Evening star., 1940-07-06
Defense IS Favored,
Conscription Fought
By Youth Congress
Tunney-Bocked Foction,
Barred From Sessions,
Plans Rival Group
BY the Associated Press.

LAKE GENEVA, Wis, July 6-The
American Youth Congress was COM
mitted today to policy Of support
for national defense and non-inter-
vention in foreign wars.
A lengthy debate preceding
adoption last night of the defense
resolution. 384 to 10. provided the
liveliest session of the annual meet
ing which began Wednesday. For
congress delegates 1t dwarfed the
"revolt" movement of group of
about 65 young "pro-Americans"
who had the personal backing Of
Gene Tunney, former heavyweight
boxing champion.
The congress defense resolution
said in part:
"We declare our readiness to con-
tribute, to the maximum, our ener-
gies, our services, and if need be
our lives, to the great task of de-
Tending our country and our demo-
cratic rights against any attack of
enemies from without and against
any betrayal from within, as in
France.
1--WE consider as fundamental to
any such program foreign policy
directed toward keeping America
out of the war in Europe and away
from any intervention of American
dollar diplomacy in Latin America
or the Far East. We insist that
our armed forces must not be sent
to fight on foreign soil"
Opposed to Conscription.
|, The resolution added, however,
that I'VE are opposed to all pro-
posals for compulsory military
training or conscription, or for un-
American regimentation of youth
in compulsory labor camps"
This declaration had the support
of A. Y. c. officials. A second reso-
luton under debate proposed Con
tinuance of material aid, short of
sending an expeditionary force, to
the forces resisting the onward
march of Hitlerism." After the
overwhelming vote for the first
resolution, it was withdrawn.
Other resolutions adopted favored
"an embargo on all war supplies to
Japan" and boycott" of all Jap
anese goods, and favored aid to the
democratic popular movements in
Latin America"
The Tunney-backed faction, re-
fused seats as A. Y. c. delegates,
charged the Youth Congress was
Communist controlled" and indi-
Gated 1t would establish a new pro
American" organization. drawing
members from Young Republicans,
Young Democrats. Junior Chambers
Of Commerce, and similar groups.
Tunney Is Pleased.
The Tunney group was encampel
at nearby Williams Bay. Mr.. Tunney,
after his arrival yesterday, stated he
thought it was "a splendid thing for
these young people (the pro-Amer-
leans ITO unite on an issue of such
importance" and added that "this is
no time to allow any Trojan horse
to get control of any important
youth movement"
Mr.. Tunney established himself
at the home of Robert Burton, just
outside Williams Bay, and there
conferred with the group which had
been refused recognition as A. Y. C.
delegates.
Il am convinced that the Amer
lean Youth Congress is controlled by
Communists, Mr.. Tunney said later
in press conference on the Burton
lawn. I'm fact, I don't think there
is any sensible person who doesn't
believe the A. Y. C. is a Communist
organization"
Mr.. Tunney posed for newsreel
cameras with Eddie Church, chair
man of the Wayne County Detroit)
Young Democrats, and Henry Gro
chm, chairman of the Wayne County
Young Republicans, two of the pro
American" leaders.
Mr.. Groehn said, Eve are united
for Americanism and against fifth
columnism."
Samuel Mines and Murray Plav-
ner Of New York, two more of the
"pro-American" leaders under the
wing of the former boxer, stated