from a special correspondent
On the eve of the N.A.L.S.0. annual conference, Chris Arthur, the chairman of Labour's student organisation, wrote to Mr. Wilson about Vietnam. The letter began with an appeal for Mr. Wilson to “adopt an independent line, and a socialist one, in foreign policy and join in the protests against the methods of U.S. reaction,” The Government is widely understood to have abandoned its principles and capitulated to the U.S. on this issue, the letter continues. This is having a disastrous effect on Labour Party morale, it is pointed out.
The letter is very critical of "The purely metaphysical distinction" Mr, Wilson tries "to draw between a state of civil war before the extension of U.S. aggression, and a qualitative -increase in Hanoi assistance". This makes Mr. Wilson looks ridiculous and strengthens the impression that he is appeasing U.S. imperialism in South East Asia, the letter goes on, The .letter ends: "The whole movement would welcome a return to a fighting socialist line and an end to this bootlicking,"
A copy of the letter was also sent to William Warbey,