St. Paul recorder. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1945-05-11

TALLY equal in capability of p
treatment" was presented to
World Security Conference h
sultants Walter White, Mrs
DR.. W. E. B. Dubois.
The statement was presented MOI
only to the American delegation
but to all other consultants sem
here by AZ organizations designat
ed by the State Department.
Colonial System "UndemOcratic'
Branding the colonial system Of
government as "undemocratic, so.
cially dangerous and a main cause
of wars" the statement called upon
the United Nations to see that al
the earliest practical moment nc
nation or group shall be deprived
of effective voice in it's own govern
ment." The complete text of the
statement, drafted by DR.. Dubois.
reads:
'"The main groups of mankind,
commonly called races, are essen
TALLY equal in capabiity of prog
ress and deserve equality of treat
ment, opportunity and respect in
the eyes of both science and reli-
gion. All men are brothers with
rights to freedom of thought, be-
lief and expression; freedom of
domicile movement and communica-
ton; justice before the courts and
equal civil, economic, political and
social rights.
'"The first duty of civilization is
to see to it that no human being
is deprived of these rights because
of poverty, disease or ignorance.
The colonial system of govern
ment, however deeply rooted in his
tory and custom, is today undemo-
cratic, socially dangerous and a
main cause of wars. The United Ma
tions, recognizing democracy as the
only just way of life for all peo-
pies, make it first statute of in
ternational law that at the earli-
est practical moment no nation or
group shall be deprived of effective
voice in its own government.
Seek International Commission on
Colonies
can international colonial COM
mission on which colonial peoples
shall have representation should
have power to investigate the facts
and implement this declaration IN
der the security council"
Mrs. Bethune and the two
NAACP officials are consulting
with various foreign delegations,
enlisting wherever possible their
support for strong racial equal
ity provision, for an international
bill of rights with machinery to
implement it, and for the abolition
of colonialism.
Some members of the American
delegation are favorable to the gen.
eral idea, but seem reluctant to
press vigorously for specific and
decisive action.
On May 1, also, all the American
consultants drafted a statement to
present to the American delegation
which contained the phrase "the
nations are to assure justice to
peoples of their lands" It was read
by DR.. Nolde, consultant from the
Federal Council of Churches, and
was supported by Judge Proskauer
of New York, consultant of Jew
ish groups.
Immediately Walter White Sc
cured the floor and stated that the
NAACP consultants and others
wanted to make it clear that this
phrase should apply to colonial
peoples as we'll as citizens within
the home countries.
1t becomes apparent, now that
the organization problems of the
conference are out of the way, that
the issues of race equality and Of
colonial policy are the dramatic
ones before the conference, chal-
longing the moral strength Of the
powers who declare their belief in
democracy. It is equally clear
that whereas more delegates are
coming to recognize the Importance
of these issues, the inclination
among the Americans and the
British is to dodge and not meet
them head-on.
kilograms from individuals and
interested groups to Secretary 81
State Edward r. Stettinius, il.
chairman Of the American deleeA.
ton in San Francisco, urging
strong race equality plank and the
abolition Of the colonial system
with substitution Of an information.
al trusteeship for dependent PEG.
Piles, will aid the cause.
The NAACP consultants are
also holding frequent conference:
with many Negro observers here
including the Fraternal Council Of
Negro Churches, EIks and others
In addition, the NAACP is re.
ceiving suggestions from 151 Ne.
gro and interracial organization:
who were invited by DR.. Dubois tc
submit ideas which could be pre-.
| scented to the American delegation