Fraternity-Testvériség, 1941 (19. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1941-12-01 / 12. szám
TESTVÉRISÉG 9 TÖRTÉNELMI ESEMÉNYEK SODRÁBAN Az Amerikai Magyar Szövetség és Függetlenségi Mozgalom közleményei POLICY REGARDING “FREE MOVEMENTS” IN THE UNITED STATES Official for the Press from the Department of the State, December 10, 1941. No. 600. The following is the policy of the Department of State towards the activities of foreign political leaders in the United States: “The military occupation by Axis powers of many areas and countries in Europe has led to the destruction of a number of governments and to domination by the Axis over a number of other governments. “As a result, political leaders assuming to represent the peoples of such countries, or various groups in them, have been coming to the United States in increasing numbers. It seems advisable to make clear the attitude of this Government towards them and towards their political activities in the United States. “The United States is composed of citizens from many national backgrounds. Despite a natural interest in their country of origin, all American citizens of whatever background owe, and have, an undivided allegiance to the United States. This is in no way inconsistent with the pride which they naturally take in the cultural, artistic and sipiritual contributions made to American life by citizens of their national background, and made to civilization by the countries from which they or their ancestors may have come. The Government of the United States does not look with favor on any activities designed to divide the allegiance of any group of American residents between the United States and any foreign government, in existence or in prospect. The first concern of the United States must always be the unity of the country, based on the American way of life and the ideal of liberty many times invoked since its first statement in our Declaration of Independence. “In harmony with the basic principles of liberty, the people of the United States do have a sympathetic interest in movements by aliens in this country who desire to liberate their countries from Axis domination. “The Department of State is glad to be informed of the plans and proposed activities of such Tree movements’ and of organizations representing such movements. It will be realized that agents of foreign principals, including agents of foreign governments or committees, are required to register with the State Department under existing law. Such registration does not indicate either approval or disapproval of the organization so registered. “In general the Government of the United States does not favor ‘free movements’ or groups representing such movements which carry on activities contrary to the established policies, domestic or foreign, of the Government of the United States; and prefers that the governing committees of such movements shall be composed of citizens of the foreign country, rather than of American sympathizers. It disapproves of any attempt to enlist the support of American citizens of like racial background on the theory that they are ‘fellow nationals,’ though it recognizes that because of a common race background American citizens acting as Americans and with full allegiance to the United States may nevertheless be sympathetic to the national aspirations of their country of racial origin, and may organize in sympathetic and friendly support of such aspirations. • “The Department has taken cognizance of the existence of a number of committees representing free movements; but has not extended any form of recognition to them, formal or informal. The Department has not sought to influence any resident alien or any American citizen in determining whether or not it is desirable for him to associate himself with the support of any such free movement or any organization designed for that end.” An officer of the Department, Mr. Harold B. Hoskins, has been assigned to keep informed on the activities of these movements.
