Evening star., 1950-09-23

naturalization provisions. It is easy
to see that they are hasty and ILL
considered. But far more significant
and far more dangerous-is their
apparent underlying purpose. In
stead of trying to encourage the
free movement of people, subject
only to the real requirements Of
national security, these provisions
attempt to bar movement to any
one who is, or once was, associated
with ideas we dislike; and in the
process. they would succeed in bar
ring many people whom it would be
to our advantage to admit.
Blow to World Peace.
Such an action would be a serious
blow to our work for world peace.
We uphold-or have upheld till
now, at any rate-the concept of
freedom on an international scale.
That is the root concept of our ef-
forts to bring unity among the free
nations and peace in the world.
The Communists, on the other
hand, attempt to break down in
every possible way the free inter-
change of persons and ideas. It
will be to their advantage, and not
ours, if we establish for ourselves
an iron curtain" against those who
can help us in the fight for freedom.
Another provision of the bill
which would greatly weaken our
national security is Section IS,
which would make subversive aliens
eligible for naturalization as soon
as they withdraw from organiza-
tions required to register under this
bill, whereas under existing law
they must wait for a period of 10
years after such withdrawal before
becoming eligible for citizenship.
This proposal is clearly contrary to
the national interest and clearly
gives to the Communists an adyan-
tage they do not have under exist
ing law.
I have discussed the provisions
Of this bill at some length in order
to explain why I am convinced that
it would be harmful to our security
and damaging to the individual
rights of our people If 1t were
enacted.
MOckery Of Crusade.
Earlier this month, we launched
a great Crusade for Freedom de-
signed, in the words of Gen. Eisen-
hover, to fight the big lie with
the big truth. I can think of no
better way to make a mockery of
that crusade and of the deep
American belief in human freedom
and dignity which underlie it than
to put the provisions of H. r. 9490
on our statute books.
I do not undertake lightly the re-
sponsibility of differing with the
majority in both Houses of Con-
gresS who have voted for this bill.
We are all Americans; we all wish
to safeguard and preserve our Con-
stitutional liberties against internal
and external enemies. But can
not approve this legislation, which
instead of accomplishing its avowed
purpose would actually interfere
with our liberties and help the
Communists against whom the bill
was aimed.
Must Marshal Resources.
This is a time when we must
marshal all our resources and all
the moral strength of our free sys-
tenn in self-defense> against the
threat of Communist aggression.
We will fail in this, and We will de-
stroy all that we seek to preserve,
if we sacrifice the liberties of our
citizens in a misguided attempt to
achieve national security.
There is no reason why we should
fail. Our country has been through
dangerous times before, without los
ing our liberties to external attack
or internal hysteria. Each of us,
In Government and out, has share
in guarding our liberties. Each Of
us must search his own conscience
to find whether he is doing all that
can be done to preserve and
strengthen them.
No considerations of expediency
can justify the enactment of such
a bill as this, bill which would so
greatly weaken our liberties and give
aid and comfort to those who would
destroy us. I have, therefore, no
alternative but to return this bill
without my approval, and I ear
nestly request the Congress to re-
consider it's action.