University of Virginia Library

Shannon Phones Byrd,
Appeals War Views

By Alan Featherstone
Cavalier Daily Staff Writer

Speaking to a crowd of students in
front of Alderman Library yesterday,
Edgar F. Shannon announced that he had
spoken with U.S. Senators Harry Byrd
and William Spong of Virginia and had
arranged for a group of student leaders to
meet with them on Monday to discuss
"matters of urgent importance to our
nation and its young people."

Mr. Shannon spoke only a short while
about major student concerns, namely
the "tragic war in Southeast Asia," and
other "aspects of violence in our
society." He read aloud the letters he
is sending to the Virginia senators to
confirm the action he has taken.

Letter Reads

The letters read in part, "...I agree
with our students that underlying much of the
present student disaffection is the war in
Vietnam and the recent decision to send
American forces into Cambodia.

"I am deeply disturbed over the continued
alienation of our young men and women owing
largely to our nation's military involvement in
Southeast Asia.

"It is my firm conviction that student views
and questions on this matter need to be heard

by those in a position to influence and shape
national policy. Likewise, I feel it important
that our students have an opportunity to learn
more about this complex matter directly from
those in positions of national leadership."

His remarks completed, Mr. Shannon left
the speaker's platform and wound his way
through the crowd of 2000 students; some
applauding, some shouting, some booing, and
some throwing marshmallows. Several students
shouted appeals concerning the demands to Mr.
Shannon as he left, hoping for a response to
them.

Harbaugh Speaks

Speaking next was William H. Harbaugh,
Professor of History, who spoke candidly about
the actions Mr. Shannon had taken. He
emphasized that the most immediate crisis in
the U.S. today is the military action in
Cambodia. He said that the "real gut issue"
here today is the Cambodian crisis -not ROTC.

"ROTC is being debated in the faculty
now," he said. "You know that the faculty and
the University are acting on that issue. But
ROTC can wait a month, Cambodia can't."

Mr. Harbaugh explained the "narrow limits"
within which the President of this University
has to operate to affect any sort of acceptable
change. "The Senate stands between us and the
President of the United States." He said that
going to the Senate was the best move to make
and "that is what President Shannon has done."

Commenting on the student's demands, Mr.
Harbaugh noted that one day is not enough
time to act on the demands and that they are
being considered.

When he said that hasty action on the
demands would cause the faculty to revolt, one
student shouted, "They will, we are."

Charles Whitebread, Assistant Professor of
Law, spoke about the court injunction issued
Tuesday morning saying that it can't be
withdrawn. He also noted that it would be near
impossible to enforce.

Whitebread Speaks

Mr. Whitebread appealed to the students not
to get "bogged down" on local issues and to
join the national cause and emphasize
Cambodia. "Escalation of this war is insanity,"
he said. Cambodia is the issue.

Commenting generally on the student strike,
Mr. Whitebread stated that the students all
across the nation are seeking to set forth the
best principles this society has to offer. He
defended Mr. Shannon's actions saying that he
has helped in this effort and not detracted from
it. He further noted that this task and these
issues are being supported by all of us.

Following Mr. Whitebread's speech the
students began the march to University Hall to
hear Attorney William Kunstler and Jerry
Rubin speak.