WHO IS ATTACKED IN THE MEMORANDUM?
Senator Fulbright’s memorandum attacked a wide variety of Americans, as
well as the American people as a whole.
_President Eisenhower_
In challenging the directive of the National Security Council, Senator
Fulbright was saying that in spite of his military background President
Eisenhower did not know enough to realize that the military was not
qualified to engage in the cold war. Senator Fulbright, however, was
qualified—he thought—to judge that the military was not qualified.
Furthermore, when Senator Fulbright said that such participation was
contrary to certain constitutional values, he was saying that either
President Eisenhower did not understand these values or that he chose
to disregard them.
_The Military_
Senator Fulbright’s memorandum was an attack on the competency of
the military to engage in the cold war. Concerning the policy of
the National Security Council, which put the military into the cold
war, the memorandum said: “This policy should be reconsidered from
the standpoint of a basic error, that military personnel have the
necessarily broad background which would enable them to relate the
various aspects of the cold-war effort, one to the other.”[35]
It was also stated: “There is little in the education, training or
experience of most military officers to equip them with the balance
of judgment necessary to put their own ultimate solutions—those with
which their education, training and experience are concerned—into
proper perspective in the President’s total ‘strategy for the nuclear
age’.”[36]
Furthermore, the Senator said: “There are no reasons to believe that
military personnel generally can contribute to this need, beyond their
specific, technical competence to explain their own role. On the
contrary, there are many reasons, and some evidence, for believing
that an effort by the military, beyond this limitation, involves
considerable danger.”[37]
Whence did the Senator get his competency in the field of the cold war?
Whence his qualifications as a cold war strategist so that he knows
that we have much to lose and nothing to gain by having the military
in the cold war? How did he become qualified to advise in effect the
neutralization, in so far as the public is involved, of the military in
the cold war?
Are there any military officials more competent than the Senator is
in any phase of the cold war? If so, why not let military experts on
Communism be used to help us win the victory in the cold war?
Senator Fulbright’s position, that military officials are not
sufficiently educated to engage in the cold war, is an indictment of
the armed services colleges where these officers have been trained.
Many of the officers have one or more degrees. Many of them have
travelled extensively and some of them are proficient in more than one
language.
Senator Styles Bridges expressed his shock at Senator Fulbright’s
evaluation of the military. “I assume, and it is an assumption which I
believe to be valid, that our senior military officers, particularly
those of flag and general officer rank, are persons of judgment and
responsibility. Most of these officers are graduates of our Military
Academies, and all of them have many years of experience in leadership,
many of them are held directly responsible for the welfare and lives
of large segments of our military forces, and many of them are held
directly chargeable with the care, custody and protection of millions
of dollars worth of property belonging to the U. S. Government. The
appointment of each of them to a position of high rank was made as
an expression of trust and confidence by the President and with the
concurrence of the U. S. Senate.”[38] After discussing the education of
most of the Army officers, Major John A. Burns wrote: “It is doubtful
if any professional group is so rigorously trained and educated as the
American officer.”[39]
The Senator recognizes, as do the rest of us, that the United States
is confronted by a situation which it has never before faced. The
memorandum indicates that it is not in the American tradition to be
involved in the “long twilight struggle” which we are now involved in;
but we are so involved.[40]
That we are in an unprecedented situation in the history of America,
is underscored by the fact that on December 16, 1950, President Truman
declared, in Proclamation 2914, that we are in a state of national
emergency because of Communist imperialism. Events since that time
have only further emphasized that we are in a state of national
emergency.[41]
It is not contrary to our tradition for the military to go into action
when war comes. War has come.
W. D. Workman wrote: “If warfare today were confined to the
battlefield, and if the battlefield alone were the concern of the
military, there might be some justification for buttoning the lips
of our senior officers. But warfare now is fourth dimensional,
encompassing politics, culture, economics and all other institutions
which lend themselves to internal subversion as well as external
manipulation.”[42]
_The Military Oath_
Military men have taken an oath to defend the United States against
enemies both domestic and foreign. This oath calls on them to defend
the country against _domestic_ enemies as well as foreign enemies. Why,
then, does Senator Fulbright take a position which in effect keeps the
military men from carrying out their oath against such a domestic enemy
as the Communist conspiracy in America?
It is in the light of their oath, and of the threat of internal and
external communism, that we can fully understand Resolution 99 of the
American Legion convention in Denver. It states: “Whereas the morale
and fighting spirit of our Armed Forces is directly related to their
knowledge and their belief in the fundamental principles upon which
the Government of their homeland is founded and to their knowledge and
understanding of the aims and purposes of the enemy; and
“Whereas the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and author
of ‘Masters of Deceit’, a most knowledgeable work on communism, has
stated and warned, ‘We cannot hope to successfully meet the Communist
menace unless there is a wide knowledge and understanding of its aims
and designs’, and
“Whereas, Lenin, the real architect of communism, proclaimed, ‘It is
inconceivable that communism and democracy can exist side by side in
this world.’ Lenin said inevitably we must perish; and
“Whereas this doctrine has been iterated and reiterated many times by
his successors, and their actions have consistently been in conformity
therewith; and
“Whereas the military officers of the U. S. Armed Forces are charged
under oath with the duty to defend our country from all enemies foreign
and domestic and that to accomplish fealty to this oath, the military
leaders must know the enemy—his aims and purposes in order to instruct
the men under their command, fortify their morale, and so defend our
homeland against the enemy; and
“Whereas this right and duty of the military officers of the U. S.
Armed Forces has recently been challenged publicly by certain officials
in high places in Government: Now, therefore, be it
“_Resolved_, That the American Legion in convention assembled in
Denver, Colo., September 9 through 14, 1961, urge the officers of the
U. S. Armed Forces to continue to perform their duty to defend the
Constitution of the United States, that they better inform themselves
regarding the fundamental principles of our form of government
exemplified by our Declaration of Independence and Constitution, that
they transmit and impart this knowledge to the Armed Forces under their
command and to the general public, that the officers of our Armed
Forces familiarize themselves with the aims and purposes of the known
enemy, that they earnestly and patriotically strive at all times to
impart this knowledge to the men under their command and to the general
public to the end that the morale and fighting spirit of our Armed
Forces be kept at all times at the highest possible level. We further
urge that the challenge of certain Government officials in high places
to the established rights and duties of the officers of our Armed
Forces be removed and that they be left unshackled and unhampered in
the discharge of their duties to the above end.”[43]
Does the Senator think that the only way that the military can live
up to its oath is by bullets in a hot war, and not also by words in a
cold war? The oath does not say that the defense of the United States
is limited to defense by bullets. To uphold the United States includes
upholding it by word also. Or does the Senator, with his attitude
toward at least some aspects of our constitutional system, think that
if one upholds the Constitution by the teaching method that he is
engaging in partisan politics?
If it is not a violation of their oath to defend the Constitution by
words against the domestic enemy communism, if they can in harmony with
their oath expose and oppose the domestic enemy communism, then why not
let them participate in the cold war?
Is not the memorandum, in effect, a demand that the military not carry
out their oath in so far as domestic Communists are concerned, which
domestic Communists are a part of the international communist threat?
The Senator in effect wants the military eliminated from the cold war.
As Senator Curtis, from Nebraska, said: “If this paper were devoted
to errors of judgment or fact—which are going to creep into any
program—everybody should consider those errors so that they might not
be repeated or that they might be corrected. But the purport of this
memorandum is plain—it is a pronouncement that the military should not
alert the citizens of the internal Communist threat. I am afraid it
serves interests that were never intended to be served by whoever had
the responsibility of putting the memorandum together.”[44]
We would add the observation that there is no indication that Senator
Fulbright in the memorandum proposed that the military officials
should alert even their own troops to the menace and nature of the
cold war except possibly later when some of them have been educated
by civilians. And even then he says it should be done under civilian
direction as far as possible.
The Senator does not seem to want the military to have the right to
speak out against internal communism, or to inform the public of the
dangers which threaten us or to show how the Communists operate.
We are confident that, regardless of the Senator’s motives, Khrushchev
must be pleased with the idea of the military being so neutralized in
the cold war. Since the cold war is the major war which Khrushchev and
world communism are now waging against us, Khrushchev must consider it
to be a real victory for his side to have the military forces knocked
out of the cold war to the extent that the memorandum knocked the
military out of the cold war.
We would have little or no hope for the survival of our country if the
military did not have greater confidence in America than the Senator
seems to have in the military. Indeed, the Senator himself once said:
“If we lose faith in the integrity of our military men, in addition
to the criticism which has been heaped upon the leadership in the
political field, we certainly are in a sad state.”[45]
We are afraid that under the influence of Senator Fulbright’s
memorandum concerning the military, and the increased power which the
Secretary of Defense is wielding over the statements of the military,
that a situation is developing which a few years ago the Senator
himself thought would be a serious condition indeed. Senator Taft had
criticized the Chiefs of Staff because he thought that they were but
rubber stamps for the administration. Taft said: “I accepted them as
experts; but I have come to the point where I do not accept them as
experts, particularly when General Bradley makes a foreign policy
speech. I suggest to the Senator that the Joint Chiefs of Staff are
absolutely under the control of the administration, and that their
recommendations are what the administration demands that they make.
“_Mr. Fulbright._ Mr. President, I think that is a very serious charge
which is made by the Senator from Ohio. I can think of nothing which is
more likely to cause consternation in this country, to develop a fear
which I believe the facts do not warrant, and generally to disrupt our
effort in this great struggle with the Russians and with communism,
than to state here that in effect he has no confidence in the integrity
of the leading military figures in our Government. I think it is a
very sad state in which we find ourselves if we are led to such extreme
views.”[46] Yet in 1960, Senator Fulbright praised an article which
said, among other things, that in President Eisenhower’s administration
“uniformity of viewpoint is virtually enforced.”[47]
If the military is not permitted to speak out on the issues of the cold
war, if they must silently wait until the time comes for them to rubber
stamp whatever program the President finally comes up with, one would
have the situation which Taft had in mind, i.e. they would recommend
whatever the administration demanded. And this they would do without
having had the opportunity to have participated in public discussions
before the program was arrived at.
_General MacArthur Attacked_
The Senator smeared one of the greatest generals in the history of
America, and included him as a sample of the attitude of rightwing
extremism. Of MacArthur, who was born in Arkansas, the Senator said:
“Pride in victory, and frustration in restraint, during the Korean war,
led to MacArthur’s revolt and McCarthyism.”[48]
Surely the Senator must have at least hesitated before impugning the
motives of General MacArthur. Although it would be a good thing for us
to win the victory over communism, pride in victory is not the motive.
The important things are for what one is fighting and against what
one is fighting. The desire to win victory over communism is highly
commendable. Was the General motivated by pride in victory or by love
of country, love of freedom and by opposition to this tremendous evil
which would enslave mankind? In our opinion, the Senator’s evaluation
of the General is a reflection on the Senator instead of on the
General. We do not believe that the General’s long life of service to
his country gives us any reason for believing that “pride in victory”
is a correct analysis. The Senator was judging motives.
In another place, the Senator has said: “This technique of questioning
the motives of the opposition instead of arguing about the wisdom of
their views is one of the oldest and most effective tools of tyrants or
demagogues.” He went on to say that one could question his judgment and
intellect, but “I do object to their questioning my motives or purposes
or loyalty.”[49] And yet, the Senator questioned the motives of the
General and said that the General acted out of “pride in victory.”
As for the General being frustrated under restraint, it likely would
have been frustrating to any soldier to have been ordered into a
war in which the main enemy—the Chinese Communists—was permitted a
privileged sanctuary beyond the Yalu River. Furthermore, it was a war
which the General was not permitted to try to win. Would the Senator be
frustrated if he was ordered into a political campaign which he would
not be permitted—by those who ordered him into it—to win? How much
more so when one wanted to win against communism and for the cause of
freedom.
The term “McCarthyism” is used as a smear word, and by thus equating
“MacArthur’s revolt” and “McCarthyism” was the Senator unconscious of
the fact that in the minds of some a bit, at least, of the smear would
rub off on the General?
We contrast the Senator’s views of MacArthur with that of General
Carlos P. Romulo, the Ambassador to the United States from the
Philippines.
“Gen. Douglas MacArthur’s sentimental journey to the Philippines has a
fourfold significance:
“1. At a time when Soviet propaganda is sparing no effort to
distort America’s image in the eyes of the peoples of Asia, General
MacArthur’s personality emerges as a living refutation of Communist
misrepresentations. Received by an Asian people with open arms and
given a reception that in warmth and magnitude is unprecedented in that
section of the globe, the American people should be proud that they
have one of their own who can draw to his person and to his country
such universal popular acclaim and admiration.”[50]
MacArthur’s wisdom concerning China, in contract with the illusions of
the civilian authorities who then formed policy, is illustrated in his
cable to the House Foreign Affairs Committee around the early part of
1948.
“The international aspect of the Chinese problem, unfortunately, has
become somewhat beclouded by demands for internal reform. Desirable
as such reform may be, its importance is but secondary to the issue
of civil strife now engulfing the land, and these two issues are as
impossible of synchronization as it would be to alter the structural
design of a house while the same was being consumed by flame. The
maintenance of China’s integrity against destructive forces which
threaten her engulfment is of infinitely more concern. For with the
firm maintenance of such integrity, reform will gradually take place in
the evolutionary processes of China’s future.
“The Chinese problem is part of a global situation which should be
considered in its entirely. Fragmentary decisions in disconnected
sectors of the world will not bring an integrated solution. It would be
utterly fallacious to underrate either China’s needs or her importance.
For if we embark upon a general policy to bulwark the frontiers of
freedom against the assaults of political despotism, one major frontier
is no less important than another, and a decisive breach of any will
inevitably engulf all.”[51]
When he was a Congressman, President Kennedy also spoke of some of
the illusions of civilian authorities concerning China. “Mr. Speaker,
over this week end we have learned the extent of the disaster that
has befallen China and the United States. The responsibility for the
failure of our foreign policy in the Far East rests squarely with the
White House and the Department of State.
“The continued insistence that aid would not be forthcoming, unless a
coalition government with the Communists was formed, was a crippling
blow to the National Government.
“So concerned were our diplomats and their advisers, the Lattimores and
the Fairbanks, with the imperfection of the domestic system in China
after 20 years of war and the tales of corruption in high places that
they lost sight of our tremendous stake in a non-Communist China.
“Our policy in the words of the Premier of the National Government, Sun
Fo, of vacillation, uncertainty, and confusion has reaped the whirlwind.
“This House must now assume the responsibility of preventing the
onrushing tide of communism from engulfing all of Asia.”[52]
We wonder whether or not Senator Fulbright would have lectured this
Congressman on the need to support the President’s total program, that
criticism of this nature divides the country, that this is extremely
radical rightwingism, etc.!!
We are glad that President Kennedy’s visits with General MacArthur
indicate that he has a higher regard for the General than does
Senator Fulbright. The Senator’s opinion of General MacArthur is
also in contrast with that of the House of Representatives in their
resolution in which the _Senate_ also concurred. “_Resolved by the
House of Representatives_ (_the Senate concurring_), That the thanks
and appreciation of the Congress and the American people are hereby
tendered to General of the Army Douglas MacArthur in recognition of his
outstanding devotion to the American people, his brilliant leadership
during and following World War II, and the unsurpassed affection held
for him by the people of the Republic of the Philippines which has done
so much to strengthen the ties of friendship between the people of that
nation and the people of the United States.”[53]
_The American People Attacked_
Senator Fulbright not only indicted General MacArthur, but also the
American people. Thus we read: “The American people have never really
been tested in such a struggle. In the long run, it is quite possible
that the principle problem of leadership will be, if it is not already,
to restrain the desire of the people to hit the Communists with
everything we’ve got, particularly if there are more Cubas and Laos.
Pride in victory, and frustration in restraint, during the Korean war,
led to MacArthur’s revolt and McCarthyism.”[54]
Is the Senator saying that the American people may revolt if they are
restrained so much that they are not permitted, as MacArthur was not
permitted, to win the struggle in which the Communists have engaged us?
This, incidentally, is the first time that we have known that the
Senator had such a charitable interpretation of McCarthyism. In effect
the memorandum is saying that the American people want to win the
victory over communism in the struggle which is now going on in the
world; and that when they are restrained and kept from this victory,
McCarthyism is the result. McCarthyism, according to this, is the
desire to break down the restraints which keep us from winning, and the
desire to go on to win the victory over the evil forces of communism.
This, in effect, is what the Senator said.
The American people will doubtless weigh well the Senator’s implication
that they possess the two essential ingredients which, according to
the Senator lead to McCarthyism. These two are: Pride in victory and
frustration in restraint. In other words, the Senator believes that
we are all potential or incipient McCarthyites. There is no reason to
assume that the Senator meant this in any complimentary way.
_Dr. Benson_[55]
Senator Fulbright included Dr. George S. Benson, Arkansan of the Year
for 1953-1954, President of Harding College and President of the
National Education Program, as one of the extremely radical rightwing
speakers. Dr. Benson believes in and advocates the religious and moral
principles on which this country was founded; constitutional and
thus limited government; citizenship responsibility; free enterprise
and freedom. He is against both the internal and external threat of
communism, which are two aspects of the same threat—international
communism.
Does adherence to the traditional values on which America has been
built, and which has made America great, make one an extremely radical
rightwinger? If it does, what does Senator Fulbright’s classification
of Dr. Benson reveal about Senator Fulbright’s stand? Is the Senator so
far away from the positions that Dr. Benson advocates that the Senator
thinks that Dr. Benson is an extremely radical rightwinger?
It would be educational for all concerned if Senator Fulbright would
make an attempt to sustain his charge against Dr. Benson by listing,
with documentation from Dr. Benson’s writings and speeches, those
positions which the Senator believes prove that Dr. Benson is an
extremely radical rightwing speaker. Assertions are not sufficient. The
Senator’s charges, where the Senator has much influence, are damaging
to Dr. Benson’s work for free enterprise and against communism. They
should either be sustained or the Senator should withdraw them publicly.
_Dr. Clifton L. Ganus, Jr._
In his secret memorandum Senator Fulbright passed on, without checking
with Dr. Ganus, a misrepresentation of Dr. Ganus. Senator Fulbright’s
memorandum said: “An Arkansas citizen wrote of the Fort Smith meeting:
‘Dr. Clifton L. Ganus, Jr., vice president and dean of the School
of American Studies at Harding College, made the statement “your
Representative (James W. Trimble) in this area has voted 89 percent of
the time to aid and abet the Communist Party”’.”[56]
Dr. Ganus did not make this statement.[57] If he had made such a
startling statement, surely it would have been picked up by the
newspapers at that time and reported. However, as far as we know even
the _Arkansas Gazette_ did not refer to it until months later. This was
after it had been published in the _Reporter_ magazine—which magazine
presented this false accusation without any effort to check it with Dr.
Ganus. As far as I know, the first time this false accusation appeared
in print was in the July 20, 1961 issue of the _Reporter_, which was
published at least a week earlier than July 20.[58]
It is also instructive that Perry Mason of Harding Academy spoke in
Fort Smith several times, and to some of the same people, a few days
after Dr. Ganus spoke. Although he received some questions concerning
some points made in Dr. Ganus’ speech, no one either publicly or
privately said anything about the statement later attributed to Dr.
Ganus.
If Dr. Ganus had made such a preposterous statement, surely someone
would have defended their Congressman right then and there.
Furthermore, several people have made out affidavits, and have
testified that they were there and that Dr. Ganus did not make the
statement attributed to him.[59]
_Harding College_
Because it has won for ten straight years the highest award of Freedoms
Foundation At Valley Forge, Harding College, a fully accredited
educational institution, has been known as the nation’s most honored
college. Freedoms Foundation has honored Harding College as the
nation’s No. 1 school in promoting the American way of life. On
February 9, 1962, the All-American Conference to Combat Communism, made
up of organizations whose combined membership is well over 50,000,000,
gave Harding College a citation.
The socialists have felt the impact of the College in its stand for
the traditional free enterprise system in America. This helps explain
the attack of Norman Thomas, the leading socialist in America, on the
College early in 1961.
The Communists have recognized that the College is a bulwark against
their designs on America, and thus they have attacked Harding College
and have falsely accused it of being “one of the biggest political
machines of the ultra-Right.”[60] This attack by the Communists is
in reality a tribute to Harding College. The Communists know who is
hurting them.
However, it must come as something of a shock that Senator Fulbright
from the State of Arkansas, should also attack Harding College as
a source of extremely radical rightwing teaching. And yet, this is
the label under which he secretly represented Harding College to the
President of the United States and to the Secretary of Defense.[61]
Harding College, located in the Senator’s home state, was the only
college attacked in the memorandum.
_Chamber of Commerce_
Senator Fulbright’s memorandum regarded the Strategy for Survival
Conferences as dominated by the extremely rightwing speakers.[62] The
Chamber of Commerce had sponsored this Conference. Thus the Chamber
of Commerce was involved in extreme rightwingism! It is of interest
that the Chamber of Commerce had tried to get Senator Fulbright, but
he was out of the country; and then Senator McClellan, and he was also
unavailable. It was then that they got Dr. Ganus.[63]
The memorandum also stated that General William C. Bullock had
personally persuaded the Chamber of Commerce to sponsor the Conference
in Little Rock. Peyton Rice, who is chairman of the Chamber’s Armed
Services Committee, said that General Bullock had not presented the
proposal to the Chamber.[64]
_House Committee_
The House Committee on Un-American Activities has not been perfect,
but neither has any other Committee. However, on the whole it has done
splendid work investigating and exposing the Communist conspiracy. If
Senator Fulbright had listened to the evidence presented in just the
1938 hearings of the Committee, he would have learned much truth about
communism. He would not have said in 1945 that “our fear of Russia
and communism” is a “powerful prejudice” which we must give up in
order to have peace. He would not have misread history and concluded
that Lenin’s revolution was in any sense a following of our example
in the revolution which we fought for our independence. The Senator
also said: “As I read history, the Russian experiment in socialism is
scarcely more radical, under modern conditions, than the Declaration
of Independence was in the days of George III.”[65] This sounds
somewhat like the statement of Earl Browder when he was head of the
Communist Party in America. “The Declaration of Independence was for
that time what _The Communist Manifesto_ is for ours.”[66] Lenin in his
resolution was basically following the _Communist Manifesto_.
As a Rhodes scholar, Senator Fulbright should have been able to read
_history_, instead of accepting such an obviously false view of
history. Senator Fulbright seems to have known either little or nothing
about Lenin’s revolution, or little or nothing about our revolution.
The kindest thing we can say about the Senator is that he was seemingly
ignorant of some very fundamental matters.
What are some of the differences between Lenin’s revolution and ours?
(1) Our revolution had as its objective the establishment of a reign of
law, but Lenin’s revolution was designed to establish the rule of the
head of the Communist Party who would rule according to his own will.
(2) Our revolution established a Republic, while Lenin’s established a
dictatorship. (3) Our revolution did not result in a reign of terror of
Americans over Americans, but Lenin’s revolution did establish a reign
of terror. (4) Our revolution did not have as its aim the establishment
of a world wide conspiracy which would endeavor to overthrow all other
governments—democratic governments as well as dictatorships. (5) Our
revolution was not a counter-revolution against self-government. Lenin
did not overthrow the Czar, he overthrew the Kerensky Government which
was endeavoring to establish a form of democracy. Lenin was not even
in Russia at the time the Czar abdicated. (6) Our revolution was over
in a very few years, in so far as establishing our form of government
is concerned. How long does it take to overthrow the previous regime?
As Kravchenko said “The French Terror was over in five years.”[67]
By 1945, when Senator Fulbright made his statement concerning Lenin’s
revolution, the Soviet terror had been going on for almost thirty
years. (7) The Communist revolution was not just a revolution in
government. It was a revolt against God, religion, morals and humanity.
Its aim has been, and is, to create a godless society and the new
Soviet man.
All of these things could have been known by Senator Fulbright in 1945
and long before. Communist books and actions had made abundantly clear
the nature of their revolution. Only a “powerful prejudice” could keep
a reader of their history from knowing the nature of Lenin’s revolution.
Also in 1945 the Senator was seemingly so misinformed about Communism
that he said: “I do not believe the Soviets desire to dominate the
world as the Germans did.”[68] Before Hitler came to power the Soviets
made clear their desire to rule the world. And their actions showed
that they meant it. The House Committee had pointed this out. So had
many individuals.
Senator Fulbright’s “powerful prejudice,” or whatever it was, against
the House Committee, however, is such that he objected because in one
of the meetings mentioned in the memorandum, someone defended the
House Committee.[69] Such a defense could hardly be called a matter
of partisan politics, since the House has supported the Committee
for years, and in 1961 the vote to give the Committee its full
appropriation was passed 412 to 6.[70]
“_Operation Abolition_”
The memorandum classified “Operation Abolition” as objectionable
material. Did the Senator want to censor this film? Is he a “film
burner”? Does he think that J. Edgar Hoover and the House Committee
were wrong in saying that the San Francisco riots were Communist
inspired, and that most of the young people were duped?[71]
_Herbert A. Philbrick_
Herbert A. Philbrick, of “I Led Three Lives” fame, was smeared by
Senator Fulbright as being an extremely radical rightwing speaker.[72]
Philbrick spent nine years as a counterspy for the FBI and for America.
He was commended by J. Edgar Hoover.[73] Philbrick has continued to
fight Communism. He has sacrificed much to do so. The Communists
have smeared him. And Senator Fulbright, without giving one shred of
documentation, smeared Philbrick. The Senator must be very, very far
to the left of Mr. Philbrick if from where the Senator is standing,
Philbrick looks to him like an extremely radical rightwinger.
_Dr. Fred Schwarz_
Billy Graham found good reason to commend the anti-communist work of
Dr. Fred Schwarz,[74] and _Life_ Magazine in an unprecedented action on
Oct. 17, 1961, apologized to Dr. Schwarz for their misinterpretation
of him and his work.[75] But Senator Fulbright has never apologized
for accusing, without giving one bit of proof, Dr. Schwarz of being
an extremely radical rightwinger. The Senator made this charge in his
secret memorandum, and without giving Dr. Schwarz an opportunity to
answer the accusation. Did the Senator wish to remain a “faceless”
accuser?
_Dr. Frank Barnett_
Dr. Frank Barnett, who was criticized more than once in the
memorandum,[76] has been commended by Secretary of Defense McNamara in
September, 1961 for an “excellent speech”[77] which contained some of
the ideas which Fulbright’s memorandum condemns.[78]
_The Institute for American Strategy_
As late as April 10, 1961, a National Military-Industrial Conference
sponsored by the Institute was commended by President Kennedy.[79]
These Conferences were criticized in the memorandum.[80]
_American Strategy for the Nuclear Age_
The Institute for American Strategy sponsored a book which was
prepared by the Foreign Policy Research Institute of the University of
Pennsylvania. This book is called _American Strategy for the Nuclear
Age_. The memorandum criticized this book and said that “its total
effect can be said to be contrary to the President’s program.”[81] The
book, among other things, brings out that the communists are at war
with us on many different levels, and that we ought to fight back and
win. Is this against the President’s program?
Among the contributors to the book are: J. Edgar Hoover, Hanson W.
Baldwin, Henry A. Kissinger, Lieut. General Arthur G. Trudeau, Walt W.
Rostow, Dean Acheson and David Sarnoff.
_233 Talks_
One Captain was mentioned in the memorandum as having given 233 talks
to civilians on the “dangers of internal communism.” As I do not know
what the Captain said, I do not know to what extent I would agree or
disagree with him. But the fact that he gave 233 talks is not within
itself a criticism. In fact, it shows that he was very zealous in
carrying out his oath to defend America against domestic enemies.
The Senator made at least seventy-five talks in Arkansas in the fall
of 1961, in the interest of _his_ re-election to office.[82] Doubtless
he will make other such talks. A man who is that zealous in behalf of
his own re-election to office ought not to be critical of a Captain for
making so many speeches for America and against the internal enemy—who
is also an external enemy—communism.
FOOTNOTES:
[35] _Congressional Record_, August 2, 1961, p. 13437, col. 3,t.
[36] _Ibid._, p. 13437, col. 1,b. President Eisenhower said:
“Accordingly, should departmental instructions be so phrased as unduly
to prohibit desirable military participation in these educational
efforts respecting the Communist menace, I suggest that your committee
recommend their restudy with view to appropriate revision. The Reds are
well aware of the integrity, patriotic motives, and high qualifications
of our military. I suspect they would be delighted if we should prevent
such people from spreading the truth about Communist imperialism.
“Pertaining at least indirectly to this subject, I have heard of
accusations alleging that military education is so narrow as to make
service personnel incapable of grasping the whole complex of dangers
confronting our country. It is hinted that the entire officer corps
has become politically infected, and prone to be disloyal to the
Commander in Chief. I, for one, want to be on record as expressing my
indestructible faith and pride in our armed services—even though their
loyalty, patriotism, and breadth of understanding needs no defense from
me or anyone else” (_Military Cold War Education and Speech Review
Policies_, Part 1, p. 7.)
“I believe, therefore, that your committee will render valuable service
by rejecting the recent spate of attacks upon the competence and
loyalty of the military and by disapproving any effort to thrust them,
so to speak, behind an American iron curtain, ordered to stand mutely
by as hostile forces tirelessly strive to undermine every aspect of
American life.” (_ibid._, p. 7).
Admiral Arthur W. Radford also thought that the military ought to
be used in the cold war. He further emphasized that attacks on the
military could hurt morale and that it was the duty of civilian
authorities to defend the military against “unwarranted and unjust
civilian attacks” (_ibid._, part 2, pp. 707-708).
[37] _Congressional Record_, August 2, 1961, p. 13437, col. 3,t.
[38] _Congressional Record_, August 3, 1961, p. 13517, col. 2,m.
[39] Quoted in _Human Events_, 1961, p. 867. Lt. Gen. Edward M.
Almond wrote: “Fulbright’s thesis ignores the fact that last year
there were 1,521 officers of the armed services engaged in studies at
civilian institutions of higher learning which dealt with educational,
scientific, economic, and political subjects; these all have a
relation to national strategy. In addition to this number there are
some 2,918 other officers engaged in special studies in languages,
medical sciences, engineering sciences and management courses. This
thesis in the Fulbright memorandum further ignores the fact that
each year some 500 officers of senior grade attend the service war
colleges and universities where they study the very topic that the
nuclear age demands solution of. This topic is studied intensively.
Furthermore, the Fulbright thesis ignores the fact that nowhere is
there such an intensive study made to prepare any politician (before or
after his election to office) for the task ‘to put their own ultimate
solutions into proper perspective in the President’s total strategy
for the nuclear age.’” (_Military Cold War Education and Speech Review
Policies_, Part 2, p. 714.)
[40] _Congressional Record_, August 2, 1961, p. 13437, col. 2,b.
[41] Quoted in the _Congressional Record_, June 12, 1961, p. 9404, col.
2,m.
[42] Reprinted from the July 24, 1961 issue of the _News and Courier_,
Charleston, S. C., _Congressional Record_, July 31, 1961, p. 13177,
col. 3,b.
[43] _Congressional Record_, September 15, 1961, p. 18455, col.
2,b.-3,t.
[44] _Congressional Record_, August 2, 1961, p. 13402, col. 1,b.-2,t.
[45] _Congressional Record_, April 26, 1951, p. 4402, col. 2,m.
[46] _Ibid._, p. 4402, col. 2,t.
[47] _Ibid._, February 8, 1960, p. 1978, col. 3,b.
[48] _Congressional Record_, August 2, 1961, p. 13437, col. 2,t.
[49] Speech before the Arkansas Chamber of Commerce, Little Rock, Nov.
8, 1961. _Arkansas Gazette_, Nov. 9, 1961, p. 2A.
[50] _Congressional Record_, July 27, 1961, p. A5795, col. 1-2. Japan’s
view of MacArthur is illustrated in the fact that Japan gave him their
“highest decoration for foreigners,” _Congressional Record_, June 25,
1960, p. A5518, col. 2,b.
[51] Quoted in the _Congressional Record_, August 19, 1949, p. A5439.
[52] _Congressional Record_, January 25, 1949, pp. 532-533.
[53] As quoted in the _Congressional Record_, August 8, 1962, p.
A6084, col. 1,t. See Speaker McCormack’s tribute in the _Congressional
Record_, August 16, 1962, p. A6243. Even the _Arkansas Gazette_ paid
tribute to him. Editorial, August 19, 1962.
[54] _Congressional Record_, August 2, 1961, p. 13437, col. 2,t.
[55] The Fulbright memorandum quoted a statement of Dr. Benson
concerning the John Birch Society. It is important, however, to realize
that this statement was made at a time when Dr. Benson was not aware of
the radical positions which Mr. Robert Welch had taken on some matters.
These radical positions Dr. Benson repudiates. Furthermore, his
commendation was of their stated long-range purpose “to work for less
government, more responsibility and a better world,” and their purpose
to inform citizens concerning communism. Is Senator Fulbright against
these aims?
[56] _Congressional Record_, August 2, 1961, p. 13438, col. 1,b.
[57] See his open letter of July 25, 1961 to Congressman Trimble.
[58] _The Reporter_ article has been reprinted in the Senate Internal
Security Subcommittee, _The New Drive Against the Anti-Communist
Program_, pp. 57-63.
[59] _Arkansas Gazette_, December 28, 1961, p. 3A.
[60] Mike Newberry, _The Worker_, August 13, 1961, p. 5, col. 1,m.
[61] _Congressional Record_, August 2, 1961, pp. 13438-13439.
[62] _Ibid._, p. 13438, col. 1,t.
[63] _Arkansas Gazette_, August 6, 1961.
[64] _Arkansas Gazette_, August 6, 1961.
[65] James William Fulbright, “The Price of Peace Is The Loss of
Prejudices”, _Vogue_, July, 1945. Reprinted in Louise E. Rorabacher,
_Assignments in Exposition_. New York: Harper and Brothers, 1946, pp.
197-198.
[66] _What Is Communism?_ pp. 19-20.
[67] _I Chose Justice_, New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1950, p. 137.
[68] As reprinted in Louise E. Rorabacher, _Assignments in Exposition_,
p. 198.
[69] _Congressional Record_, August 2, 1961, pp. 13438-13439. William
F. Buckley, Jr., has announced the publication of a study of _The
Committee and Its Critics_. “National Review”, 150 E. 35th St., New
York 16, N.Y.
[70] _Ibid_, June 22, 1961, p. A4722.
[71] See J. Edgar Hoover, _Communist Target—Youth_. Washington:
Government Printing Office, 1960. House Committee on Un-American
Activities. _The Truth About the Film “Operation Abolition.”_
Washington: Government Printing Office, 961, parts 1,2.
[72] _Congressional Record_, August 2, 1961, p. 13439, col. 1,t.
We wish that the Senator had been well read enough to have known that
a decade ago Mr. Philbrick warned Americans against becoming extremely
radical rightwingers! “The most important single thing is to avoid
behaving the way a Communist says the individual must behave in a
capitalist society. If the Communist had his way, he would force all
non-Communists to the extreme right, toward fascism and state control.”
(_I Led Three Lives_, New York: McGraw-Hill Book Co., Inc., 1952, p.
300). “If we adhere to our traditional American dream of a society of
freedom, of personal rather than state responsibility, of individual as
well as collective intelligence, and of civil rights rather than rigid
civil controls, then we will have disproved the Communist theory of the
inevitability of capitalist deterioration.” (_ibid._, p. 301).
[73] On the back of the jacket of Mr. Philbrick’s book.
[74] See jacket of Dr. Schwarz’s book _You Can Trust the Communists_,
Englewood, N.J.: Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1960.
[75] _Arkansas Gazette_, October 18, 1961, p. 5A.
[76] _Congressional Record_, August 2, 1961, p. 13439, col. 2,t.
_Ibid._ pp. 13436, col. 3,b., 13439-13440.
[77] Committee on Armed Services, _Defense Secretary McNamara on S.
Res. 191_, Washington, D.C., Government Printing Office, p. 152.
[78] See the entire speech reprinted in _Defense Secretary McNamara on
S. Res. 191_. pp. 154-162.
[79] Quoted in _Congressional Record_, August 10, 1961, p. 14405, col.
3,t. A copy of the program of that Conference is reprinted beginning on
p. 14405, col. 3,b.
[80] _Congressional Record_, August 2, 1961, pp. 13439-13441.
[81] _Ibid._, p. 13436, col. 3,b.
[82] _Arkansas Gazette_, July 11, 1962.