University of Virginia Library

Spong Requests Permission
For Prime Minister's Visit

Virginia's junior United States Senator, William B. Spong, Jr.,
has asked the State Department to allow Ian Smith, prime
minister of Rhodesia, to speak at the University.

Mr. Smith has been invited by the Student Legal Forum to
speak here, but the State Department has said it will not allow
him into the country unless he has a passport issued by Great
Britain.

In the letter sent Tuesday to the assistant secretary for congressional
relations, William B. Macomber Jr., Mr. Spong said
the "initial attitude of the State Department has been interpreted
widely as an 'effort to suppress divergent views.' "

Mr. Spong added that the invitation represented academic
interest in Mr. Smith's views, not support of his government's
policies.

Following a letter from Mr. Smith which advised the Legal
Forum that he may be able to accept their invitation in the
spring if permission to enter the country is obtained. Rosewell
Page III, President of the Legal Forum, wrote the Passport
Division of the State Department asking what steps should be
taken to ascertain whether Prime Minister Smith will be permitted
to come or not.

Sen. Spong's letter to Mr. Macomber stated, "I hope Mr.
Page's request for guidance will be given the most sympathetic
consideration so some arrangement can be made for Prime Minister
Smith to speak in Charlottesville.

"I think Mr. Smith's visit should be allowed and that he
should be heard by university students who can debate and discuss
his views."

He further noted, "I can think of no more appropriate university
for such an appearance than the University, which was
founded by Thomas Jefferson to encourage the free exchange of
ideas."

Copies of the Senator's letter were sent to Mr. Page, and also
to University President Edgar F. Shannon, Jr. and Law School
Dean, Hardy C. Dillard.