Foreign Relations of the United States, 1950, Central and Eastern Europe; The Soviet Union, Volume IV

London Embassy Files: Lot 59 F 59: 350.21 Communism: Telegram

The Chargé in the United Kingdom (Holmes) to the Secretary of State ¹

secret

London, September 28, 1950—7 p. m.

1872. UK press today carried Attlee² letter to Brit Peace Committee re forthcoming Peace Congress in Sheffield to be held Nov 13–19,³ in which he made points that in this free country there is no power to prohibit proposed Congress providing no UK laws infringed, but that applications from foreigners to attend it will be dealt with on individual merits and HMG must reserve right to refuse admission to any foreigner who is persona non grata and concludes “The Govt are, however, not prepared in any event to allow foreigners to come to the UK for the purpose of organizing the Congress”.⁴

Inquiry at FonOff indicates that ways have been sought for preventing Nov Congress but no practicable means available in view of large number delegates and lack of knowledge of purposes of persons entering country. However HMG is determined to prevent meeting of advance organizing body and have refused visas to 3 Russians including Ehrehburg, and some French and other nationals not requiring visas who arrived at UK airport, were refused entry permit and had to return.

FonOff explained they are not worried about effects of Congress on UK which can “absorb” such an affair, but are apprehensive about international effect such as identification of UK with possible World Peace appeal, etc. Also understand Cabinet has under consideration further means of hampering eventual Congress actions, although doubtful whether sufficient legislation exists to do so effectively.⁵ Brit Peace Committee sent letter to PriMin Sept 26 protesting against intention of HMG to prevent meeting in Britain of Congress preparatory commission.

While PM letter above mentioned is most unusual, there is thus far no adverse press comment except in Daily Worker.

Holmes

1. Repeated to Moscow as 66, to Paris as 531.
2. British Prime Minister Clement Attlee.
3. Regarding the Congress under reference here, see the memorandum of September 22 from Assistant Secretary Perkins to the Secretary of State, supra.
4. Following British refusal to permit its members to meet in the United Kingdom, the Preparatory Committee for the Second World Peace Congress held meetings in Praha, Czechoslovakia, from October 3 to October 5 and from October 15 to October 18. A report on those meetings was transmitted to the Department of State in despatch 104, October 19, from Praha, not printed (700.001/10–1950).
5. Telegram 2601, November 4, from London, not printed, reported that the British Foreign Office had informed the Embassy that the British Government had decided to adopt a stiff attitude in dealing with visa applications from delegates to the proposed “Peace Congress” in Sheffield. British authorities had discovered that many of the component groups in the Congress were engaging in subversive activities and were planning to misuse British hospitality were they permitted to enter the country. Consequently, the British Government intended to stall on visa applications and finally refuse a substantial number at a date when it would be too late for other delegates to be substituted. (741.00/11–450) Telegram 2745, November 10, from London, not printed, reported that many of the principal delegates to the Congress were being refused entrance into Britain, and only 500 or 600 participants would be permitted from abroad (700.001/11–1050). On November 12 it was announced that the Congress would not be held in Sheffield but would instead open in Warsaw, Poland, on November 16. Telegram 2818, November 14, from London, not printed, reported that a protest meeting had been held in Sheffield the previous evening by the remaining Peace Congress participants whom the Embassy described as “confused, spirits dampened by rain as well as event, sunk in sulky gloom.” (700.001/11–1450)