Montana Labor News

FIGHT REACTION'S ANTI-SOVIET CAMPAIGN IS URGED

NEW YORK.—(FP)—The people must organize to combat powerful forces of reaction which are already setting the stage for a third world war, Sidney Hillman, honorary chairman of the National Citizens Political Action Committee warned here.

Speaking at a dinner in honor of himself and Elmer A. Benson, new chairman of the NCPAC executive council, Hillman declared that American reactionaries are trying to make the victory over Nazism a hollow victory by "undermining and sapping away the unity of the United Nations—the people's greatest source of strength in their struggle for peace and freedom."

"Today," he said they concentrate on driving a wedge between our country and the Soviet Union. They assiduously sow the seeds of suspicion and distrust of our great ally. They try to dull our memory of Russia's priceless and heroic contribution to our common victory."

Warning that this campaign has not been without effect, Hillman said: "It is the task of all progressive and peace-loving Americans to expose and defeat this campaign which has the Soviet Union as its immediate target but which threatens the very foundation on which we hope to erect an enduring peace, international cooperation for an economy of plenty and true democracy for all the peoples."

Through the Hopkins and Davies missions to Moscow and London, President Truman has made an important contribution to Anglo-American-Soviet understanding and has helped cement the cracks which began to appear in our wartime unity. This constructive step merits and should receive our full and wholehearted support.

Benson, former governor of Minnesota and head of the Farmer-Labor party, echoed Hillman's warning. "The death of President Roosevelt has placed upon all of us an increased responsibility," he said. "With Roosevelt gone, reaction and special interests are confident in the belief that they can seize once more the reins of national power. Already we have witnessed a vicious attack on the Soviet Union and on the Roosevelt foreign policy, which for savageness, deliberate incitement and plain lies has been unparalleled."

Winning a storm of applause, Benson said: There is a need for a citizens organization, like National Citizens Committee, which can speak for millions of Americans and say to our State department that we are interested in seeing democratic governments established in Greece, Italy, Spain, Argentina, Portugal and in the Philippines. We must be united in our demand that the American foreign policy be the fulfillment of the aspirations of the people. We have no interest in the preservation of doddering prewar empires, or in the construction of imperial schemes for our own country."

A strong people's organization is also needed to speak out against abandonment of war plants like Willow Run and lack of planning for 60 million jobs, to fight for speedy prosecution of the war guilty, to help unite farmers and workers, Benson said.

Admitting that the people had relaxed their vigilance after November 7, Benson said the NCPAC must begin working now to assure the election of a progressive Congress in 1946. The majority of this nation is with us, as it was on Nov. 7, 1944," he declared. The proof of that is overwhelming and apparent on every side. Equally apparent is the fact that this great strength has not been used, that reaction seized the opportunity presented by Franklin D. Roosevelt's death and has made great strides. We must respond to the challenge of history. We must see the policies of Franklin D. Roosevelt carried out here and abroad."

Senator Charles W. Tobey (R.-N. H.), third main speaker of the evening, called the current anti-Soviet campaign "dangerous and ill-considered." "Those who," he said, "for selfish reasons, play such a game, contravene the constructive efforts of San Francisco and endanger the hopes of millions that order and peace and world cooperation can be set up. This is no time to rock the boat."