South Bend, December 3, 1980
Worried about Poland
[In the fall of 1980, the independent union Solidarnosc under Lech Walesa had called a general strike in Poland.]
The strike situation in Poland has come to a head to the extent that there is serious danger of an intervention by the Soviet Union. About 35 divisions are standing ready at Poland’s Eastern and Western borders. Will Moscow give orders to invade Poland? This is the alarming question in the world today. If the Communist Party in Poland should lose control of the situation, then there is undoubtedly the possibility that the Soviet Union, with the assistance of other East Bloc countries, may march into Poland, such as it was done in Czechoslovakia. In this case, how would the West react?
December 15, 1980
The Warning
At their recent meeting in Brussels, NATO countries have shown rare unanimity. A strong warning was given to Moscow that an invasion of Poland would have serious consequences. One can heave a sigh of relief, in the meantime the situation in Poland has calmed down.
South Bend, December 25, 1980
The Hostages in Tehran
The 52 American hostages had to spend a second Christmas in captivity in Tehran. Although the images, which had been released by Tehran over the holidays, gave the impression that the physical condition of the hostages is satisfactory, they could not delude the evil of the situation. Attempts have been made time and again at taking advantage of the hostage crisis by blackmail and excessive demands. There is no telling how this will end.