The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1941-04-29


a thermometer
is TO the slightest change in tenn
perature.
Well, we have a law now requir-
ing all agents in the United States
representing foreign principals, eX-
cept purely commercial, to reg
ister with the state department.
It's intended TO identify fifth
columnists. propagandists and the
like, here to create sentiment in
behalf of overseas governments.
Representatives Of democratic gov
ernments aren't excepted, but Of
course the statute really is intend
ed to spot totalitarian agents.
The law is o. k, in the Civil Lib
critics Unions announced opinion.
A plan also is pending in COM
gress to regulate publication, In
this country. by foreign principals
agents. Of printed matter. The
schemes to compel the agents to
publish. with the literature, their
names and addresses and those Of
their principals. too. The aim. like
wise. is to exclude from the United
States all foreign-published propa-
ganda. except as inclusive Of the
names and addresses of its respon-
sible authors. Senator Alexander
Wiley of Wisconsin is sponsor Of
the bill.
o. X. says the Civil Liberties
Union again.
Draw the Line Here
But the Union draws the line
against prohibition of anonymous
publications by Americans in their
own home land.
Senators Guy M. Gillette of Iowa
and Raymond F. Willis of Indiana
are boosting for a law to this eff
feet in the upper congression-
al chamber and Representative
George w. Gillie has one on the
docket in the lower house.
Similar state laws and municip-'
ordinances are being urged in vari-
Gus legislatures and city councils.
The Union opposes them all.
It draws a sharp distinction be-
tween foreign propaganda In our
midst and domestic agitation in IA
vor of policies in which Americans
themselves, though in a minority.
believe.
II foreigners want to propagan-
die amongst US. all right, reasons
the Union: let them do it. But like
wise let them identify themselves,
so that well know the sources Of
their output and will be in posi-
ton to discount it accordingly.
But. adds the Unions statement
Of its position. anonymous publi-
cations have played a significant
part in our struggle for liberty"
and. ''in parts Of the United States,
dominated by political machines or
industrial interests. 1t would be al
most suicidal for a minority to ex-
pose itself by taking the RESPONSE
bility for publications in opposition
to such powerful forces"
One Argument
I'm not particularly attempting
TO advertise the Unions opposition
to our domestic so-called "disclos-
ure" bills. Personally I'd think that
even a minority. with a good cause
to speak for. shouldn't object to
subscribing to its remarks. even up
to the point of suicide II necessary.
What I'm seeking to emphasize
Is the fact that an outfit as whole
heartedly pro-civil liberty as the
American Civil Liberties Union
deems 1t perfectly legitimate to
make foreign propagandists tell
who they are.
It's AMERICAN civil liberty
that the Unions for; not liberty
for totalitarians TO undermine It,
II they can.
The Union has been somewhat
unfavorably publicized In the past
because II everlastingly has beer
In the business Of defending minor.
ity groups rights, which has made
our majorities sore. Here's an In.
stance in which it's more or less or
the popular side. always liked the
group. and feel like giving them