Mr. President. I have been anxiously hoping for final favorable action. in the Judiciary Committee and on the floor. on the issue of the Watkins immigration bill. S. 1917. to fulfill the Presidents program for emergency admission of refugees and escapees. The days are fast running out in this first session of the 83d Congress. It would be tragic. indeed. if we were to conclude our work without passing this humanitarian bill. or if we were to pass an emasculated bill. Our country has arrived at a turning point in historyat a great moment when. through psychological warfare. we can press our advantage. One of the finest means to do so is to send word behind the Iron Curtain that our doors are not closed to the refugees and escapees. but rather that we are willing to welcome reasonable numbers of those who we are sure are genuine partisans of the cause of freedom. In all the discussions of this subject reference has most often been made to the various people from the satellite states. But what of the Russian people themselves who so desperately long for freedom? There are few sources better qualified to comment on the Russian people themselves than the Tolstoy Foundation. Recently Alexandra Tolstoy. the foundations president. wrote to me. She pointed out that the continued plight of the refugees in the inadequate camps which have been set up for them is one to stir the hearts of all free peoples. particularly the plight of the youngsters in their group. I wrote back. stating that I. for one. very definitely agreed. and I further pledged my efforts on behalf of the Watkins bill. I took the occasion. however. to ask her to comment on one issue in which I know she is particularly interested. namely adequate screening of the refugees. She has now replied in detail. The President of the United States has asked for the passage of S. 1917.
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immigration refugees