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'40
4r
i;o. 67
BRITISH S.TBAS3Y,
.Awia.OTON, D.C.
January 17th, 1940.
My Lord,
ith reference to my despatch
'to. 1254 of the 11th   ove^cber last I have the
honour to transmit to Your Lordship herewith
oooies of the report submitted to Sonrreca by
the louse Committee on un-American activities.
The report recapitulates the conclusions
reached by the Committee after a year and a
half's work, and suggests that they be allowed
to continue their investigation for a further
period.
2. The introductory part of the
report sets forth the general principles involved
in the Committee's work.       These are, in their
own words, "to prevent the growth or spread of
influence of any organisation or group which
seeks to undermine deraocraoy and substitute
dictatorship of whatever sort for it",   but also
to recognise that "it is at least equally important
that in combating subversive groups of this
character nothing bo done which would undermine
the fundamental structure of constitutional
liberty itself".       In accordance with the first
principle the Committee represent their task as
having been to bring publicity to bear on the
/various
Ths Bight Honourable
The Visoount Kalifax,
etc.,    etc., etc.
v
4 * *
L:NB:CB:AR:DH:KIP
various extremist groups existing in the United
states.       Recognition of the seoond principle
seems to have been the wain reason why they have
refrained from recommending any legislation
which would specifically prohibit such groups
from continuing their activities.       They content
themselves with urging the authorities vigorously
to prosecute any breaches of the existing law
which un-American organisations nirht commit,
and imply that in their belief the weapon of
exposure and publicity are sufficient to keep
these organisations In check.
3. uch of the evidence presented
at the Committee's public hearings has been
reported in previous despatches from this Embassy.
The summary of the evidence which is to be found
In the body of the report is able and unbiassed,
and it Is possible to accept without reservation
both the description of the organisation of the
different groups and the Committee's estimate of
their joint and several importance.       The latter
is presented In a statistical form in the last
paragraph of the report, as follows: *Hp
believe that the co nittoo would render a
disservice to the ::ation if it left the
impression in its report that there is anything
in the present situation to cause anyone to lose
faith in the American people as a whole or their
devotion to their basic institutions. Indoed,
one of the greatest facts of all that should be
/recorded
their belief that in view of recent events "it is
reasonable to expect that there will take place a
sharp reduction not only in the influence exerted
by the Communist Party in the United States but
also in the number of people adhering to it",
5, The German-American Bund is set
in the forefront of the section devoted to ":azi-
Fascist organisations.        As I have reported
elsewhere, the imprisonment of Fritz Kuhn has been
a blow to the t>restive of the 3und from which it is
not likely to recover, and the   azis may be
expected to turn their attention to other less
obvious channels through which to influence the
German-American population.       The emphasis placed
on the Bund in this report is due first to the
fact that the evidence has proved it to be the
instrument of a foreign ^overnnent and secondly to
the oo-operntion which the Committee has found to
exist between it and certain of the innumerable
other organisations of a Fascist or anti-Soraitic
character that exist or have existed in this
country during the last few years.       As the
Committee point out, these organisations spring up
overnight and are replaced by others with a name
which is thought to have a more popular appeal.
The words "Christian",    "patriotic'* and "American"
are most often used for thi3 purpose.       -iome are
the creations of genuine would-be ?uhrers and
others are simply raechanisms for extracting money
from the gullible.       Attempts have been made by
the leaders of various groups to bring about a
/consolidation
their belief that in view of recent events "it is
reasonable to expect that there will take place a
sharp reduction not only in the influence exerted
by the Communist Party in the United Statue but
also in the number of people adhering to it".
5- The German-American l?und is set
in the forefront of the section devoted to ;azi-
Fascist organisations.        As I have reported
elsewhere, the imprisonment of Fritz ruhn has been
a blow to the prestige of the Bund from which it is
not likely to recover, and the   azis may be
expected to turn their attention to other less
obvious channels through which to influence the
German-American population.       The emphasis placed
on the Bund in this report is due first to the
fact that the evidence has proved it to be the
instrument of a foreign government and secondly to
the oo-operntion which the Committee has found to
exist between it and certain of the innumerable
other organisations of a Fascist or anti-;3e.*nitic
oharacter that exist or have existed in this
country durinr- the last few years.       As the
Committee point out, these organisations spring up
overnight and are replaced by others with a name
which Is thourht to have a more popular appeal.
The words "Christian",    "patriotic- and "American"
are most often used for thi3 purpose.       Some are
the creations of genuine would-be Fuhrers and
others are simply mechanisms for extracting money
from the gullible.       Attempts have been made by
the leaders of various groups to bring about a
/consolidation