J K Galbraith Blasts LBJ's Asian Policy, Calls for Peace Slate

The United States should stop "seeking to save the reputation of those who made the mistakes" in Vietnam, and should instead actively work for peace, John K. Galbraith, Paul M. Warburg Professor of Economics and chairman of the Americans for Democratic Action, said last night.

In his first public speech at Harvard since assuming the ADA post, Galbraith told an audience of Harvard-Radcliffe Young Democrats at Burr Hall that they should work to elect a slate of peace delegates to next summer's Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

Asking for what he called a "peace caucus" at the convention, Galbraith echoed what he had previously said about political action against the war. He called third parties "lost causes," adding, "I like to be with the side that wins."

The giant of liberal spokesman also asked his listeners to support those Democratic Senators who have "consistently and not always easily spoken out against the war." He said that such political activity would have an effect on foreign policy in "keeping the alternative left open."

"I believe that the Democratic party will pay heavily for its own mistaken foreign policy." Galbraith said. "We must work to keep the liberal thinking in front of the people," he continued.

Galbraith noted that "up 'til very recently, all critics of the war were thought to be eccentrics." But now, he said, the doubts the war "go deeply into the Administration itself."

The former ambassador to India called the immediate cessation of all hostilities against North Vietnam the "Obvious first step" in ending the conflict If the United States, now thought of as opposing the nationalist spirit that "has imbedded itself in our opponents," assumed a defensive role in Vietnam, the war could eventually be brought to a close, Galbraith said