Interview With a Paraguayan Exile ‘They Threw Me, Bleeding, Into a Dungeon’ By Carol Weston licemen in civilian clothes began Liberación Nacional w ere and me. She is a well-known literary was one of eleven political prison­ to strike me with pistols. They where they lived. figure in Latin America and that ers. Among us were professors MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay — The fired two shots at my head, Q. How was your wife treated? is why they did not dare kill her. Antonio Maidana and Julio Rojas following is an interview with a wounding me on the eyebrow and A. My wife was also arrested In the meantime — taking ad­ — leaders of the teachers union. lawyer from Asunción, Paraguay, on the head. Then they took me and jailed in another part of the vantage of a moment when the There also were accountants, now living in exile. to a police station where I was police station. She immediately police became careless— I was able workers and students. Many of Question. Why were you ex­ beaten with fists and kicked. In began a hunger strike and she to send my bloodstained clothes them were suffering from dy­ pelled from Paraguay? the police station they threw me, also refused to drink any water to my family. My family present­ sentery and asthma. A ll of us ate Answer. I was arrested, tortured bleeding, into a dungeon and then in order to save my life and to ed my clothes to a court. Then and slept on the floor. We were and, after seven months of im­ threw two shovelsful of excre­ secure my freedom. Three days the court ordered an investigation kept incommunicado in a dark prisonment, I was expelled to A r­ ment on me. Later they tied my later, when she was very weak, of the forceful entering of my and narrow dungeon and we could gentina because I formed part of hands and beat me with sabers. the chief investigator, Erasmo home, of my unlawful arrest and not go out into the fresh air or the Frente Unido de Liberación After that I was thrown into a Candía, beat her with his fists. of the mistreatment of my per­ sunlight. The two professors are N acional [United Front of Nation­ dungeon of the secret police which This same Candía was a dealer son. The police arrested the de­ still in jail. They have been there al Liberation], which is fighting was crawling w ith roaches, spiders in narcotics. My wife, badly fense lawyer and paid no atten­ four years now despite a court for the overthrow of the Stroess- and rats. The dungeon was so wounded, was thrown into the tion to the investigation. They ruling ordering their release. Law ner dictatorship and for the es­ narrow that it was impossible to Argentine Chaco. threatened to arrest the judge. 294 authorizes sentences of up to tablishment of a democratic gov­ stand up. I was continuously Q. And didn’t she know how Q. How long were you in the ten years for political crimes. The ernm ent. questioned and threatened with you were faring? jail? judge, who ordered the release of Q. How were you tortured? tortures. I was asked who the A. She knew they were tortur­ A. I Was in jail seven months Antonio Maidana and Julio Rojas, A. I resisted arrest and two po- leaders of the Frente Unido de ing me and that they could kill in all. In one of the prisons I (Continued on Page 2) Strike Wave Spurs N.Y. Hospital Union THE Political Opposition In New Walkout for To Franco Regime Bargaining Rights By Hedda Grant By Fred Halstead Both left and right-wing op­ N E W Y O R K , June 20 — W h ile MILITANT ponents of the Franco regime in the wealthy businessmen and poli­ Published in the Interests of the Working People Spain have been spurred to in­ ticians who sit on the board of creased activity by the strike trustees of the Beth-El Hospital wave of the last nine weeks. The Vol. 26 - No. 26 Monday, June 25, 1962 Price 10c in Brooklyn are still trying to June 21 issue of R e po rte r m aga­ break the strike of their non-pro- zine claim s th a t 17,000 s trik e rs are fessional employees, workers at s till h o ld in g out w h ile 100,000 another hospital in the city have have returned to work. However, struck on the same issue — union the lingering quality of the strikes recognition. Publishers Invite to Worthy has caused serious disagreements Picketing began June 18 at the on tactics among Franco’s min­ Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat isters and has led Franco into a hospital for recognition of Local Sharp Slap at Att’y General new tough policy, aimed at curb­ 1199 o f the D ru g and H o sp ita l ing possible opposition leaders. Em ployes U nion. T he 150 nurse’s Wendell Phillips In a direct and unmistakable A right-wing group of Spanish aides, porters, dietary and clean­ slap at Attorney General Robert oppositionists met in Munich dur­ ing workers there — almost all of F. Kennedy, the Negro Newspaper ing the first week of June. Over them Negroes and Puerto Ricans 100 attended, including G il Robles, Publishers Association (NNPA) Phillips Case Wins — now average $47.00 a week in has invited foreign correspondent head of the Christian Democratic wages. Movement, a former minister of William Worthy to addresss its “The money is little enough,” war, Franco supporter, monarch­ annual meeting on Saturday said one picket on the line today, ist, fascist and conservative; right- Support of Leading m orn ing , June 23, in B altim ore. “but the real issue is just plain wing Socialist Party leader Ru­ union recognition. We work hard The President’s brother will dolfo Llopis, who created quite a and don’t get any rest and get speak at the same conference on Academic Figures stir by shaking hands with Robles; pushed around and we don’t have the previous evening, Friday, Joaquin Satrustegui, leader of the LOS ANGELES, June 14 — any rights or dignity at all in June 22. Spanish Union, a group dedicated Over 75 academic figures from 17 there. That’s why we voted to The Attorney General is re­ to the restoration of Don Juan to Southern California colleges and s trik e .” sponsible for the criminal indict­ the throne; Dr. Jesus Prados universities have become spon­ Representatives of the city’s ment of Worthy for returning to Arrarte, a Republican with mon­ sors of the Wendell Phillips Aca­ labor movement and the manage­ his country of birth last October archist leanings, who heads demic Freedom Committee in the ment of the city’s 45 non-profit 10 “without a valid passport.” Spain’s leading private bank; and past ten days in response to a let­ hospitals met June 19 to discuss When Robert Kennedy appears at also representatives of the Basque ter signed by Dr. Linus Pauling, the strike at Manhattan Eye as the conference to speak, he will and Catalan separatist movements. Attorneys A. L. W irin and Robert well as the three-week-old walk­ be “greeted” by Negro and white They reportedly agreed on joining W. Kenny, and Professors John out at Beth-El. So far, the city’s pickets protesting the novel in­ forces to oppose the Franco re­ Caughey, Kurt Bergel and Alfred top labor officials have been si­ dictment as an attempted inter­ William Worthy gime. Nicols. lent on the Beth-El strike, but ference with freedom of the press On their return to Spain on New supporters in California of pressure for action is building up. and as an act of racial discrimina­ June 9, Robles, Satrustegui and the civil-liberties case, which in­ Twenty-four young persons, aboard a regular daily flight of tion against a Negro newsman. Arrarte were arrested and offered volves the’ right of a welding in­ mostly college students, were ar­ Pan American World Airways. None of the numerous white cit­ the choice of forced residence structor at Fullerton Junior Col­ rested June 5 for a sitdown in the izens who have come home “ w ith­ Judge Dyer reserved decision (banishment to a remote section lege to hold minority political (Continued on Pago 3) out a valid passport” has ever in order to study the laws and of Spain and constant surveil­ views and not to be an informer, been indicted. ascertain if he has the legal au­ lance) or self-exile. Robles and include Hallock Hoffman, Arthur W illiam Worthy, correspondent thority to transfer the case out of Arrarte chose exile. At the same Carstens and Irving Howe. First for the Baltimore Afro-American, (Continued on Page 2) (Continued on Page 2) responses supporting the case Baltimore Law Bars pleaded “not guilty” in Miami on from outside California include F rid a y , June 15, in U n ite d States Dr. Edward U. Condon, past presi­ Restaurant Jim Crow jiiiitiiiiiiiiiiiiii 8-Page Militant Fund im iiiiitiiiim m iiiiiim iim m m iiiim iiiiiim iiiim iim iiiiiiiiiiiiii dent of the American Association District Court. On April 24 Worthy BALTIMORE — On June 8 the had been indicted in Miami for for the Advancement of Science, mayor signed a measure making re-entering his native land from and Harvard Professor Reginald this the first Southern city to bar Isaacs. Cuba last October 10. The news­ We Made It—With a Bit to Spare! racial discrimination in restau­ m an lo st his passport in 1957 as Wendell Phillips was first ques­ By Marvel Scholl rants. The measure does not cover a result of his trip to China in tioned and later fired under Cal­ bars, cocktail lounges or restau­ F u n d Drive Director ifornia’s Dilworth Act. He de­ defiance of a State Department rants, 50 per cent of whose total travel barí. We made it! As you can see printing the truth, to report on manded the hearing be public and receipts come from liquor sales. Following W orthy’s arraignment from the scoreboard on page 3 world and national events which answered questions freely, stating Enforcement of the equal public that he had previously been a Friday before Judge David W. we not only made it but went the daily papers often exclude en­ accommodations ordinance is en­ Dyer, defense attorney W illiam M. over the top by one per cent! tirely from their columns, and to member of the Communist Party trusted to a commission which Kunstler of New York argued in One per cent may seem like a serve as an educator for a newly and is at present a member of will endeavor to negotiate all behalf of a motion to transfer very small amount to boast about awakening generation of the the Socialist Workers Party and a complaints, going into court only holder of socialist and democratic the case from Miami to either but the truth is that this little one youth. if complaints continue and the beliefs. He refused, however, to Washington or New York. per cent is enough to pay for a I would like to take this oppor­ restaurant proprietors are recal­ name past or present political as­ Kunstler contended that Worthy tunity to thank, once again, all c itra n t. part of one issue of the new 8- sociates. could not obtain a fair trial in those readers whose contributions The restaurant owners’ associa­ page paper. So, as some wag has The letter to academic figures, Miami because of the presence of said, “ It ain’t hay!” put The General up there third tion is shrieking that their right Cuban counter-revolutionaries and signed by Dr. Pauling, W irin and to eject “undesirables” has been This fund, the largest we have from the top. This is the first time others, states: “While we do not the hostile atmosphere generated raised since 1948, succeeded fo r in our history of fund raising that infringed and that people will by their presence and political take a position in favor of or flock outside the city limits to eat two basic reasons: (1) the time this category has fulfilled or over­ activities. The lawyer also main­ against any political point of segregated hamburgers. fo r The Militant to expand is subscribed its quota. Significantly, tained that W orthy’s life would be view, in our opinion the main The weaknesses of the new right; (2) hard work on the part almost $400 of the $599 came in in danger if he were forced to problem presented by this case is ordinance are obvious. Nonethe­ ones, twos, fives and sometimes stand trial in Miami. of everyone. Phillips’ position that he should less, the Solid South has cracked ten dollar bills. A government prosecutor told Its readers have proven by their not be compelled to become an in­ a little. Now the State Depart­ Much of it came from Social the court that the trial should be generous contributions, often at former, even as to persons with ment has another “safe” city for held in Miami because the “crime” great personal sacrifice, that they Security pensioners, responding to whom he may be in political op­ African diplomats motoring be­ po sitio n.” of re-entry was committed at think it is time for The Militant an appeal to help provide the tween Washington and New York Miami International Airport when to expand. The Militant s ta ff ac­ means of educating the youth. The letter concludes: “It is our — th a t is as long as th e y ju s t get Worthy flew there from Havana cepts this mandate to continue (Continued on Page 2) (Continued on Page 2) hungry and not thirsty. P a ge T w o THE MILITANT Monday, June 25, 1962 Arizona Teachers Fight ‘Loyalty’ Oath ... Interview With Paraguayan Exile (Continued from Page 1) all the people and it w ill have to By Peter Allan trol Act of 1961 requires a loyalty the overthrow by force or violence was removed from the bench and fall as a result of the united strug­ Three teachers who challenged oath of all public employees and of the government of the State of these people are still kept incom­ gle of those sectors which are Arizona or any of its political sub­ the state’s recent loyalty oath law officials, most of whom have al­ municado. They are not even al­ fighting in the cities and in the d ivisio n s . . .” are continuing to teach without ready taken such oaths. The par­ lowed to read. countryside. pay in the schools of Tucson, ticularly odious feature of the The Act doesn’t specify what Q. What happened to you after [We are not printing the name Arizona. Their salaries were cut new oath is a “disclaimer” section those “successor” and “sub­ that? of the Paraguayan who gave the off for declining to sign the new saying that the signers cannot be, ordinate” organizations are and above interview. Similarly we A . I was transferred to a jail oath, but they refuse to give up remain, or become members of so opens the door wide to arbitra­ shall not give the names of sev­ where criminals, thieves and other the jobs, for which they are well the “Communist Party of the ry persecution and intimidation eral other Paraguayans whose in­ delinquents are kept. There I was qualified, in order to strengthen United States or its successors or of a broad range of groups. terviews we shall soon print. The still kept incommunicado and the their legal rights in the coming any of its subordinate organiza­ Another section of the Act de­ M ilita n t has their names but guards wanted to force me to do c o u rt cases. tions or any other organization fines as “ sedition,” membership in wishes to protect these people, liv ­ hard labor. I refused to do it and The Arizona Communist Con- having, for one of its purposes, the Communist Party, “or its suc­ ing in precarious exile, from per­ as a result they threatened to cessors, or . . . its subordinate secution by the Committee on transfer me to the concentration organizations,” with penalties of Security Against the Subversive camp at Tacumbú where work in up to $20,000 fines and 20 years Action of International Commu­ the quarries is carried on. Later ...Negro Publishers to Hear Worthy in ja il. nism . the judge ordered my release. A test case on the “disclaimer” The witch-hunt committee bear­ (Continued from Page 1) 22 meeting because he w ill not Once again the police did not obey oath filed by a Tucson teacher, ing that long-winded and hypo­ Miami. He asked the local prose­ cross the picket line protesting the court’s order and they trans­ Mrs. Barbara Elfbrandt, is now critical name was set up at the cutor to find out why Mrs. Alta W orthy’s prosecution. Other pub­ ferred me to another jail where last Punta del Este Conference as Beattie, whom the Department of lishers have privately urged Louis before the state supreme court there were four political prison­ and w ill be appealed to the high­ a corollary to the exclusion of Justice in Washington has as­ Martin, vice-chairman of the ers: a well-known painter, Alber­ est federal bench if necessary. Cuba from the OAS and its crea­ signed to handle the prosecution, Democratic National Committee, to to Barrett, two students and a tion was similarly brought about Young Mrs. Elfbrandt is a jun­ wants to travel down to Miami intervene with the Attorney Gen­ worker. There, too, we were not by U.S. pressure and bribes. Not ior high school teacher who, as a for the trial. The judge pointed eral in an effort to persuade him allowed to leave the cell. We had only does General Stroessner, the to drop the unconstitutional prose­ Quaker, personally opposes such out that the trial could be held in to carry out our physiological Paraguayan dictator, have a rep­ cution. oaths, although she has not re­ Mrs. Beattie’s home city of Wash­ functions right there in the cell. resentative on that committee, W ithin the publishers’ associa­ fused to sign the simple affirma­ ington at greater convenience to We protested against this unbear­ whose task includes, among other tion, m ilitant members are exert­ tive loyalty oath required of all herself and also to the defendant, able situation. Then our hands things, compiling a continent-wide teachers. Quakers have a long his­ who lives in New York. ing mounting pressure to with­ were tied and we were beaten political proscription list, but its draw and cancel the months-old tory of opposition to sworn dec­ Mrs. Beattie, apparently so con­ with sabers. We went on a hunger whole composition represents the invitation to Robert Kennedy. If la ratio ns. fident that the judge would rule strike and addressed a letter to most sinister elements in Latin “I do not think that taking immediately against Worthy, had the invitation is withdrawn, the the public at large asking for their A m erica. oaths makes people loyal,” said not bothered to journey to Miami worldwide embarrassment to the solidarity. Within six days we Speaking of this committee as Kennedy administration would be Mrs. Elfbrandt in an interview for Friday's arraignment. Two were expelled to Argentina. We the “International of Swords” and great, and the political conse­ w ith the Tucson Daily Citizen days earlier her superior, Attor­ were in a very weakened condi­ of the popular hostility it is evok­ quences among Negro voters (June 6, 1961). Her lawyer, W. ney General Robert F. Kennedy, tion. ing, Prof. Ronald Hilton, editor would be serious. Edward Morgan, contends that the had rejected a written request by Q. What happened to you at the of the Hispanic American Report. The invitation extended to oath, along with other sections of Worthy and his attorney for pro­ frontier? comments (May, 1962): “Had this tection in Miami by FBI agents or W orthy this past week is especial­ the Act, “is unconstitutional pri­ A . We were helped by the exiled committee consisted of moderate federal marshals. ly significant because the Negro m arily because it violates the B ill Paraguayans who live along the civilians of high repute, it might The Department of Justice publishers tend to be quite con­ of Rights of both the federal and frontier. From that moment we have enjoyed international pres­ maintained that the protection of servative, and usually seek to re­ state constitutions in attempting have become part of the move­ tige. It is made up instead of the defendant and his attorney main on friendly terms with every to convict a person and impose a ment formed by all prisoners from army officers (with the possible from violence in Miami was a incumbent adm inistration in penalty without a trial.” Paraguay against the Stroessner exception of the Costa Rican del­ matter for the local city and coun­ Washington, whether Democratic The Arizona Communist Con­ dictatorship which is responsible egate) — E d i t o r .] ty authorities, even though many or Republican. As owners of pro­ trol Act of 1961 was passed un­ for the murder of campesinos and of the local police there are fit-m aking businesses, they share animously by a panicky state patriots and for the regime of known to double as well-paid many of the political and eco­ legislature, whose liberal members terror which reigns in our home­ bodyguards for Batistianos and nomic views of white publishers ducked for cover during a red­ land. The dictatorship is hated by ...Spanish Struggle other wealthy counter-revolution­ who, of course, are much wealth­ baiting crusade. Arizona was al­ (Continued from Page 1) aries. ier and wield enormously greater ready considered secure as a bas­ It has been learned that one in­ political power, locally and na­ tion against communism through time, a general decree was put vited guest of the Negro News­ tio n a lly . the unflagging efforts of its rau­ Wendell Phillips Case into effect banning all free travel cous contribution to the U.S. Sen­ ... paper Publishers Association has But the indictment of Worthy within Spain and giving the gov­ on a flimsy charge is such an ate, Barry Goldwater. However, (Continued from Page 1) informed his colleagues by letter ernment the right to assign forced that he w ill not attend the June obvious attempt at intimidation supporters of the Senator mounted opinion that this case may result that the Negro publishers are dem­ a spectacular “anti-red” campaign in an outstanding court victory residence to “ anyone suspected of onstrating considerable solidarity last year, featuring “Schools of establishing the right not to in­ hostile activities.” 8-Page Militant Fund and are rallying to his support. Anti-Communism” and touring form as a significant principle of Arrests were stepped up and ... For the past two years the globe­ “experts” like Birchite leader constitutional law.” an AP dispatch from Barcelona on (Continued from Page 1) trotting newsman has vexed Wash­ Robert Welch and Dr. Fred At issue in court on Sept. 5 Many letters made the point that ington by telling his readers that Schw artz. w ill be the legality of the Fuller­ June 15 reported the sentencing no socialist, no matter what his “just 90 miles off our shores” lies Resistance to the Act is cur­ ton Junior College board’s firing of eight university students by age, could feel he had done his the island of Cuba where racial rently gaining ground. Many of Phillips. He w ill be represent­ a military court on charges of prominent citizens, including Rev. full share until he had provided equality became overnight a liv­ ed by Attorney Marshall Ross and “rebellion.” The controlled Span­ ing reality. J. C. Fowler, an Episcopalian a successor, had made sure that by A. L. Wirin, as a representa­ ish press headlined a minor bomb­ minister and a member of the some would pick up the cudgels Even propertied Negroes who tive of the American Civil Lib­ ing, stressing violence and Com­ Mayor’s Human Relations Com­ the oldster has had to lay down. do not like the economic reforms erties Union. Both sides state munist plots to remind the Span­ of the Cuban revolution feel at­ mittee in Tucson, have refused to I want to close out this fund they plan to appeal an unfavor­ ish people of the terrors of the tracted to Premier Fidel Castro sign the oath. campaign on another note. We able verdict. Civil War. The Munich meeting for having established a model to The “Emergency Committee to have raised the necessary money The Academic Freedom Com­ was red-baited too. Ironically, the which civil-rights fighters in the Defend Liberties of Arizona Pub­ mittee estimates that it w ill cost Spanish Communist party and to expand the paper to eight United States can aspire. lic Employees” is carrying on the from $7,000 to $10,000 to take the other leftist groups were barred pages. Now we have to keep it Supporters of the Negro cause legal fight against the vicious new case to (he California Supreme from the Munich “united front” that way. A steady flow of Truth in other countries are organizing law and requires funds for that Court. It is appealing for dona­ meeting by its organizers. Dollars will make that possible. purpose. Additionally, a “Con­ protests to coincide with the June tions to cover this cost. The Militant dedicates itself to 21-23 conference of publishers in science Fund” has been set up In a letter in the June 18 N ew the task for which it is published: Baltimore. Demonstrations will recently to aid those who are A complete transcript of Phil­ York Times, Rev. Joseph F. Thorn- making this a socialist world of take place outside U.S. embassies financially victimized, including lips original hearing is available ing, Associate editor of W o rld A f ­ peace, plenty and security for all! and consulates, and delegations the three teachers who are work­ from the Wendell Phillips Aca­ fa irs , challenges the veracity of w ill visit U.S. diplomats, espe­ ing without salaries. demic Freedom Committee, Box reports that “the Catholic Church cially in Africa and Asia where Contributions, either as gifts or 33176, Los Angeles 33, for a min­ is courageously supporting the Worthy has traveled extensively loans, can be made to the com­ imum donation of $3. The bound demands of the strikers and dem­ on three round-the-world assign­ mittee through Richard Gorby, volume includes a statement from onstrators.” He cites statements Weekly Calendar ments for the Afro-American Treasurer, at 2648 N. Fair Oaks, the ACLU on why it has entered by a number of Spanish prelates newspapers. Tucson, Arizona. the case and a legal analysis of specifically denying pro-striker the case by the Oakland firm of pronouncements attributed to DETROIT Edises, Treuhaft, Grossman and them by the foreign, including the Spain and Portugal — What Next? G rogan. U.S., press. Speaker, Harriet Talan. F ri.. June 22, Now Available in English 8 p.m. Debs Hall, 3737 W o o d w ard . F ri­ day Night Socialist Forum. # MINNEAPOLIS Celebrate the Fourth of July THE MILITANT SOCIAL. Special re Fidel Castro Denounces marks b y V. R. Dunne, recently returned from New Y ork. Music, refreshments. At Mountain Spring Camp Sat., June 30, 8:30 p.m . 704 Hennepin A ve. Bureaucracy and Sectarianism • Enjoy the beautiful countryside • • Swim in our private pond N E W Y O R K The complete text of the sensational March 26 speech in Summer Film Series. Sun., June 24: • Eat our delicious food Eisenstein's classic P O T E M K IN and C u ­ which Castro assailed Communist Party leader Anibal Escal­ • Fun for all ages ban documentary, DEATH TO THE IN­ VA DER S; Sun., July I: Dovzhenko's ante and others for converting the new Cuban Integrated • Rates from $6 a day powerful anti-war film AFRICAN MU­ Revolutionary Organizations into "a yoke, a straitjacket." includes everything SICIANS (Congo). Showings at 7:45 and 10 p.m . a t 116 University Place. Situated in the Poconos foothills, we're just 70 miles from Contrib. 99c. Ausp. Young Socialist Al­ 35 cents a copy New York and Philadelphia liance. * * * PIONEER PUBLISHERS The holiday weekend begins Friday, June 29 W IL L IA M F. W A R D E , Marxist author and lecturer, discusses W h ere Is A m er­ For information and reservations, write Mountain Spring Camp, ica Going? Fri.. June 29, 8:30 p.m . RD No. 1. Washington. N. J. Phone 201-689-9852. New Yorkers, call 116 University Place New York 3, N. Y. GR 5-4017 116 University Place. C o n trib . $1, A usp. M ilitant Labor Forum. Monday, June 25, 1962 THE MILITANT Page Three Interview With Carl Braden THE MILITANT Prospects in the Fight for Racial Equality Editor: JOSEPH HANSEN Managing Editor: GEORGE LAVAN Business Manager: KAROLYN KERRY By Marilyn Levin Published weekly, except for omission of five summer issues, by The Militant DETROIT — When Carl Bra­ Publishing Ass’n., 116 University PL, New York 3, N. Y. Phone CH 3r2140. Second- den, veteran civil-rights and ci- class postage paid at N ew Y o rk . N .Y . Subscription: $3 a year; Canadian, $3.50; An Unflinching Rights Fighter foreign, $4.50. Signed articles by contributors do not necessarily represent The vil-liberties fighter, was recently Militant’s views. These are expressed in editorials. in this city, we asked if we could Carl Braden, one of the outstanding figures in the strug­ interview him for The Militant. gle against Jim Crow, is a resident of Louisville. He worked for Vol. 26 - No. 26 rtSfcfr-us Monday, June 25, 1962 Despite his hectic schedule, he a newspaper there until in 1954-55 he served eight months of talked with us for over an hour a 15-year sentence after he had helped a Negro family buy a and a half. A wide range of sub­ house in a so-called white neighborhood. He was freed when jects was covered — the prohibi­ Only 'Certified' Peace Fighters? tion of his scheduled campus the U.S. Supreme Court voided meeting by Wayne State Univer­ the state sedition law under On June 8 Prof. J. D. Bernal of Britain, chairman of the sity officials, his prison sentence which he had been convicted. W orld Council of Peace, through advertisements in the U.S. press, for using the First Amendment, Braden’s wife, Anne, has invited American organizations concerned with disarmament to the April civil-rights conferences written a famous book, The send delegates to a W orld Congress for Disarmament and Peace in Birmingham and Atlanta, his Wall Between, giving the de­ in Moscow July 9-14. On the sponsors’ list were notable figures work as field secretary of the tails of the Louisville case in Southern Conference Educational from the Soviet-bloc countries and such eminent Westerners as which the home purchased for Fund and his general views on Linus Pauling, Bertrand Russell, Canon Collins, Somerset Maug­ the struggle in the South. the Negro was bombed and its ham, Jean-Paul Sartre, Lazaro Cardenas, Albert Schweitzer and Throughout the interview, Bra­ would-be defenders framed in many others. den’s main theme — the vital the course of a hysterical witch T h e New York Times of the very next day carried a state­ connection between civil rights hunt. ment by the National Committee for a Sane Nuclear Policy denounc­ and civil liberties was restated Braden recently completed a ing the W orld Peace Council as a “Communist” organization and and emphasized repeatedly. “The year’s prison sentence for re­ citing SANE executive director Homer Jack, Norman Thomas FBI,” he said, “works with local fusing to co-operate with the and Alfred Hassler as authorities for this characterization. Dr. police authorities to thwart voter- House Un-American Activities Jack, moreover, was reported by the T im e s as declaring that registration drives. The House Committee. He had declined to Un-American Activities Commit­ “the Moscow group’s [sic!] organizers were trying to go over the answer questions of the commit­ tee has sub-committees in all the heads of American peace organizations to recruit political inno­ Southern states. They issue lists tee on the ground that it was cents to attend the July sessions.” of m ilitant activists and subpoena trying to discredit him and The question raised is whether anyone can get into the fight professors on campuses.” hamper his work for integra­ for peace or whether a special license from SANE is required. tion. He based his refusal on the Statement Homer Jack’s statement means that his group has arrogated First Amendment guarantee of He showed us a statement by to itself the right to pass on the politics and respectability of all free speech, press, association Bob Moses, a field secretary of opponents of nuclear testing and war. Those meeting its stand­ the Student Nonviolent Coordinat­ and petition. ards w ill be certified as bona fide, approved, non-dangerous, ing Committee (SNCC), when he Last month Alabama’s attor- Carl Braden house-broken, peace advocates and their rumps can be stamped was on trial in Magnolia, Miss. ney general obtained an injunc­ to show that they have been duly inspected and have met U.S. “We are not yet here in Missis­ tion in the circuit court at Talladega barring a number of or­ government specifications. sippi fighting for civil rights,” ganizations and certain individuals, including Carl Braden, This franchise to inspect and approve comes to SANE directly Moses had then said, “but for from integration efforts in that city where Negro college stu­ from Senator Dodd, the W itch Hunter-in-Chief. By purging and those civil liberties that provide dents have been conducting sit-ins and other demonstrations. abasing itself, SANE met Dodd’s exacting standards and now an alternative to armed struggle.” On June 14 Braden, contesting the injunction, officially Braden added: “This expresses wishes to apply them to all others. informed the State of Alabama that his conduct in Talladega my feelings and explains my in­ volvement in the fight for the had been perfectly lawful and that “for reasons of conscience First. Amendment.” and political and moral conviction he has for many years in ... New York Hospital Union Strike He then took up the question the past supported the struggle to do away with racial segre­ of red-baiting in the civil-rights gation and hopes that for many years in the future he may (Continued from Page 1) tom of the ladder in the trade un­ movement, explaining why he continue to do so.” He further declared his intention “as a Beth-El Hospital corridors in sym­ ion and management circle. and others in the South reject it. citizen to exercise his right by speech, by press, by petition, “The very people who have had “My feeling is that anyone work­ pathy with the strike. A t the same and by taking part in peaceable assembly to persuade his fel­ this trade unionist thrown in jail ing for integration is an integra- low citizens to a belief in integration and the lawful political time police arrested nine pickets for exercising the right of collec­ tionist, regardless of his politics. action which flows therefrom, in Alabama or in any other outside the hospital. Twenty more tive bargaining are the same peo­ We [the SCEF] follow a political youths were arrested June 12 for ple who piously pose as great lib­ non-exclusion policy. People who state, and in Talladega City or County, or in any other place staging another sit-in. State As­ erals and friends of labor and give in to red-baiting are doing a in the United States to which he sees fit to go.” semblyman Mark Lane, a lawyer, minorities. disservice to the movement. SNCC is defending a number of them. “For an example one of the and SCLC [Southern Christian Leon J. Davis, president of Lo­ trustees of Beth El Hospital is Leadership Conference] are not Williams and the events in Mon­ into a union. “They haven’t made cal 1199, is s till in ja il serving a Brooklyn Boro President Abe affected by it [red-baiting] roe, N.C. He answered that “the any demands yet,” he explained, 30-day sentence for refusing to Stark and another is Congressman e ith e r.” forces of the South consider Mon­ “the students are looking around order Beth-El strikers back to Emanuel Celler of Brooklyn. Both Braden described SNCC as “the roe just another place where the for international unions to affiliate work under an anti-strike, anti­ men pose as ‘Liberals.’ Both of most m ilitant organization in the fight is going on. People are armed with.” He said “many of these stu­ picketing injunction obtained by these gentlemen w ill mount a plat­ South today. They aren’t, a discus­ all over the South. Right now dents feel that the Teamsters the hospital. form at the drop of a hat and sion group. In order for a local people involved in non-violent di­ Union is where they are most like­ An editorial in the June 9 declare to the world that they group to become affiliated with rect action are moving. When they ly to get support.” Amsterdam News — the leading are the greatest friend of the SNCC, it must have at least ten are stopped, there may be other Negro weekly here — expressed a working man the world has ever At the end of the interview, members and have taken part in M onroes.” widespread attitude toward the kno w n . since we were representing a so­ some direct action within the past Braden attributed the greater cialist paper, we asked Braden if hospital workers’ struggle. The “Yet they sit on the board of year.” He added that “SNCC is editorial, entitled “Liberals” said: this hospital while the hospital publicity accorded Monroe to he would make any general ob­ also hard-pressed financially be­ servations about the broader po­ “ . . . we unhesitatingly say now pays these people starvation wages “Robert Williams’ leadership and cause they don’t have the North­ his knowledge of how to make litical questions of socialism and that the only reason why the pres­ and refuses to b,argain . . . One ern contacts and sources that the news.” “There arc others who capitalism in relation to civil ident of the hospital local is in certainly would think that both adult organizations have.” rights. In response he described jail and the only reason why these of these men would be moved to share W illiams’ ideas but lack his Northern Students organizational capacity and train­ his father as a “m ilitant socialist, people are being kicked around action in some definitive way but. ing and are unable to break the a follower of Eugene Debs.” He and shunned by both labor and if they cannot act there is noth­ Since some young Detroiters in­ news barrier surrounding the told us that he has continued in. management is the fact that they ing in the world to stop them from tend to spend the summer in the the same tradition. He reiterated are Negroes and Puerto Ricans resigning from the hospital board South, we asked Braden his opin­ S outh.” his belief that a change to social­ who are at this time on the bot­ in protest.” ion about Northern students par­ He further commented that ticipating in the Southern strug­ “most people confuse Williams’ ism is necessary if humanity is to gle. While approving such plans tactics with armed aggression. He progress. “I don’t think the Ne­ and agreeing that people could [Williams] followed a policy of groes w ill ever be free under cap­ Fund Scoreboard be more effective after getting a non-violent direct action and self italism,” he concluded, “and I’m “first-hand picture of conditions defense when necessary. This is one of the few who isn’t afraid City Quota Paid Percent in the South,” he also had some not in contradiction with the sen­ to say it.” P itts b u rg h $ 20 $ 25 123 general comments about the role timent of many in the movement. Berkeley-Oakland 635 733 115 of Northerners. There are plenty of people work­ G eneral 530 599 113 “Many Northern students,” he ing in the non-violent movement C leveland 600 670 312 said, “come down on Freedom who use it as a tactic, not as a Special Offer A lle n to w n 155 155 100 Rides, get thrown in jail and ex­ philosophy. They are going ahead Boston 750 750 100 pect to be bailed out immediately. with non-violent direct action be­ To New Readers Chicago 1,000 1.000 100 These self-styled experts then re­ cause it is working at this point.” Connecticut 200 200 100 turn home and aren’t heard from We then discussed the prospects A four-month trial sub­ D enver 200 200 100 again. These people are more of for unionization of the South. scription to The Militant for Detroit 800 800 100 a hindrance than a help.” “Unionization,” he stated, “will only 50 cents. Send this cou­ Los Angeles 6.300 6.300 100 Braden felt that most Northern­ come from and be a further pro­ pon with payment to: The M ilw a u k e e 320 320 100 ers could be most effective in jection of the integration struggle. M ilitant, 116 University N ew Y o rk 5,700 5,700 100 supporting the civil-rights strug­ Economic organization is the next Place, New York 3, N. Y. N e w a rk 190 190 100 gle by staying home, publicizing step. Everything prior has been and raising money for the South. preliminary work. If there is suf­ Philadelphia 320 321 100 Name ...... St. L o u is 100 100 100 “If they are going to take part ficient advance preparation and San Diego 360 360 100 in the struggle,” he continued, the people are determined I feel San Francisco 720 720 100 “they will have to be fully com­ the employers and the authorities Street ...... Seattle 600 600 100 mitted and willing to take the in the South can be stopped from Twin Cities 1,500 1,500 100 consequences. This means being committing violence.” He cited an City ...... Zone___ prepared to stay in jail.” instance of a group of students Totals through June 15 $21,000 $21,243 101 Our next question was about in Mississippi who have already State ...... Southern reaction . to Robert F. begun to organize Negro workers Page F o u r THE MILITANT Monday, June 25, 1962

Speech by Robert Williams Letters From Our Readers Cuba vs. the U.S. on Race Relations Fan Mail the Kremlin" would certainly re­ proach now the left-wing Social­ In reply to questions as to how Indianapolis, Ind. [The following account of a to “ assert his rig h ts as a hum an ists, Erlich and Alter, as “Com­ he liked Cuba, Robert Williams Today’s the deadline on the 8- speech by Robert F. Williams is being.” Recent years have provid­ munist agents” if they were alive. ed abundant testimony that the responded: Page M ilitant Fund and I sincere­ translated from the March 18 is­ Today, like a ghoul, he feeds on North American Negroes more “It is pleasant to live in Cuba ly hope the goal is attained. sue o f Verde Olivo, magazine of their dead body for his cold-war and more are tenaciously fighting because there’s freedom here, be­ The paper is invaluable in the Cuban Revolution’s armed propaganda in the service of the against the measures of discrimi­ cause there’s equal justice for bringing relevant facts and truths forces.] State Department defiling all the everyone, because there’s no dis­ to the workers and in clearly em­ nation which put them at the level ideas and principles Erlich and An illuminating and dramatic crimination against the Negro, be­ phasizing the real issues of today’s of pariahs. The protests against Alter were standing for. I wonder presentation of the insupportable cause there are responsible, free complex and rapidly deteriorat­ racial segregation in the res­ only why should you — even now situation suffered by the Negroes taurants, the tireless struggle for and respectful courts. In Cuba a ing social-economic situation — in the de-Stalinization period — in the United States because of Negro is a human being, not a dog. shattering the myths and capital­ racial equality in the schools and make Dubinsky’s task easier by- discrimination was presented by Here in Cuba there are neither ist propaganda propagated to con­ for equal pay in industry are im­ holding to the rejected old lies the North American integrationist classes nor races — there are men, fuse and subdue the workers. The pressive examples of the mount­ and crimes? leader Robert Williams who man­ ing struggle of the North Ameri­ brothers, all beings are equal. In paper presents the class struggle, A.B. aged to escape some months ago can Negro to break through the the U.S., on the other hand, hate no holds barred, frank and truth­ from the country of his birth and barriers of prejudices which make rules as well as discrimination, fu l. Horrible Thought! find refuge in Cuba. Ku Klux their lives a living hell of per­ subjugation, barbarity, injustice More and more, serious work­ Bronx, N.Y. Klan elements in complicity with secution and bondage. and slavery for the Negro.” ers w ill come to understand the I wish I could donate some police of the county on more than international situation through money to help The Militant. I one occasion threatened the lives education from The Militant — meant to, but I haven’t got a spare of W illiams and his family. An Appeal to Washington especially with added coverage buck lately. I’m just a student. At the beginning of his talk, and Marxist-Leninist discussion. If it wasn’t for The Militant I W illiams asked: What kind of free J.M. would have to rely on Nixon and world is it in the United States The Alter-Erlich Case Stevenson and the like for my information on Cuba. What a hor­ which denies liberty, full citizen­ Bertrand Russell on Cuba New York, N.Y. rible thought! ship and the protection of the law Two weeks ago I sent a letter H.L. to Negroes? What kind of repre­ [The original English version of ination, is in a condition to build to The W o rk e r in reaction to the sentative democracy is it that op­ this statement apparently never homes and schools, to encourage shameless defense by labor editor Communism and Science presses 20 million Negroes who was published. The following education and culture, to abolish George Morris of one of the most Chicago, 111. account for 70 per cent of the un­ translation from the Havana daily, poverty and disease and human heinous crimes of the Stalin era. Communism was founded just Revolución, appeared in the sum­ misery. The Cuban Revolution employed and who can’t even use The letter was not published but 44 years ago, with the birth of the same public telephones as m er, 1962, issue o f the Canadian deserves confidence and encour­ instead Morris wrote another ar­ the Soviet Union, and now pos­ white citizens? Fair Play for Cuba bulletin.] agement and not blind hostility. ticle justifying the murder of Er­ The huge corporations »such as sesses the m inds and souls o f h a lf lich and Alter by the Soviet Un­ The hysteria which has been United Fruit are afraid of losing the world. It is winning converts Fine Words ion’s war emergency. [The Morris created in the U.S. about the a lucrative empire in Latin Amer­ in increasing numbers. Recogniz­ Commenting on the discrepancy articles referred to appeared in Cuban Revolution is a grave ica. The military-industrial com­ ing no gods, it preaches the self­ the June 3 and 10 issues of The between the fine words of the danger to the peace of the world. bination continually needs arma­ perfectibility of man and his ca­ W o rke r.— E d it o r .] Constitution on equality and re­ Those responsible for the creation ments and preparations for war if pacity to comprehend the inner­ It seems to me that the matter spect for the human personality of that psychosis ought to consider they are to preserve their posi­ most secrets of life without super­ deserves your attention and I am and the impunity with which carefully whether they will al­ tion, their power, and their profits. natural aid. It glories in the ad­ racists abuse North American enclosing a copy of my letter ways be in positions of power to Those forces in the U.S. with vance of science and looks to it for w h ich The W o rk e r did not print. Negroes, W illiams said: control it.' Already the U.S. sup­ their paid liars — scientific, in­ salvation. ‘‘The Constitution of the United ported an invasion of Cuba which dustrial, or congressional — have * * * It is not against traditional reli­ States is very fine but it is con­ was destroyed because the great gions. It ignores them. Scientific created a pathological hatred Being a steady reader of your sidered like a scrap of paper. For majority of the Cuban people de­ communism is a powerful rival of against the Cuban Revolution, paper — which I consider being the Negro its provisions do not cidedly defended the government capitalism and its religions. Pow­ which constitutes a grave threat lately very informative and in­ hold despite the Fourteenth of Dr. Fidel Castro. It appears erful because its aims are man- to the independence of Cuba and teresting — I was shocked by a Amendment, added after the Civil possible, moreover, that the U.S. made and unequivocal, powerful a grave threat to world peace. casual remark in Morris’ cover­ War, which recognizes the absolute contemplates a plan of imposing because it is at home in the per­ I appeal to the government of age of the last convention of the equality, the equal right of all to on the Cuban people a regime vasive secularity of 20th Century the U.S. to let Cuba resolve its ILGWU. jobs, to recreation, to education, to that is against their wishes. own problems without interfer­ life, powerful because history is I agree completely with Morris’ public services; equal rights for ence. I appeal to the people of on its side. The problem before the world evaluation as far as he condemns Whites and blacks.” As science reaches further into today is grave and inescapable. the United States to pay no at­ Dubinsky in his rabid cold-war tention to the hysterical speeches space, the easy idea that God is Ought the nations of the world be frenzy with which he instills his Fighting Back of their leaders. I appeal to the “out there” seems more remote. permitted to settle their disputes union and the labor movement. Nevertheless, W illiams affirmed, governments and the peoples of As science learns new ways to by means of war, which inevitably It seems that Mr. Dubinsky and Latin America to reject inflexibly combat disease, famine and early the Negro is fighting back. “He is leads to a nuclear holocaust which his ilk have in their old age any measure against the Cuban death, these plagues seem less the organizing, preparing to make ef­ would destroy humanity; or ought enough zeal only to fight the Revolution. Cuba is an indepen­ will of God than penalties for fective the rights which are his as all the nations together renounce Soviet Union and not the employ­ a human being. The powers that dent and sovereign nation with its man’s ignorance. war? An attack by the U.S. on ers — with the result that the inalienable right to resolve its As science probes deeper into be seek to keep the people mis­ Cuba could lead to a nuclear war wages of the long-organized gar­ problem s as best pleases it. matter and into the creation of informed in order to maintain and for this reason, if for no ment workers are now on the capitalist exploitation and deny the An action by the U.S. against life itself, men find it more and other, one must oppose it resolu­ lowest level in comparison with Cuba could lead to a nuclear war. more difficult to discern the hand exercise of human rights." tely. No state has a right to dic­ other organized workers. Such a war would destroy civiliza­ of God in the workings of capital­ Williams maintained that the tate to Cuba or to any other na­ Unfortunately, Morris found as tion and perhaps all the human ism and its religions. “North American Negro is strug­ tion how to direct its own af­ appropriate to write ironically race. Let us remember our hu­ C.E. gling to overcome his present sta­ fairs. Cuba, at last, after half a that “ a special section of the (con­ century of North American dom- manity and let us forget the rest. tus of social discrimination” and vention) document revives the No Fake 'Detachment1 cry over two Socialists of old Cambridge, Mass. Poland, Erlich and Alter, first Enclosed is S10 for your fund. raised by Dubinsky in the mid­ One thing that I appreciate es­ war period, charging the two wore pecially, and that I think deserves It Was Reported in the Press ‘murdered’ by the government special mention, is The M ilitant’s under Stalin.” excellent editorial policy. New ACLU Counsel — M e lv in but that of “two eyes for one, two gram sponsors. Ad men generally As a matter of fact Erlich and To my knowledge you have L.. W ulf has succeeded Rowland teeth for one.” agree Mehling’s proposal is “ludi­ Alter were leaders of the “Bund” never tried to report on events un­ crous” and “unsophisticated.” in old Poland and they represent­ less you had actual, verifiable Watts as legal director of the Flying High — It cost taxpayers American Civil Liberties Union. Snorted one agency man, “ No one ed more or less the left wing in facts to present. You never guess an estimated $10 m illion last year W ulf had been assistant legal di­ here pays any attention to this the pre-war socialist movement, at what a situation may be and to send government officials on sort of mail. As long as the pro­ promulgating the idea of uniting then invent “facts” to support re c to r since 1958. W atts resigned “champagne flights.” That was the after seven years of service to re­ duct sells, we don’t pay any heed of all the socialist tendencies (the your position — a favorite trick cost of unnecessary first class to letters that come in.” Communists included) in the fight of the capitalist press, to which turn to private practice but will flights made last year by m ilitary cohtinue as special counsel to the against fascism and capitalism. the real facts are, so often, un­ and civilian officials when lower- Working the Angles — “ D A L ­ liberties group. ACLU executive The murder (without quotation acceptable. priced tourist accommodations LAS — Private survey crews director John de J. Pemberton, marks) of Erlich and Alter with You are, of course, frankly par­ were usually available on the same working for the state of Texas Jr., said: “There is not another charging them of being agents of tisan. B u t, as T ro ts k y so fre q u e n t­ plane, according to a Congres­ found that all seven out of seven lawyer in the country who has Hitler Germany was one of the ly pointed out, true objectivity lies sional committee. Rep. Findley oil wells they have tested in the devoted so much of himself to most cruel and revolting crimes not in trying to convince the (R-Ill.) explained: “The main East Texas Field were slanted il­ the defense of constitutional rights in Stalin’s abuse of power in the reader and yourself that you are difference between economy-tour­ legally to tap oil from under ad­ as R o w la n d W atts.” first workers’ state. Khrushchev’s a disinterested and uncommitted ist and first class fare is the free joining leases.” — The June 6 castigation of Stalin’s rule of ter­ observer, but in stating one’s posi­ bar service often available to first W al l Street Journal. Assurance of the Week — A c ­ ror covers by implication also the tion clearly and in interpreting class customers.” E rlic h -A lte r case. Y o u r paper events openly, honestly and tho­ cording to a June 13 AP dispatch Limited Faculty Ability? E m ­ agreed with the critical re-evalua­ roughly in the light of this posi­ from West Germany, a high-rank­ Police Transport — A New York barrassed Memphis school officials tion of the Stalin era and there­ tion, without unprincipled at­ ing U.S. Air Force official there police sergeant was kicked off the are trying to explain how Kings­ fore Morris’ remarks seem to me tempts at “detachment” that, so says control over atomic devices force June 15 and a patrolman ley H ig h School’s 1962 year book as a relapse in to the old disease often, is simply camouflage for in Europe is foolproof. “No man was fin e d 30 days’ pay fo r using happened to include the Marxist which poisoned the whole work­ ruthless slanting and distortion. can unwittingly set off an atomic their radio car to transport whis­ concept, “From each according to ers’ movement. I would say you have lived up device,” he said. “It takes at least key. It was charged they had been his ability, to each according to Mr. Dubinsky, who decries the to Trotsky’s principle. All the tw o m en.” caught buying 40 quarts of un­ his need.” Principal John Crothers peace fighters against the atom more power to you. taxed Canadian whiskey from a said, “It got in because of the ig­ bomb as “serving the interests of J.R.L. Wants Higher Exchange Rate — steward on a German freighter. norance of one of the year book’s Ngo Dinh Nhu, sister of South student editors and an oversight Vietnamese dictator Diem, is put “ Sellevision” — In a new book, on the part of the faculty sponsor.” Thought for the Week out because the U.S. didn’t rush The Great Time Killer, H a ro ld its troops from Thailand to Laos, Mehling scores the deterioration Socialism, Anyone? — A billion ‘'It has been estimated that, among other things, four million rep orts New Y o rk Times corres­ of television programming. If the people in Asia, Africa and Latin babies use up during their lifetime: one billion pairs of shoes, 25 b il­ pondent Homer Bigart. She said trend continues, he warns, the America “are homeless or living lion pounds of beef, 63 m illion suits and dresses, 11 million new cars, the U.S. should have gone into medium should be renamed “selle­ in housing which is a health haz­ 91 billion gallons of gasoline, 6% m illion refrigerators, 200 m illion tons Laos to apply to the “Commu­ vision.” In the hope that it will ard and an affront to human digni­ of steel. So the next time you hear a baby cry, don’t let it annoy nists” not the doctrine of an eye bring a change for the better, he ty,” according to UN Acting Sec­ you. Today’s babies are our customers of tomorrow.” —Thomas F. Pat­ for an eye and a tooth for a tooth urges letters of complaint to pro- retary General U Thant. ton, president of Republic Steel Corp.