Evening star., 1952-12-17
Thot Element of Doubt

Thot Element of Doubt
Those who have not prejudged the issue will
find their consciences troubled by the case of
John Carter Vincent-career diplomat recon-
mended for separation from the service on
grounds of doubtful loyalty.
The Vincent case is not like the case of Owen
baltimore Johns Hopkins professor indicted on
charges of perjury. There Is considerable SINH
larty in subject matter, since both cases grow
out of the roles played by these men in the
struggle between Chang Kai-shek and the
Communists for control of China. But there is
also difference-a very important difference
Mr.. baltimore, having been indicted, must now be
brought to trial, and in the course of that trial
any one who Is interested will have opportunity
to weigh and evaluate the evidence for and
against him. In that way an intelligent opinion
as to his guilt or innocence can be formed.
But there is no way to form such an opinion
in the case of Mr.. Vincent. For the record of the
testimony on which the judgment against him
rests is sealed, and, for security reasons, must
remain sealed. So an element of doubt will
persist, and as long as doubt clothes a ruling
which ruins reputation and blasts career, a
certain uneasinesS grips the mind.
This is not said in any spirit of derogation of
the Loyalty Review Board which returned the
spirited citizens; they heard the testimony,
and they had access to confidential information
all of which is forbidden to the public. They
have concluded that there is reasonable doubt
as to Mr.. Vincents loyalty to this Government,
and there is no reason to doubt that the judg-
ment was reached in all good faith. It is not
judgment, however, which purports to be con-
elusive on the question of Mr. Vincent's loyalty.
And the board expressly disclaimed any such
intent or purpose.
Lacking access to all of the evidence there
probably is no useful purpose to be served in an
extended discussion of the fragments of evidence
which have cropped up in congressional hearings,
speeches, statements, etc. 1t might be said,
however, that the strongest known bit of evidence
against Mr.. Vincent was the testimony of Louis
Budenz former Communist, before the McCarran
committee. But even that testimony not
wholly unqualified. Mr.. Budenz did not say that
he had known Mr.. Vincent to be Communist;
he said that he had received official Com
munist) reports" that Mr.. Vincent was a
Communist.
There are points to be made on the latter's
side. Mr.. Vincent categorically denied Com
munist membership or sympathies The State
Departments Loyalty and Security Board, now
reversed by the reviewing body, had cleared him
of all charges and this with some little fanfare.
equivocal," and Secretary Acheson took the
unusual step of conveying an expression of
complete confidence" in Mr.. Vincent (The
State Department board also cleared John Stewart
Service, another departmental specialist in Chi
nese affairs, and was reversed by the reviewing
agency.)
It should be stressed that these points, pro
and con, are inconclusive and incomplete. The
necessity remains, however, for taking admin
istrative action, based on the review boards
finding, and this boils down to a question of
whether Mr.. Vincent is to be fired or permitted
to retire. The latter, of course, is much less
drastic penalty.
There has been some suggestion that the less
severe action should be taken so that other
foreign-service workers will not be frightened
into toning down their honest beliefs in official
reports This is point of view, however that is
utterly irrelevant to the real question. That
question should be concerned only with the
degree of doubt in the minds of the President
and the Secretary of State as to Mr.. Vincent's
guilt If that doubt is substantial our security
interests can be served by permitting MIR. Vim
cent to retire. And at the same time decent
consideration can be shown for a man who has
given the best years of his life to the diplomatic
service, and who may be innocent of any inten-
tional or even unintentional disloyalty to his
country.