Speech #840150423

Speaker. most Americans have been unaware of a type of Communist activity which has been successful far beyond the belief of the average citizen in a democratic country. During the 13 months ending January 31. 1956. more than 1.000 persons who had originally sought refuge from communism in the West voluntarily returned behind the Iron Curtain. These redefections show the astounding success which the shrewd and persistent Communist apparatus in Western Europe an1 the United States has had in seeking out refugees from Eastern Europe and playing upon their economic and social difficulties to induce them to return to their former homes. An article from the New York Times of March 28. which I shall include with my remarks. underscores the jolting defeats which Communist propaganda has been dealing the democracies on this score and also enumerates countermeasures suggested by a commission of the International Rescue Committee under Gen. William J. Donovan. The Departments of State and Justice should consider these proposals. and the Members of Congress should give serious thought to easing immigration barriers for refugees from Eastern Europe in order to diminish the despair that overtakes occupants of dismal refugee camps in Western Germany. In a letter to the President. the American Council of Voluntary Agencies for Foreign Service. Inc.. which comprises the religious. nationality and welfare agencies most active in refugee work. has recommended that our basic immigration law be amended to take care of escapees from behind the Iron Curtain after the expiration of the present Refugee Relief Act of 1953. The same letter. signed by Monsignor Swanstrom of the National Catholic Welfare Conference on February 16. 1956. recommends the cancellation of the mortgage on quotas for Eastern European countries occasioned by the Displaced Persons Act of 1948. Such action would be of "value in the future. particularly for persons fleeing from Iron Curtain countries. the letter said.