The people's voice., 1940-04-24
ON THE
CAPITALS CUFF
BY HENRY ION

Capitalution of important sections
, of Norway to the nazis has started g
debate here on sabotage, espionage
and subversive activities.
Rep. Martin Dies 3D., Tex), his ear
always tuned to the headlines, prompt
ly announced that his committee "has
evidence" to show that un-Americans
in this country are prepared to effect
just such surrender, that they have
plans" to take over the important
Industries and turn them over to the
lenemy
Entirely by accident, of course, Dies
mentions steel, auto and other indus
tries in which strong and militant un-
ions exist.
who think along the same lines. In
the experience of Norway they see a
stick with which to beat persons with
ideas different than their own.
AS usual, however, Dies and his un-
der cover supporters are badly mis-
taken in their history. In not single
instance during the past 10 years have
the workers in the factories or fields
of any country capitulated before an
outside force.
In Spain it was the generals and
landowners who turned the country
over to Mussolini and Hitler.
In Germany it was the Industrial
lists and big landowners who put Hit
Ter into power. The men and women
who worked with their hands for a
living bled and died during that hor-
rible January of 1888.
In Italy, the march on Rome in 1922
was backed not by the workers in the
factories but by the owners of the fac
tories and the owners of the fields
Austria was turned over by ele-
ments in the army and clerics.
When Czechoslovakia was belea-
guered it was the tories in England |
and France and the big landowners |
in Czechoslovakia who pressed for ap- |
peasement. Workers in the streets, |
according to all accounts, begged for |
the chance to defend themselves.
Shortly after the nazis goosestepped |
into Poland the generals and the land |
owners fled. The Polish people stood |
firm as long as they could, deserted
by the "best people"
And If Dies wants to make a point |
Of communists turning countries over
to the enemy, it can be recalled that |
in the Finnish war the decision
was reached on the battlefield and not
because of traitors within the coun-
try. In that instance the "best peo
pie" fought to the bloody end.
The stories from Norway do not
speak of treachery on the part of Nor
wegian workers or Norwegion unions.
Rather they tell of Norways elite at
lending dinners and parties at the nazi
embassy, of orders from high officials
IN the army and navy directing the
silencing of the guns.
Suppose the British should decide
American neutrality operated against
heir winning the war. Suppose
'urther they decided to sail their fleet
Up the Potomac river.
1t would not be the members of the
sWOC in Pittsburgh or the init. Assn.
# Machinists in the navy yard who /
would capitulate. Members of the {
.uto workers union would turn out a
,lanes and trucks and tanks as fast as s
hsy could. '
If there would be any capitulating a
t would be among those who leap (
through hoops to get dinner invita- I
ions to the British embassy. 1t
yould be among those in the army A
nd navy and state departments who e
'atched with pleasure the Franco /,
utchery in Spain. C
And what side would Dies be on c
Americas industrial big shots de- D
ided to turn the country over to
ritain? 81
Working men and women Of all O.
Lnds have been traditionally the real
atriots, the kind of patriot who gives