LETTERS
LETTERS To the Editor Open Letter to President Truman From NATHAN D. SHAPIRO My dear President Truman; 1ENCLOSE herewith for your information, study and attention the Soviet Information...
...I have serious doubts if there has been much progress if measured in terms of material or spiritual values...
...j I KEEPS NEW LEADER AT HAND Prom tDWARD G. BOHLhAAN To Hi* Editor:, ,. , - 1 WISH to take this occasion to offer a belated "thank you" to the person or persons unknown, presumably In your organization, who Introduced me to The New Leader...
...Stalin, as a one-man dictator, decides who shall live and who shall die...
...The balance of the book consists of the glorification of the Soviet ideology...
...Idledale, Colorado...
...Pagea 2> 3, and 4 are devoted to the...
...Has she not learned.that in 1843 Stalin and Hitler were negotiating...
...Thou ahalt not eavesdrop upon thy Master's family or to other talks not concerning thee, but pray God that thy conduct and work satisfies thy Master...
...It is from a Swedish paper and tells of an old Lutheran piayer hook, date 1784...
...This non-reciprocal relationship only encourages Stalin to continue his unilateral practices...
...It gladdened our hearts to learn that wKh the ether members of ibis group she disassociated herself from any tafait or suspicion ef Centra anist ideology...
...recent answers given by Stalin to questions submitted by the President of the United Press...
...But in her column on January t she paraphrased with approval a passage from General Marshall's report en Chin* M. .. he explains that the heps ef the future lies ia the young, less radical member* ?/ tAejfrmmnniet freKp and in the middle-of-theroad less conservative Nationalists...
...Undoubtedly, the Soviet Embassy at Washington has a large mailing list to whom they furnish their proitaganda bulletins several timet) per month without any charge whatsoever snd at a great cost to Russia...
...New York City...
...Misinformation and clever propaganda and our frequent failure to answer, make possible a good deal of the Communist progress in the US...
...In fact, the studies ot Elton Mayo, Roethlisberger and Dickson, a..d recent polling results vitiate your thesis...
...It is my impression, that this is what "liberals" would like to believe, but where is the -evidence...
...The Neue Volksztitang therefore has established a fund out of which subscriptions for German prisoners of wsr are paid...
...He passes upon and controls everything his subjects speak, write, print and read...
...Brooklyn, New York...
...His theatres, movies, schools and press are completely dominated by him...
...HAVE just finished reading Simeon Strunsky's article "The Dialectics of 'Well, Anyhow'"—which, although good, -might have been expanded into something »• much better...
...In this connection may I quote the following statement made by Professor Hans Kohn in an article entitled "This Century of Betrayal" (Commentary, Sept., 1946) : "The most dangerous symptom for the future of civilization is the admiration which even liberal intellectuals hold for liberty's most determined enemies, for their seeming efficiency and their success...
...Moreover, the solution does not rest . wiili ua...
...Just what does she mean by "Communism of the left...
...To them, we are supposed to he starved, enslaved and war mongers...
...Is there anything in this often so unpleasant world that can lift our hearts as much as this demonstration of loyalty and gratitude of a German social democrat...
...I. Falk, of Poland, and B. Clethanowsky, of Belgium.' They will •peak on the aim* and progress of Social Democracy...
...True enough, there is much talk of the "coming depression," and this provides a handy rationalization for those who wish to apologize for labor's greed...
...Osk Ridge, Tenn...
...RELIEF DONATIONS TAX-EXEMPT • Robert Delson, counsel ami member of the Administrative Committee of the International Solidarity Committee, announced that contributions to the ISC are tax exempt...
...And what, pray, could she have meant by "democracy of the center...
...It is therefore moat important that we be permitted to reach the Russian people through free dissemination of information and a tree exchange of students, newspapers, books and periodicals, and even by fraternizing with them...
...Eleanor Roosevelt and Communism...
...Until we are permitted to freely distribute similar literature among the Russian people, it makes no sense to permit Stalin to send his propaganda into our homes and schools...
...I hsve been on their mailing list for several years...
...The societal cleavage between Communism and democracy becomes more and more obvious politically, economically and socially...
...Further, you wouldn't have a difficult time rebutting the "reactionary" contention that it Is to the interest of most labor leadera to spread the gospel of insecurity...
...Dialectics of "Well, Anyhow" From M. A. MeKAVTTT To the Editor...
...M. SomerhauseT, of Belgium...
...They must think that we are morons to permit such a one-sided arrangement...
...who shall work, where, when, at what wages and during what hours...
...There is quite a ehange, but tne servant is still supposed to be humble, patient and a conscientious worker, willing to eagerly do his Master's bidding...
...It may tear away the "anyhow" retort once and forever...
...for Russian withdrawal from the war epon the payment of a price by Hitler...
...Davleii < "P...
...Santa Barbara, Calif...
...It is better to have the lot of a servant and be humble than to wreck oneself with big words and to be a relative of the devil...
...Its survival, and our right to its survival, are made dependent upon the solution of many problems that by their nature are insoluble except in a Utopia, or allow only a slow and gradual amelioration by patient and sustained effort...
...Thia leaves no doubt that she still harbors the illusion thst there are more radical and In* radical Communists— that there are good Communists and bad Communists—and that it is possible for democrats to work advantageously with the good Communists...
...This was fine...
...Heroic Service e from FRANK X. LEY DEN To the Editor: PrXtMIT me to say that I think your paper—almost alone in the country—haa .illuminated and inaisted upon evaluating the most crucial issue of our time, that is the fearful deal of the Communist conspiracy...
...One ef the German prisoners ef war, Alfona Seinrau, did receive this German social democratic newspaper and, having been released and returned to Germany, telle the paper in a letter how much thia paper contributed to their morale...
...You have done an heroic service for the person capable of appreciating your work...
...Advice to a Servant: Blessed be the servant who does not idle his time away, who gees about his buslnesa quietly, acts like a deaf mute, who is meek, who is not shrewd, who patiently endures scorn, who is tnnoecnt of wordly affair* that de net eeneem him, who is not vain, loves solitude, eats sparingly, who is an tmbiliou* worker, modest in habita, thankful to God...
...The'Soviet Union, at everybody who has the courage to fact the fact knows, is inn by a dictatorship as absolute as auu other dictatorship in the world...
...Please get one of your men to work on the subject...
...Translated, in part, it reads: "Evening Prayer for s Servant: I thank Thee, Lord, that Thou hast given me health and strength during this dsy, so that' I teas obit to serve wty Master ssUsfacterily, and I pray Thee, Oh God, that Thou alloweat Thy angels to hover over me and give me restful sleep, so that I may awaken with renewed strength ta begin a new dag ef service te my Matter...
...Washington, D. C. A True Comrade From GEHHAHT H. SkfGER Editor, Neue Volkszeitung GERMAN prisoners ef war, still being held prisoners in French and English camps, some of them in the Middle East, can not—because of legal obstacles— subscribe to and pay for the Ntue Volktzeitung which they like to read...
...I don't imagine (you will agree with most of the above, but, to return to my essential point, where ia this "scientific evidence" of the worker's insecurity...
...And then in her column of January 11 Mrs...
...Pages 11, 12, and 13 claim that "The Soviet Democracy is a Higher Type of Democracy," "The Soviet System, a System of Trite Popular Government," is discussed in Pages 14 and 15...
...This speech was evidently sent to the people on the mailing list of the Russian Embassy...
...I should be very interested ' in seeing the studies you have in mind...
...The war of political ideas takes place daily in council chambers, offices and streets all over the world...
...1 know that the American people have been thoroughly 'hoodwinked—even the great diplomat Welles—over the "progress" made in the USSR over the old days...
...There could be no better method of convincing the Russians that we are free, that our'.% standard of living Is not so bad, and that wc are their friends and that we do not want any of their lands or property...
...Factory work is dull, divorced from the creation of a product...
...However, he is not satisfied with merely saying "Thank You...
...This statement was made by Franklin l).[ Roosevelt on February lOtJ, 1940...
...And from there on we can proceed to argue reasonably on a basis of the evidence...
...I compared my mother's prayer hook, dated I860, revised 1890, with the above...
...of the men sampled felt that their "opportunities to succeed" were better than their fathers...
...This process may be checked by the desire of peace fomented by the horrors of World War II, or the realization that World War III will bring nightmares...
...Roosevelt comments on Louis Fisher's remark at the ADA conference —that Communism and* Fascism are similar and have in certain areas operated as mutually complementary forces —and waxed sentimental ever the fact that Russia fought alongside the democracies...
...We are not heading In that direction...
...Many of the statements contained in the Russian bulletins are misleading or absolutely untrue...
...Like other calamities, it ia something we can only imagine happening to the other fellow...
...The Goal: Freedom From ALEXANDER TRBOVICH To the Editor: Our era does not offer peace...
...It is undoubtedly to Sovietize the world and help our cream puff philosophers, "Stalin Democrats" and Park Avenue Communists in their plans to swap our democracy for a Russian dictatorship...
...The American Credo may be divorced from reality, but it is still alive...
...We may talk about peace, earnestly want it, and perhaps some of us will fight for it...
...I have found It a very In. terestlng and informative organ on current affairs which I would like to keep at.hand In the indefinite, disturbing future...
...Proof...
...Her final judgment Is rendered in this statement: "I think we can see the possibility of improving cooperation between the Communism of the left and the democracy of the center...
...Men are insecure today largely because they have no wejl-defined status...
...Is there another variety of Commonism...
...You will notice that the expensive and very attractive looking bulletin contains thirty-two pages...
...Kvsrybody welcome...
...Our former Georgia "chain gangs" are picnics compared to the Stalin labor ramps or concentration camps where millions of Russians have been sent just because they did not fully agree with Stalin on some of his economic or political policies...
...Whst you say immediately following this implies that the Insecurity is economic...
...There was no charge for it...
...and who shall go to school and for what period...
...i ¦ i i~ I ? J- ^ Leisure for most men fs barren, fruitless.* The very freedom of the American worker has added to his insecurity, although this ia something we shouldn't ssy too loudly...
...Rocoptlon t* Noted luroptaa StM Democrats m Wednesday, February 12 • A reception will be fiven (< • Croup of noted European Social Democrat* and labor leaders here on various errands at a man' mooting by tho Social ^Democratic Federation and tho Jewish Soclaliat Verband at the Ilotel Capitol, Sth Are...
...350— Tht Terror—Purge—To a ' democratic mind, It appears to be inevitable that the tyranny over life and liberty exercised by tho secret police, who reach down into all elaaipa of society and whisk men away from family and friends without any protection against possible injustice, must overthrow any regime in the long run...
...As the struggle progresses, social forces veer away from peace...
...Bat what we need is a series of authoritative articles to prove that Russia and her neighbora are net better off—particularly in material thinga, though the purauit of material \ thing...
...And 62% ot the men sampled felt that their sons would have better opportunities to succeed than they have had...
...Joseph E. Dayles, in his Mission to Moblow revised 1943 edition, page 852, said: "The government is a dictatorship •not "of the prolttariat," at professed, but "over tht proletariat...
...From &WYNNE NETTLE* To tht Editor: YoUR editorial of Jan...
...consequently I am enclosing a check for another 7ear'i subscription...
...But at the same time that people talk of the slump to come, it is apparent that it has no reality for them...
...Out of the hard-earned money he received aa accumulated wages he sends to the Neue Volkszeitung a check of $57.60 for this fund, so that other prisoners of war can enjoy the paper as he did...
...1ENCLOSE herewith for your information, study and attention the Soviet Information Bulletin, dated November 6, 194C, iesued by the Russian Embassy at Washington, D. C. This copy was mailed to me and a great many other Americans without any charge whatsoever...
...It is located at 303 Fourth Avenue, New York City...
...Although I am not a very keen student of history, I am keen on what thinking does to people—especially as to whether a particular kind of thinking produces more and better food, shelter and clothing—as well as "culture"—than another kind of thinking...
...The end may come at predicted by Joseph E, Davies at page 350 of his Mission to Moscow...
...Councilman Louis P. Goldberg will bo chairman...
...Whither Industrial Insecurity...
...There are no people as misinformed, uninformed, isolated and walled in as the Russians...
...The astonishing ability of the mind to deceive itself and escape fti responsibilities la revealed in the brilliant array of excuses and subterfuges...
...Someone aheuld tell her that if these negotiations had not failed (because Hitler did not want to come across with the price demanded by Stalin), our brave Russian ally would have deserted the democrstic csuse...
...so I took the book out and reread ft...
...It is fowj>pletely dominated by one men...
...None of this is intended to deny the existence of insecurity, but what anxious feelings exist are not so immediately economic as you imply...
...Admls(Ion is free...
...Paul Olberr, of Sweden...
...Said Mr...
...Sb it is with the most popular slogan: 'unemployment.' As if the totalitarian . regimes had solved that problem otherwise than by gigantic preparations for war or defense, 'guns instead of butter,' and with a standard of living that the 'unemployed' in a eapitalistie society would refect...
...J. L. A. Washington, D. C. Operetta* From VIOLA ALIRICHTSf N Ta tha Editorx ; ,'" "~f'' 'OpERATIOH DIXIE- AND TH1 CHURCHES," printed January *, re* minded me of a dipping In one of my scrapbooks...
...The boasts of totalitarian regimes are accepted uncritically at face value...
...people were completely at the mercy of the ruling group," it was the author's conviction that "under Communism it would seem poeaible that just' the opposite might take place...
...18 argues that "sociologists, economists and psychologists" hsve published scientific studies demonstrating that "the discontent which leads to strikes results from a sense of insecurity...
...But the high point of this column is the statement that while "under Hitler...
...Millions of Russians were purged and "liquidated" for political reasons...
...I often see mention of The New Leader In newspaper editorials -or columns...
...To compete with totalitarian claims, immense demands are put upon free'society, which no society can meet...
...is the basis of her philosophy...
...which, of course, indicates your contribution to the cause of realism and truth is working In important places...
...Americans are getting tired of being denied the most elementary rights in Russia, while the Stalin officials enjoy our hospitality and use this hospitality to strengthen the Communist Party, now active in every city in the U.S...
...I trust that before long we will become realistic and sensible and deny to the Russian' Embassy In Washington every right that has been denied to us In Soviet Russia...
...I know of no proof that the strikes of the past years have been causally related to a sense of economic insecurity...
...The ISC is a volunteer committee which uses its funds for the aid of anti-Fascists overseas...
...That becomes obvioua as demonstrated by the large number of peace organizations and the fairly strong popular support given to the United Nations...
...Pages 5 to 10 speak of the great October Revolution of the Communists...
...they have lost a sense of worth...
...In any event, what is the purpose of this Russian propaganda in the United States and in all other countries on this globe...
...As the signs of the struggle run deeper, the individual and mass psychology of struggle gathera momentum...
...The superficial manifestations may vary in intensity, but the underlying conflict steadily grows deeper...
...Pages 18 and 19 claim that USSR is the champion of email nations...
...All international policies, pacts, treaties and declarations of war are made and controlled by Stalin, whose power is greater than the Czars', and whose term of office is as unlimited as his power...
...1 - t . U ike Editor: On January 4 Eleanor Roosevelt Hi all day and lent her prestige and bar gift far organization te the newly founded Americana for Democratic Action...
...P. Schrager, of Franco...
...See the Fortune ' poll results reported in the , January, 1947, issue-of that magazine...
...Almost 70...
...Has she forgotten how the Communists picketed the White House end attacked her husband as a warmonger for inaugurating the lend-lease program...
...and Wth Street, Now York City, on Wednesday, February 12th, S p. m. These rapreicntatlrei of the International Socialist and I-sW movement are: Haakon Lie, of Norway...
...Does she intend to convey the notion that there are other brands of democracy of which Soviet democracy may be one...
...I also enclose the text of a speech delivered by A. Y. Vyshinksky at the General Assembly of the United Nations and which I received recently...
...Politics and economics, in turn, affect the millions of society...
...Ia it possible that she has forgotten the fortuitous circumstance that led Russia to tight en our side...
Vol. 30 • February 1947 • No. 6
