The Spanish people waited uneasily for a major change in their nation’s history as death seemed imminent for Generalissimo Francisco Franco. Medical bulletins issued in speedy succession stressed the gravity of the 82-year-old Chief of State’s heart condition and appeared to prepare the nation for the advent to power of his chosen successor, Prince Juan Carlos de Borbon. A mass was held in the Pardo Palace, the general’s home, at which he took communion. and received the sacrament of the sick, which was formerly called the last rites.
Few events in modern Spain have been so eagerly awaited or so greatly feared as the departure of General Franco from power after 36 years. Paradoxically, nearly every group of his supporters and his foes agreed that what was needed was a change in leadership. They also appeared to want as peaceful a transition as possible.
Seventy members of the prestigious Soviet Academy of Sciences issued a statement condemning Nobel Peace Prize winner Andrei D. Sakharov, a fellow academy member. The statement said Soviet scientists “believe that the award of the Nobel Prize to Sakharov is unseemly and provocative in nature.” The signatories included the acting president of the academy, Vladimir Kotelinikov, several vice presidents and a number of Soviet Nobel laureates. The statement, along with the 72 signatures, which represent less than a third of the 242 academy members, was published in Izvestia, the government newspaper.
A private detective’s claim that 10 American servicemen have been prisoners in the Soviet Union for 25 years will be looked into by a Senate intelligence committee, Senator Frank Church (D-Idaho), chairman of the Senate panel, said. The U.S. Navy fliers reportedly were shot down over the Baltic Sea on April 8, 1950, and officially listed as dead a year later. A Grand Rapids, Michigan, detective contends the plane was on an intelligence mission and not on a training mission, as the Navy contended.
Venera 10 became the second space probe to land on the planet Venus. The probe touched down 1,975 miles away from Venera 9 at 8:17 am Moscow time and relayed data, including photographs. The Russians placed the second spacecraft on the surface of Venus in three days. The unmanned craft touched down 1,375 miles from the landing site of the first craft and transmitted photographs showing a terrain far different from the rugged, rock-strewn site of the first craft. The latest pictures showed what Soviet scientists called an old mountain formation with rounded rocks resembling huge pancakes.
An angry crowd of about 4,000 people demonstrated here today against the assassination of two Turkish diplomats in Europe. The protesters stormed into St. Sophia Museum, once a landmark Byzantine Greek church, and said Muslim prayers. Charging through police lines, the Turks “politely advised” tourists to leave the historic area and prayed. Before continuing their march through the streets of Istanbul, they left behind placards reading: “Damn Greeks,” “We Will Step On Greek Blood for Revenge” and “Church Bells Must Stop Ringing.” The police reported no injuries or damage to the historic site. The demonstrators, as well as many other Turks, hold Greeks or Greek Cypriots responsible for a role in the slaylings of the Turkish Ambassador to Vienna, Danis Tunalgil, on Wednesday and the Ambassador to Paris, Ismail Erez, yesterday. The French police, however, are working on the theory that Armenian terrorists were behind the slayings.
Irish authorities reinforced the 300-man force around the house in Monasterevin where two Irish Republican Army terrorists were holding Dutch industrialist Tiede Herrema captive after reports there would be an attempt to rescue the guerrillas. Hundreds of sightseers converged on the small market town but police did not let them get near the house.
Fighting at a soccer football game in England left 102 people injured and 38 arrested at Upton Park Stadium in West Ham. The football hooliganism incident took place in a game between West Ham United F.C. and Manchester United F.C., and involved 400 violent fans. West Ham won 2–1.
The West German parliament passed a controversial law amendment which could bar people from such jobs as judges, teachers or even railway workers if they did not confirm their total loyalty to a free and democratic state. The so-called “radicals’ decree” was passed with the votes of the social-liberal parliamentary majority against the opposition Christian Democrats, who criticized the bill as “insufficient.”
The World Congress for International Women’s Year closed in East Berlin with the nearly 2,000 delegates and observers from 135 countries calling on parliaments, governments and the United Nations to increase efforts toward the general and complete emancipation of women. In a joint declaration, the 5-day congress demanded that women be granted active and equal participation in all spheres of life under “conditions of peace and social progress.”
The United Nations’ capacity as mediator in the Middle East is threatened by the recent resolution of the U.N. Social Affairs Committee declaring Zionism a form of racial discrimination, Secretary of State Henry A. Kissinger said. Speaking at a U.N. Day dinner in Washington celebrating the U.N.’s 30th anniversary, Kissinger called on “all nations to reconcile their vote with universal moral principles.”
As President Anwar Sadat left Cairo for a crucial visit to Washington, Egyptians seemed to be looking to the future with hope but at the same time pondering a number of questions. One is whether the United States will grant Egypt enough aid. Another is whether the oil-producing Arab countries will continue giving Egypt billions of dollars if her latest Sinai disengagement accord with Israel begins to look disadvantageous to the Arabs.
Civil order collapsed in Beirut as armed bands of rival political factions spread terror and death in wide sections of the immobilized Lebanese capital. As policemen and army units stood by, rocket, mortar and machine-gun exchanges pinned down citizens around the capital and its suburbs. Many citizens were killed in the crossfire. Eight people were reported killed and 25 wounded when four rockets fell near the Mokassed Hospital in a Muslim sector. The American Embassy urged officials to evacuate their families. The line of fighting continued to edge westwards toward the elite Ras Beirut section. Gunmen from the right wing Phalangist party and leftist groups maneuvered for control of a web of hilly streets east of the French Embassy, running down to the sea. Leftist gunmen broke into Myrtom House, a small hotel and restaurant owned by an Austrian resident of the city, smashed furniture and windows and set the place on fire. A fire truck called to the blaze was shot at and it retreated. Three diplomats — a Frenchman, a Dane and a Swede — were briefly detained by gunmen but then released after the intervention of Al Fatah, the main Palestinian guerrilla organization.
Expanded deliveries of arms and munitions by the Soviet Union to Syria and an expected increase in the number of Russian military advisers there are causing concern among Israeli and United States military sources. The acceleration of Soviet arms aid followed the visit to Moscow earlier this month of President Hafez al‐Assad of Syria. After Mr. Assad’s return to Damascus, Major General Mustafa Tlas, the Syrian Defense Minister, remained in the Soviet capital to work out the details of the military assistance program. A key element of that program, the sources said, will be the reinforcement of the Soviet military adviser group. Its strength is now estimated at 3,500 officers, noncommissioned officers and technical experts.
Foreign Minister Ahmed Laraki of Morocco left here today saving that his country and Spain were on the way to agreement that avert a showdown over Spanish Sahara. “Our talks,” Mr. Laraki said at Madrid airport after conferring with Premier Carlos Arias Navarro, “have opened a new chapter in the history of our countries and I can assure you that we are on the road to agreement.” Spanish diplomatic sources said Mr. Laraki took back to Morocco the basis for an agreement to present to King Hassan who has called for a march by 350,000 of his people into the Spanish‐ruled territory. The sources said that Secretary General Waldheim of the United Nations, who is to meet with Hassan tomorrow morning in Marrakesh could convey the King’s reaction Monday night when Mr. Waldheim arrives here.
China accused the United States today of starting the Korean war as part of an American plan to invade China. The charge was made in an editorial published jointly by the official newspapers of the Chinese Communist party and the army. The editorial, transmitted by the official press agency, Hsinhua, and the Peking radio, was published in commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the entry of Chinese troops into the conflict. “When U. S. imperialism launched the war of aggression against Korea in 1950, the editorial said, “it was vainly attempting to vanquish Korea at one stroke and go a step further to invade China. Just as China went to the aid of Korea in that conflict, she is prepared to do the same today if necessary.” The editorial was in part a comment on the Korean debate currently under way in the United Nations.
The Yukon has a hydroelectric potential of 7,500 megawatts, equivalent to 110 million barrels of oil a year or 27 million tons of coal for an indefinite period of time, the Northern Resources Conference has been told. George Smith of McElhanney Offshore Surveying and Engineering Ltd. of Vancouver said that 6,000 megawatts could be produced if the headwaters of the Yukon River were diverted into the Alsek and Tatshenhini rivers, through Alaska and British Columbia to the Pacific in a $12 billion investment. Another 1,500 megawatts would come from the Stewart, Pelly, Frances and Primrose rivers.
Cuba intends to strengthen her links with the Soviet Union, promote detente, improve living standards and encourage economic integration with LatinAmerican and Caribbean countries, according to a Communist party document published here. The policy, to take effect over five years is expected to be approved by the Cuban party’s first congress, scheduled to be held In Havana in December. The document defined Cuba’s foreign policy as “subordinate to the general interests of the victory of socialism. Communism and national liberation.” Cuba would work for detente but oppose imperialism, colonialism and neocolonialism, the party paper said. It also called for dismantling of all “imperialist military bases,” a clear reference to the United States naval base at Guantanamo.
A Bolivian Air Force transport plane crashed at Mocomoco, shortly after takeoff from La Paz, killing all 55 people on board.
The Inter-American Press Association ended its 31st general assembly in Sao Paulo, Brazil, electing a new president from a small town U.S. newspaper and a warning of the “depressing” state of press freedom in the Western Hemisphere. Raymond E. Dix, co-publisher and senior editor of the Wooster, Ohio, Daily Record was elected to the presidency of the international journalist’s group.
The two leading strong men of Ethiopia’s military government, Major Mengistu Haile Mariam and Major Atnafu Abate-have not been seen in public for at least 10 days and may have been overthrown, diplomatic sources in Addis Ababa said. Mariam is first vice chairman and Abate is second vice chairman of the military government.
Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda devalued their currency by about 14 percent today in an effort to further East African exports by making them cheaper to foreign buyers and, at the same time, to curb expensive imports. In simultaneous announcements, the three members of the East African Economic Community said their shillings would no longer be related to the United States dollar — the present rate is 7.14 shillings to a dollar — in international exchanges. Beginning Monday, the announcements said, the currencies would be pegged at 9.66 to the Special Drawing Right, the unit created by the International Monetary Fund, based on the weighted value of 16 major currencies. At the new rate, the three nations’ shillings will be traded at 8.16 to the dollar.
The issue of the political costs of President Ford’s current “party leader” trips has embroiled the Federal Election Commission in a partisan conflict. The bipartisan commission must decide whether the $500,000 the Republican National Committee is providing to finance Mr. Ford’s travels should be charged against the $10 million ceiling imposed by the new campaign spending law.
A possible major confrontation is in prospect in the Senate over the annual defense appropriations bill. The Senate Budget Committee, seeking to set up battle lines for the upcoming Senate debate, informed the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee there was no leeway under congressional budget guidelines for increasing the House-approved defense budget.
Members of the Senate Banking Committee, in a compromise designed to broaden Senate support for federal loan guarantees for New York City, shaped legislation that would reduce and delay income for city bondholders and pensioners. Senator Adlai Stevenson III, the Illinois Democrat who has a key role on the issue, said he had proposed that such a guarantee be conditioned on a restructuring of the city’s debt. Under his plan, holders of city bonds would receive lower interest rates and delayed payments.
The Justice Department has begun a top secret project to seek to resolve the vast legal issues raised by the National Security Agency’s electronic eavesdropping, law enforcement officials disclosed. The “special project” team, the sources said, is faced with sorting out nearly a decade of illegal bugging by the agency as well as trying to shape new legislation to allow some of the agency’s foreign intelligence gathering to proceed within the law. This is said to be the first time that Justice Department lawyers have been fully informed on the security agency’s activities.
Betty Ford said in Cleveland that the “cloud of fear and confusion” must be lifted from the fight for the Equal Rights Amendment because it was vital to change laws that locked women out of the mainstream of opportunity. In addressing the Greater Cleveland Congress of the International Women’s Year, Mrs. Ford said the debate over the amendment “has become too emotional” because of the fears of both men and women. She said its ratification — which would occur if four more states voted for it — will not alter the fabric of the Constitution or force women away from their families.” The First Lady expressed the hope that the amendment could be ratified in 1976 to mark the nation’s 200th birthday.
The U.S. Conference of Mayors said in a 63-page study that the gun lobby had falsely claimed a powerful impact on congressional elections. “Most of the alleged National Rifle Association victories over political foes can be attributed to factors other than the issue of gun controls,” the report said. The conference has been on record since 1972 as favoring the virtual elimination of private handguns.
Vice President Rockefeller has a new official seal — a bold, aggressive eagle — in place of the old seal’s limp-winged bird. Mr. Rockefeller, who has said that the old seal resembled a “wounded quail,” redesigned the coat of arms with President Ford’s approval.
The admiral who is the top-ranking Navy investigator in a Pentagon conflict-of-interest probe was one of nine Navy officers who used a hunting lodge paid for by Northrop Corp., a major defense contractor, a Navy spokesman said. The spokesman said Admiral Harold E. Shear was one of 37 officers from different military branches who had used the Northrop facilities between 1971 and 1974. For his action, Shear “was counseled” by Admiral James L. Holloway III, the chief of naval operations, as were the eight other senior Navy officers, the spokesman said. Northrop is in line to develop fighter planes for the Navy. An aide to Holloway said Shear had had no connection with defense contracting when he used Northrop’s lodge.
Striking policemen and city officials in Oklahoma City narrowed their differences to two “hard issues,” according to union leaders, who predicted a quick agreement if the issues were solved. Sources close to the talks said unresolved issues were longevity pay and educational incentive benefits. Jim Parsons, president of the Fraternal Order of Police, said that if the disagreements could be resolved striking officers could be back on the job by tonight.
Eastern Airlines pilots have offered to increase their flying time to 80 hours a month from 75 at the same pay and might purchase an airplane to lease back to the debt-ridden airline. “It means they’ll be able to get more working hours during a month and put more planes in the air,” said Otto Schick of the Air Line Pilots’ Association. “This whole situation is one big gamble that Colonel Borman is going to… produce an economically sound airline,” Schick said. Company president Frank Borman, a former astronaut, will become chief executive officer of the airline December 16.
A tentative agreement that was to have ended the strike of flight attendants against National Airlines broke down and negotiations were called off. National has been grounded since Labor Day. “A stalemate has developed to such an extent that it appears the current work stoppage will continue indefinitely,” said Usery Jr., director of the Federal Mediation Service. The tentative agreement was reached Thursday.
An expected shortage of natural gas this winter will be partially the result of “scandalous” ineptitude on the part of the Federal Power Commission, according to a member of the House commerce subcommittee on energy and power. Rep. John D. Dingell (D-Michigan) said that despite five years of investigation, the FPC still does not know the amount of gas under contract, the amount being delivered or the amount that can be delivered. Dingell and two other House members, William Brodhead (D-Michigan) and Anthony Moffett (D-Connecticut), also accused the commission of acting as a “fourth branch of government” that refuses to execute. congressional policy in order to build a case for decontrol of natural gas prices.
Emissions from supersonic planes combined with chlorine chemicals pouring into the atmosphere from aerosol cans are destroying the high altitude ozone layer that shields humans from ultraviolet radiation, a U.C. Berkeley scientist said. Dr. Harold S. Johnston, a chemist, warned four years ago that supersonic planes emit nitrogen compounds that erode the ozone layer. He said his latest calculations were based on findings from federally sponsored research conducted during the past three years by many scientists.
Generations of Americans have been riding an economic wave of rising expectations. But, for the first time since public opinion research began measuring such attitudes in 1959, in the last year Americans have experienced a substantial decline in optimism about the future. A survey commissioned by The New York Times showed that inflation, other economic problems and foreboding about the energy crisis have made inroads into Americans’ confidence, expectations and aspirations.
An example of Americans’ disenchantment is a growing public resistance to surveys. Survey takers are deeply concerned about this new coolness to the studies, which have become a key tool of government, business and scholarship and which often shape governmental policy on such matters as housing, unemployment and health care. The problem is likely to have an impact on the 1976 presidential campaign.
Columbia Records releases “Still Crazy After All These Years”, the fourth solo studio album by American singer-songwriter Paul Simon; it features the title track and the hits “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover” and “My Little Town”, and wins 2 Grammy Awards.
The (ABA) Denver Nuggets play their first game at McNichols Sports Arena and beat the St Louis Spirits.
Major League Baseball:
The Reds swap pitcher Joaquin Andujar to Houston for pitcher Carlos Alfonso and Luis Sanchez.
NFL Football:
Speedy Mel Gray caught two touchdown passes and Jim Bakken extended his string of successful field goals to 10 in a row, kicking a pair, as the St. Louis Cardinals defeated the New York Giants, 20–13, Saturday. Gray hauled in a scoring pass from all-purpose back Terry Metcalf on an option play worth 51 yards in the first period, then grabbed a 38-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Jim Hart with 42 minutes left in the game. Bakken, who has yet to miss a field goal try this season, connected on a 37-yarder in the first quarter as the Cardinals built a 10–0 lead. Then he added a 40-yard field goal in the third period. The Giants’ first touchdown came halfway through the final quarter when Craig Morton hit wide receiver Ray Rhodes on a 12-yard pass, climaxing an 83-yard drive. Morton passed 6 yards to Walker Gillette for New York’s other score with 2:03 to play. With 41 seconds to play, Jim Steinke blocked a punt by the Cards’ Jeff West, giving the Giants one last chance. They started on the St. Louis 38 and moved to the 20, but Norm Thompson’s interception with 15 seconds to go saved the victory for the Cards.
St. Louis Cardinals 20, New York Giants 13
Born:
Kevin Landolt, NFL defensive tackle (Jacksonville Jaguars), in Mount Holly, New Jersey.
Eirik Glambek Bøe, Norwegian musician (Kings of Convenience), in Bergen, Norway.
Zadie Smith, British novelist (“White Teeth”; “On Beauty”; “Swing Time”), in Brent, London, England, United Kingdom.
Died:
Frank Puglia, 83, Italian actor (“Black Orchid”, “Jungle Book”).
History Diaries 