a special council on that even their military factories War has had a tremendous impact defense, which probably now in- are not all that efficient. on segments of the American cludes Chernenko, Ustinov, There are other problems. The economy, and American bureau- Gromyko and perhaps Romanov people they are recruiting are from cracy has kept a lot ofprograms or Gorbachev. national minorities, some of whom and industry going in this country, don't even speak Russian, making perhaps not always the most Bergerson: The question of mili- it hard to communicate. There are positive ones. So it can be argued tary influence came up when difficulties in deciding which that the Cold War plays into the Breshnev died and then again when national groups might be sent to hands of some segments of both Andropov died. Everyone was different places in case of war. For asking who would succeed, who instance, when Moslem minorities the American and Soviet bureau- were sent into Afghanistan, some cracies and economies. would name the king, and would the military have a strong voice in Moslem units felt more supportive the decision? of the Afghan population than McBride: However, one of our they should have. But despite all problems is that we don't really McBride: The process seems un- this, it is probably in the mili- know how influential the Soviet tary's interest to keep the per- military is. At one time the chief clear. It looks as if the old guard has coalesced around Chernenko, ceptions of the West as hard line man in the Politburo came from a and aggressive, someone you need civilian background, now this is but whether it is they or the military who really support him is to defend the country against, less typical. Military people serve not certain. The military in the in order to ensure budget in the Central Committee of the USSR in some ways is not that allocations. Communist Party and are probably different from that in the United active in foreign ministries, etc., States. We tend to attribute all but we're not sure whether the power to the Soviet military and Politburo directs them or whether that's not totally accurate. They do get first choice on economic
3 Bergerson: Well, we do have only in trying to reduce troops in reasons to be on guard, and there Europe, but also because they are rational reasons for antipathy, provide an additional channel of yet in a world with tens of thou- communication between ourselves, sands of atomic warheads, one our allies, and the Warsaw Pct potential miscalculation could led by the Soviet Union. Those be the end of civilization as we negotiations have been going on know it. for over a decade; and even though there's no apparent major progress, Fairbanks: The headlines, in the the talks themselves potentially last year or so, seem to indicate constitute a structure of trust, a that many analysts believe we're place where we can get some things getting closer and closer to that out on the table, talk to each other point, that things are happening and perhaps avoid the possibility to make the misunderstandings of a mistake which would be a and the antipathy between the catastrophe for mankind. two countries more intense. What we are trying to bring out in our class discussions, is a sense McBride: We don't want to of proportion. How people can leave students with the idea that intelligently and correctly eval- there's no hope. Before you can uate tie situation in order to avoid start solving the problems you have some horrible error. It's our belief, to understand the issues. You have as teachers in a liberal arts college, to start some place where both the that truth and knowledge come Soviet Union and the United States through inquiry, and that's what can work together. It will be a long we want our citizens to be—curious, process, but we shouldn't avoid Joseph H. Fairbanks, Jr. received his analytical, concerned and involved. trying to talk to each other, to Ph.D. from the University of Arizona. continue to have exchanges be- During his service in the U.S. Army, he Fairbanks: Certainly this seminar tween scholars, political leaders, was a training officer at Fort Knox and demonstrates that the students at youth or whatever. an armored platoon leader in Mannheim, Whittier College have the oppor- Germany. He joined the Whittier College tunity to gain the sort of under- Bergerson: Like international faculty in 1970 and was named one of standing that will help them cope sports competitions or the multi- the "Outstanding Educators of America" with these crucial challenges. lateral force reduction talks which in 1975. He is a member of the Board of started on March 16 in Vienna. Directors of Whittier Intercommunity These talks are important, not Counselling Service.
4 Jessamyn West AkPherson