Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1949-12-02

vriter, although it Is permissible for
1priter kno1Dn to The Star to use
/ a nom de plume. Please be brief.
sistencies of arguments presented on this
question of religion in Spain, why haven't
the many so quick to protest the treatment
of Protestants in Spain also written to the
Star to protest the even worse violations
of religious freedom in the Communist
dominated countries Of, Eastern Europe
where far greater proportion Of Protestants
are involved?
I think that the obvious failure OF our
diplomatic boycott of Spain has long, long
ago been demonstrated. The pitiful and
paltry excuses put forth for continuance
of this boycott have become nauseating and
an insult to American intelligence Let us
gather the self-respect that remains TO US
after the recent Chinese treatment and do
the obviously intelligent thing-extend rec"
ignition to Spain once more.
j. KARL NEWLANDS-M1SICA.
To the Editor Of The Star
The reporting of Constantine Brown hit
new low when he described Axis helper Gen.
eral Franco as resembling our former Secre-
tary Of State, Gen. George Marshall.
AS an admirer of Gen. Marshall and as one
who Is aware how the democratic forces IN
=
offensive to see the names associated this
way. RUTH RUSSELL.
70 the Editor of The Star:
Here is dissent to the Rev. Mr.. South
gates criticism of Constantine Browns COL
umn of November 23d. The minister declares
Constantine Brown seems determined to
champion the cause of Franco Spain" and,
further, IT believe that Mr.. Brown is not CIV
i,,r +r,,o lot, ~ Tron
fact he is leading The Star readers to believe
that the United States government should
betray the principles upon which 1t was
founded"
l would say that this, coming from the
perspective of suburban minister's parson-
age on this side Of the Atlantic. is quite an
indictment against the prestige, experience
and background of a noted correspondent on
the scene in Madrid
I read MI. Browns article on the day of
issue and thought it written and un-
biased report. Another and more careful
reading leaves me more convinced that it
was presented more in the role Of reporter
than commentator.
In country OF Is ,o0o, 900. where Catholi-
cism is the state religion, and has been for
five centuries, and where the ratio Of Catho-
lies to Protestants is 1000 to one. would 1t
not be unnatural for anyone to write differ
Government does not like Protestants to
convert Catholics?
Did Mr.. Southgate have film on his glasses
when he came to that part Of MIR. Browns
article which said: IAN Anglican minister
with whom I spoke in Madrid showed real
concern over the distorted facts presented
to the world about the persecution of Prot
estants. I, for one, he said, have never ex-
perienced, in the many years have lived in
t1,yx,
lions. I am holding my services regularly?
LEONARD ]. MCCARTHY.
70 the Editor of The Star:
have been reading Constantine Browns
10 articles in your worthy newspaper, ia which
he makes plea for the United States to
recognize Frances regime In Spain, on the
ground that religious freedom is not inter-
fered with by the authorities" and that the
Spanish authorities quote Article VI Of the
charter Of Civil Rights promulgated July Il,
ls45, as proof, which reads: Nobody shall
, be molested because Of his religious beliefs
or because Of private exercise Of his faith.
No outward manifestations or ceremonies
viii be permitted except those Of the Catho-
lie religion"
In those countries where the Catholic hier-
archy are denied the privilege to proselyte
and to make public manifestation Of their
faith and ceremonies, the hierarchy claim
it Is q gross interference with their religious
freedom. And so it is, but when the Catho-
lie hierarchy and Catholic rulers of the land
interfere with the Protestant right to pros
elyte and carry on public propaganda, it Is
not denial Of religious freedom
Mr.. Brown asserts that: 80 long as
Roman Catholicism remains the state re-
ligion in this country (Spain). other faiths
will not have equality" He further declares:
I'm plain words, the Spanish government
does not like Protestants to convert Catho-
lies" and that, says he, is the reason why the
Spanish government handicaps Spanish
Protestants and interferes with their pros
elyting activities" Is that religious free
dom?
Unless am willing to grant religious
liberty to my dissenting neighbor, the same
as want him to grant to me, do not un-
derstand the first principle Of religious free
dom.
Mr.. Brown says that the Spanish authori-
ties cannot understand why the United
States authorities are willing to grant aid
to Tito, and willing to send an Ambassador
to Moscow where all religions are prosecuted
and oppressed, and are unwilling to recog-
nize the Spanish regime as presently con-
stituted.
Any church that interferes with political
and civil affairs invites reprisal from civil
authorities. and any state that attempts to
dictate and interfere with matters purely
religious exceeds its proper functions. As
an illustration, in Czechoslovakia the state
regulates the pay and activities Of religious
workers. which is not civil function.
c. S. LONGACRE.
System for Payments Of N. s. L. I.
Discussed Ia Rube Goldberg
TO the Editor Of The Star:
With all the talk about economy and EN-
cheney In the Government, the system that
the Veterans Administration has adopted for
payments Of National Service Life Insurance
takes the cake. Apparently their motto Is:
why make things ditacult when with .
little more effort they can be made impos-
Ill 7 lie ka saolsa