This program is 28 minutes long
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(Studio) Thousands of refugees scramble to escape Communist-captured Danang on US sea lift. Many drowned trying to reach evacuation ships; sea lift halted because of Communist shelling. Horror stories of South Vietnam soldiers molesting and killing refugees on evacuation boats recounted.
REPORTER: Walter Cronkite
(Saigon, South Vietnam) Some refugees on boat refuse to disembark at Nha Trang, hoping to receive passage to Saigon, but government limits number of refugees allowed in capital. Nha Trang not considered safe; North Vietnam rptdly. advancing on city.
REPORTER: Bruce Dunning
(Studio) United States agency for international development to begin new evacuation of refugees from Qui Nhon, but unconfirmed reports say city already captured by Communists Civil disorder reported in Nha Trang. Communists threaten Tay Ninh Province on Cambodian border because of proximity to Saigon.
REPORTER: Walter Cronkite
(Saigon, South Vietnam) Govt. troops moving into Tay Ninh to thwart expected Communist offensive. Soldiers charged with defending Tay Ninh part of 25th infantry division; division's commander has strong views about collapse of government forces in central and north provinces. Commander believes strongly in leadership and staying up front with troops. In Bien Hoa, trench being dug in hopes of stopping Communist tanks.
REPORTER: Peter Collins
(Studio) Officials at Pentagon taking another look at South Vietnam's military situation.
REPORTER: Walter Cronkite
(DC) Pentagon figures show refugee situation in South Vietnam worse than previously believed. Breakdown of refugee figures given. [Defense Secretary James SCHLESINGER - predicts further government withdrawals and upcoming Communist offensive on Saigon.] Millions of dollars worth of United States equipment abandoned by South Vietnam troops during retreat.
REPORTER: Ike Pappas
(Studio) Some American dependents in Saigon rptdly. being evacuated from capital. Communist advance prompts United States to remove highly radioactive fuel from American-supplied reactor in Dalat, South Vietnam. Viet Cong offer to hold peace talks with Saigon government; details given.
REPORTER: Walter Cronkite
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(Studio) Cambodia's President Lon Nol leaving cntry., presumably never to return.
REPORTER: Walter Cronkite
(Phnom Penh, Cambodia) Traffic at palace heavy. United States ambassador John Gunther Dean visits President Lon Nol; United States not making effort to keep Lon Nol at top of crumbling republic. In keeping with Buddhist tradition, Lon Nol dines with monks before departing Cambodia. Departure of Lon Nol signals beginning of end of war. Talk of negotiated settlement reported.
REPORTER: Ed Bradley
#239300
(Studio) President Ford ducks reporter's questions with regard to Vietnam situation. Mr. Ford interrupts Easter vacation to visit Elk Hills oil fields.
REPORTER: Walter Cronkite
(Bakersfield, California) President recs. national security messages with regard to South Vietnam. President wants Elk Hills opened for more commercial drilling to help reduce US vulnerability to foreign oil embargo. After visiting oil field, President literally runs from press questions with regard to Vietnam. Aboard Air Force-1, President' spokesperson indicates President believes Hanoi's violations of Paris peace accord and failure of United States Congress to grant more aid caused current situation in South Vietnam.
REPORTER: Phil Jones
#239301
(Studio) Congress debates on Elk Hills expected in month or 2.
REPORTER: Walter Cronkite
(Sacramento, California) President wants to open Elk Hills to public production; opponents' objections outlined. [Representative John MOSS - believes White House has blocked Justice Department's antitrust investigation of Standard Oil Company] Standard would stand to gain greatly if Elk Hills goes to public production. [MOSS - doesn't recommend opening up reserves, at least till antitrust question settled.] Moss points out, under President' plan, very cheaply produced oil could be sold by oil companies at very high prices.
REPORTER: Robert Pierpoint
#239302
(Studio) Supreme Court temporarily skirts intervention in 2 environmental safety cases. Cases involve Reserve Mining Company and workers' exposure to vinyl chloride. In another action, former Attorney General John Mitchell and assistant Attorney General Robert Mardian suspended from practicing law before Supreme Court
REPORTER: Walter Cronkite
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(Studio) President' clemency program for Vietnam war deserters and resisters expires at midnight. Amnesty officials say they're pleased with program; ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) calls program depressing failure.
REPORTER: Walter Cronkite
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(Studio) In Hamilton, Ohio, Mrs. Charity Ruppert and 10 relatives having Easter get-together; all murdered. Mrs. Ruppert's 40 year old son James charged with murders.
REPORTER: Walter Cronkite
(Hamilton, Ohio) Ruppert offers no explanation for killings. [Coroner Dr. Garret BOONE - describes murder scene.] Psychiatric exam. ordered for Ruppert.
REPORTER: Randy Daniels (WCPO-TV film)
#239306
(Studio) FBI reports 17% increase in serious crime in 1974. Attorney General Edward Levy reflects on American method of criminal justice.
REPORTER: Walter Cronkite
(DC) Crime figures for past 4 years outlined; breakdown of `74 figures given. [Chief, Law Enforcement Assistance Admin. Richard VELDE - believes there's positive correlation between crime increase and economy recession.] Convicted criminals at half-way house in Washington, DC believe joblessness is behind crime. [Roy MARSHALL - says job market is such that man unable to provide for family.] [Joe GRIFFIN - says he stole to provide himself with necessities.] Levy believes punishment should be quicker and surer.
REPORTER: Fred Graham
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(Studio) At Sacramento, California, Joseph Remiro and Russell Little, self-proclaimed supporters and members of SLA, go on trial for `73 killing of Oakland's black school superintendent
REPORTER: Walter Cronkite
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(Studio) Farm prices drop 2% in month ending March 15: 5th straight drop in prices.
REPORTER: Walter Cronkite
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(Studio) Fishermen in small boats blockade more than 40 British ports, protesting cheap fish imports; demands outlined.
REPORTER: Walter Cronkite
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(Studio) Several hundred children show up for annual egg-rolling contest on White House lawn. Film shown. President Hayes started egg roll in 1889.
REPORTER: Walter Cronkite
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(Studio) In Katmandu, Nepal, wife and daughter of Sir. Edmund Hillary among 5 killed in plane crash. In 1953, Hillary and guide 1st to climb Mt. Everest.
REPORTER: Walter Cronkite
#239315
(Studio) Eric Sevareid comments on military collapse in South Vietnam.
REPORTER: Walter Cronkite
(DC) In Vietnam, there's tragedy of panic. For 1st time, South army outnumbered by North troops. Final battle for Mekong may not come for some time. Soon, Communists to have complete control of country and South Vietnam to accept it.
REPORTER: Eric Sevareid
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