University of Virginia Library

City Rejects 'People's Peace Treaty'

By Mike Gartlan
Cavalier Daily Staff Writer

Photo By Mike Gartland

Ken Lewis, Member Of The National Student Association

Mr. Lewis Presented The "People's Peace Treaty" To City Council

Charlottesville's City Council Monday
night rejected 4-1 a request by the
Virginia Mobilization Committee that it
ratify the People's Peace Treaty.

In refusing to ratify the treaty, council
stated that it did not have any authority
over foreign policy matters and that it
could not pass any resolution concerning
policy affairs.

Ken Lewis, a member of the National
Student Association, made the proposal
before council and a packed chamber
room. In making the request Mr. Lewis
urged the council to endorse the treaty
because the war in Southeast Asia has gone on
too long."

After a brief discussion, Mayor Mitchell Van
Yahres said that the Council would take the
matter under advisement. This was followed by
discussion about the proposed widening of
Preston Avenue. At this point a student
addressed the council saying that because the
Preston Avenue was "being discussed in a
democratic manner, why not discuss the treaty
in a democratic manner."

Confusion

Mr. Van Yahres then replied that council
could take no action on the matter because there
was some confusion as to whether or not the
council could act on the matter. Councilman
Joseph W. Wright then interrupted the mayor
saying, "I am certainly ready to act on the
treaty I reject it."

Councilman Kenneth E. Davis then added
that he too rejected the treaty calling it "a
piece of lie."

In the ensuing discussion, the question of
Council's ability to endorse a resolution was
considered. Councilman Francis Fife then
pointed out that the council had endorsed the
"Write Hanoi" effort and in doing so had
started something that it should not have
begun.

Mr. Fife added that the council was
beginning to get involved in matters over which
it had no authority or jurisdiction. "What
difference does it make," he said, whether
council voted yes or no because it could do
nothing about the matter. Mr. Fife said further
that "council should run the city and not
foreign policy."

Foreign Policy

A motion was then seconded which said that
"city council should take no action on the
matter because it could not entertain foreign
policy matters." Mr. Wright then asked if the
resolution could be retroactive. This question
brought laughter from the audience.

The motion was then passed 4-1 with Mr.
Wright voting no.

After this motion was passed, Mr. Lewis
then asked council to pass a resolution revoking
the "Write Hanoi" resolution. Mr. Van Yahres
heard the motion and said nothing.

After a short pause, the mayor said, "we will
now take up item 6 on the agenda."