South Bend, November 1967
The Devaluation of the Pound Sterling
The devaluation of the pound sterling of approximately 14% last Sunday, November 18, hit the world like a bolt from the blue, although it could not have come as a surprise for insiders. The economic crisis in Great Britain will undoubtedly have its effect on the EFTA countries. It also puts the division of the European economy into the Common Market and the EFTA in question. Furthermore, the devaluation of the pound sterling raises the specter of a worldwide economic crisis.
[The EFTA (European Free Trade Association) was founded in 1959 following a British proposal. Besides Great Britain, Denmark, Norway and Portugal also the three neutral countries Austria, Sweden, and Switzerland belonged to the European Free Trade Association.]
South Bend, November 1967
Municipal Elections
The municipal elections of November 7 have given the colored population, through the democratic process, more say in city governments. For the first time, two colored candidates have won the elections for mayor in Cleveland, Ohio, and Gary, Indiana. Although the National Guard stood ready for action in Gary, the election was carried out in an orderly fashion. Likewise, the election results were accepted without disturbances. Thereby, another step was taken, which will finally lead to racial equality.
[In the following decades a large number of Afro-American candidates won mayoral races, among others in big cities like Chicago and St. Louis. Not until the late 1970s has the expression “African-American” or “Afro-American” been accepted in everyday American speech.]
South Bend, November 24, 1967
The Escalation of the Vietnam War
Over the Thanksgiving Weekend the fiercest fighting up to now took place in Vietnam. Although little is said about it, the uncertainty as well as the progressing escalation of the war are felt as a heavy burden that dampens the spirit of the country. It becomes more evident with every day that the next presidential election will be decided by the War in Vietnam.
South Bend, November 25, 1967
200 Million Americans
Last week the demographic clock at the U.S. Department of Commerce registered the birth of the 200th million American. By the end of the century the U.S. population may well reach 300 million.
[It would be wrong to assume that counting the U.S. population is correct up to the latest born American citizen. The Bureau of Census in the U.S. Department of Commerce carries out a comprehensive census every ten years with a margin of error between 3-5%. Accordingly, the U.S. population has grown from 151 million (1950), 203 million (1970) to 248 million (1990). See Encyclopedia Americana, “United States, Population, Table 1”.]
South Bend, [End] November 1967
The European Dilemma
Only after coming here, one becomes fully aware of the extent of the European dilemma - here, where there are no border or customs problems, no divided cities, no demarcation lines and barbed wires, in a country that can decide its own destiny. Here one has the impression that there is permanence and that people’s minds are future oriented. In contrast to America, everything in Europe got stuck in the provisional, while nobody dares to say with certainty what the future will hold.