Article 16 of the Austrian state treaty provides: Austria undertakes * * * to take all necesssary measures to complete the voluntary repatriation of displaced persons within its territory * * * to permit the accredited representatives of any allied or associated power (Communist government of Poland is an allied and associated power) to visit freely such camps or centers for the purpose of conferring with its nationals * * * to prohibit in such camps or centers any propaganda hostile to the interests of the allied and associated powers and any activities designed to induce such displaced persons not to return to the countries of which they are nationals * * * to dissolve immediately any committee. center. or other similar organizations existing in those camps and assembly centers that may be found to be engaged in activities opposed to the interests of the allied and associated powers. Furthermore. paragraph 5 of article 16 provides: No relief shall be given by Austria to persons who refuse to return to their native countries * * * (who) are engaged in hostile activities against their countries of origin * * * or are members of organizations and groups which encourage displaced persons not to return to their countries of origin. If article 16 were followed. it would mean that among others some 3.000 Polish refugees in Austria could be forced back into Communistcontrolled Poland. A saving factor is that the draft treaty must be approved by Britain. France. and the United States before it can become operative. We must take advantage of this and do everything in our power to eliminate the refugee provisions from the treaty and thus save 3.000 Polish and 27.000 other displaced persons from the prospective Soviet slavery or death. Time is of utmost importance in this matter. as the talks between the Western Powers. the Soviets. and Austria on the validation of the Austrian state treaty may commence any day. Immediate action is needed. It would seem to me that American consent to article 16 runs against the traditions not only of Poland but also of America. This is not only a fight to save Polish and other refugees in Austria. but also a fight to prevent a tremendous Soviet victory and the defeat of the United States in the cold war of ideas and morals. For if the refugee provisions of article 16 of the Austrian treaty is accepted by the United States. our antiSoviet efforts will become worthless. as our action would do irreparable damage to our reputation as defenders of liberty and human rights. I hope that our Government will show some backbone and prevail upon the British and French Governments not to accept the refugee provisions of article 16 of the Austrian state treaty. To the people of Poland on this day of commemoration of liberty and constitutional government. all America expresses the hope that one day the same rights and ideals enshrined in the constitution of 1791 will be realized and that Poland will again be free. Through the various instruments of our Government. particularly the Voice of America. we Americans can make this hope known to the Polish people.
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refugee refugees