Evening star., 1949-09-17

On Acheson Objection
To Subversives Ban
BY the Assoeiafsd Press
Secretary Of State Acheson's
blunt criticism of a Senate plan
to bar subversive aliens from this
country is expected to bring sharp
repercussions from Capitol Hill.
Mr.. Acheson's letter saying that
the measure would "drastically
interfere" with United States for
eign policy was sent two months
ago to Chairman -McCarran of the
Senate Judiciary Committee, but
came to light only yesterday.
Senator McCarran, the bills au-
thor. is on his way to Europe and
could not be reached for comment.
But he has been vigorously at odds
with the administration over q
number of matters recently.
And Senator O'Conor. Democrat,
of Maryland. acting chairman OF
a subcommittee holding hearings
on the bill, said "the group as
whole may have something to
say" about Acheson's blast after
the members have studied his
letter.
In 1t. the Secretary Of State
said the McCarran measure might
well rupture diplomatic relations
with all Communist dominated
countries and perhaps with other
nations as well. He also said it
might force removal of the United
Nations headquarters from the
United States.
Bill Is Double Edged.
The bill is designed (a) to keep
subversive aliens from getting
into this country and tb) to oust
any already here. Much of the
testimony on it recently has been
taken by the committee behind
closed doors.
Several weeks ago the group
made public the testimony of q
witness identified only by a num-
Der, charging that the United Ma
tions secretariat is "terrorized" by
Communist agents. Both u. N.
and State Department officials
disputed the testimony.
Senator McCarran has said
foreign agents are getting into
this country through diplomatic
missions and international Or
ganizations. One of the an
nounced objectives of his bill is
to put a stop to that.
Mr.. Acheson acknowledged that
there is a degree of potential
danger" in letting aliens hostile
to our form of government into
the United States.
But, he said. consideration also
should be given Ito the extent to
which the security Of the United
States is dependent on the success
of the United Nations and an ef-
fective United States foreign
policy"
Law Provides Remedy.
Under existing law, Mr.. Ache
son said, the President and other
government officials have author-
ity to keep dangerous aliens out
Of the country.
In addition, he went on, the
United Nations headquarters
agreement gives the United States
complete control over the. entry
OF aliens into any part Of the
country except the headquarters
district or its immediate vicinity.
Senator McCarran's bill might
be construed. he said, to require
the exclusion of all Communists
and possibly other aliens coming
in a diplomatic or consular ca
|capity or in connection with the
activities Of international organ
izations."
Mr.. Acheson also protested the
section Of the bill which would
compel the Attorney General to
deport those undesirable aliens
who already are here.
He. said this appeared to be
Inconsistent with our obligations
under the United Nations head
quarters agreement"
Secretary Now Has Powers.
What's more. he said, it would
mark a sharp departure from the
requirements Of existing law that
no foreign government official or
international organization alien
be deported without the approval
of the Secretary Of State."'
United States foreign policy
also would be weakened, Mr..
Acheson said, by the bills pro-
vision depriving the Attorney Gen.
eral Of his present discretion to
admit an otherwise inadmissable
alien. .....
Mr.. Acheson said the temporary
admission "of inadmissable aliens
for legitimate purposes OF busi-
ness. study, training or research
has frequently been found to be
In the best interests Of the United
States. from a foreign policy
standpoint"
The Secretary of State also
sharply dissented from q part of
the bill that would wipe out the
exceptions granted foreign gov
ernment officials from the exclu-
sion provisions of immigration
laws.
It was this provision which Mr..
Acheson said would virtually re-
suit in q break Of diplomatic re-
Ilations, at least with all Commu-