March 9, 1949
Meeting of the American Federation of Labor's International Labor Relations Committee with the Secretary.
The Secretary, Mr. Lucius Battle, S/S, Mr. Cleon O. Swayzee, ILS Department of State. Mr. William Green, President, Mr. George Delaney, Int'l Representative, Mr. George Meany, Secy.-Treasurer Mr. Matthew Woll, Chairman, International Labor Relations Committee, Mr. William Doherty, Vice President Miss Forence Thorn, Economist Mr. Jay Lovestone, Int'l Consultant (All of the American Federation of Labor)
ITP NEA - Mr. Sattherwaite S/S FE - Mr. Butterworth EUR - Mr. Hickerson E - Mr. Nitze ARA - Mr. Daniels
Mr. Woll read a prepared statement which included the following six recommendations:
1. That this Government provide arms and enter into a defensive military alliance against totalitarian aggression which may threaten friendly nations in Europe, Asia or elsewhere. In this connection they gave strong endorsement to the projected North Atlantic Pact.
2. That the United States delegation to the United Nations should give full support to the AF of L's 1948 Convention resolution which would make it "a crime against international law and an act of aggression against the peace/for/any government to organize or support (directly or indirectly) any fifth column or fifth column activities in any country with which it is at peace." Recent arrests in New York were cited.
3. That the Western Zones in Germany be integrated into an independent German state and that greatest care should be taken to avoid the assignment of "friends and supporters of German militarism and Nazism" to posts of managerial responsibility in the Ruhr iron and steel operations. They proposed further that with respect to the Ruhr both American and bona fide German free trade unionists be accorded adequate representation in its management.
4. That this Government condemn assaults against human liberty in France & Spain by indiscriminate arrests and executions of free trade unionists and genuine liberals; and that this Government make clear its disapproval of all proposals to lend military aid or financial assistance to the "totalitarian dictatorship now terrorizing the Spanish people."
5. That this Government should express vigorous opposition to "the totalitarian depredations against democracy and free trade unionism now rampant in Venezuela and Peru."
6. That this Government include representatives of the U.S. trade union movement in its delegations to ECOSOC and the General Assembly; and that the Secretary designate "as an integral part of the political offices or to be attached to the Under Secretary of State" someone to maintain close liaison with the AFL.
The Secretary responded by expressing appreciation for the AF of L's interest in international affairs and for its efforts in behalf of free trade unionism, especially in Europe. He referred to the recent split in the World Federation of Trade Unions and indicated his interest in a new free democratic international labor organization. The Secretary referred also to the meeting to be held in May in Indore, India for the purpose of forming a free democratic Asian Federation of Labor, and encouraged the AF of L to send a representative to that meeting. This suggestion was followed by the Secretary's description of the importance of India and the Southeast Asian area to the reconstruction of a peaceful and prosperous world.
The Secretary expressed appreciation for AF of L support of the North Atlantic Pact and spoke a few minutes on its significance and importance. He expressed complete agreement with the underlying objectives of the AF of L in connection with fifth column activities and the Franco regime. He indicated, however, that he was still uncertain in his own mind as to the best methods of achieving these objectives. With respect to fifth column activities the Secretary pointed out that it was difficult to develop restrictions which might not in some way be used against this Government's attempts to preach the gospel of democracy to peoples all over the world. With respect to Spain, he expressed strong disapproval of indiscriminate harassing of trade unionists under the guise of an anti-Communist program. While making no direct answer to the question of economic assistance to Spain the Secretary pointed out many of the difficulties that might be encountered if some measure of economic warfare were to be conducted against the Franco Regime.
The Secretary expressed general approval of the idea of labor representation at international conferences and reminded the AF of L representatives that provision had been made for inclusion of an AF of L representative in the delegation to the Rio Conference which has been postponed.
The Secretary then indicated that he would like to have an opportunity to study the AF of L proposals before making further comment. He expressed the conviction that it was of great importance that the Department of State and the AF of L work in close cooperation; that the work of one was needed to supplement the work of the other. He indicated that there were a good many ways in which representatives of the American labor movement could be more effective than government representatives in achieving our common goals in international affairs.
A copy of the statement is attached.
ITP:ILS:COSwayzee;jk