Detroit evening times., 1945-10-20

in the internal government Of Spain and
oust Gen. Franco was made in a letter by
Francis H. Russell, chief division of public
liaison, writing "for the secretary of
state" to Bishop Lewis o. Hartman
chairman of the American Committee for
Spanish Freedom, Manhattan, according
to an article in the New York Times,
Monday, Sept 10.
The large number of letters and tele-
phone calls to the Tablet expressing
amazement that the American government
had adopted policy of intervention in
the affairs of foreign country has re-
suited in letter being sent to Mr.. Russell
requesting further information on the new
state department policy, The letter of the
Tablet appears below.
HNHE Times article also revealed that
Il the American Committee for Spanish
Freedom is circulating petitions to secure
million signatures to involve the United
States in war with Spain, although the
committee says the breaking off of diplo-
matte and commercial relations with Spain
will "avoid third world war"
The immediate purpose of the petition
is to obtain passage in Congress Of the
resolution offered some months ago by
Rep. John M. Coffee of Washington,
consistent supporter of Communist party
policy in the House of Representatives
to break off relations.
Reports reaching the Tablet indicate
that the drive for signatures is being
extended widely in New York City by
Soviet sympathizers.
The Coffee resolution has been given
~ nj in ha nTnu pICtn
since its introduction in Congress, although
little has been heard of it in the daily
American press until recent weeks.
TTHE letter of the Tablet to Mr. Russell
Il follows:
LETTER TO STATE DEPARTMENT
BROOKLYN, Sept. IL
Dear Mr. Russell:
In Mondays New York Times, in a
letter to Bishop Lewis o. Hartman, you
are quoted as discussing the attitude of
the state department toward Spain.
Since you explicitly express the official
position Of the state department and since
YOU state that the views IN the letter
reflect 1.-The feeling of the American
people" we would appreciate the opportu-
nifty Of criticizing your letter, both as
American citizens and as part Of the body
Of the American people.
You stated, according to the New
York Times
"The department recognizes and shares
fully the feeling of the American people
that there should be established in Spain
forms of government which would give TO
the Spanish people the opportunity to
achieve their political aspirations. The
question of how to use our influence, in thu
best and most effective manner, and to
aid in the achievement of these objectives
in an orderly and peaceful way, is receiv-
ing constant study by officers of the
department"
VXTOULD you kindly inform. us how
w you ascertaned 1.-The feeling of the
American people,? as close students of
the propaganda against Spain (and other
nations positively opposed to the spread
of Soviet communism within their borders)
we have observed no agitation for change
of regime in Spain or for interference in
the internal government of that nation,
except in the Communist press, until re-
cent weeks
The Coffee resolution, to which Bishop
Hartman referred in the Times article,
was given little publicity at the time
of its introduction except in the Daily
Worker.
The committees which have been
organized since that time as was to be
expected, represent apparently only iso-
lated elements headed in most cases by
the usual personages associated with pro-
Soviet or pro-Communist international
movements and few innocent front men.
We have noted no expression of the
Feeling" you mention in Congress or
anywhere else. Instead we find most
Americans agree with Winston Churchill,
who last May in commencing the present
Spanish government stated in regard to
the North African landings:
II shall always consider the service so
rendered at that time of Spain not only to
the United Kingdom and the British En-
pire and commonwealth but to the cause
of the United Nations. =. Internal pOlit-
ical arrangements in Spain are a matter
for the Spaniards themselves. II is not
for us TO meddIe i'm such affairs as gov