The Trojan Horse in America

IN these days of ‘fifth columns’ the problem of a democratic government’s attitude toward totalitarian minorities has become more perplexing. Voltaire himself might have been hesitant about defending to the death the civil liberties of an opponent who not only disagreed with him but was clearly disposed to knock Voltaire on the head. Philosophic doubt is not a characteristic of the Honorable Martin Dies; and his book, which is largely a summary of the testimony before his Committee, ends with a series of strong recommendations for the outlawry of organizations which are linked to totalitarian régimes, for the deportation of aliens and stricter control over their admission, for a purge of ‘left-wingers’ from government posts. Mr. Dies probably has an overdeveloped scent for subversive herrings, especially red ones. His book is almost entirely devoted to Communist activity, with very brief notes on Nazi and Fascist groups and organizations. He proves conclusively enough that the American Communists are obedient henchmen of Stalin, that they often resort to disreputable intrigues and create a variety of ‘false fronts’ into which some gullible non-Communists are lured. But there is a consistent note of exaggeration, as when he likens the present activities of the Communists to an invasion of America by ‘one hundred and fifty divisions of uniformed Soviet troops,’ headed by Stalin in person.