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From The Militant, Vol. 12 No. 52>
From The Militant, Vol. 1227 December 1948, p. 1. NEW YORK, Dec. 22 – American labor, acting in its own interests, must vigorously intervene to support the appeal of the Indonesian Republic for aid in its struggle against the Dutch imperialists – this was the crux of telegrams sent out today by James P. Cannon, SWP National Secretary, to three of the most prominent labor leaders in the United States: John L. Lewis of the Miners, Philip Murray of the CIO and William Green of the AFL. In the name of the SWP, Cannon called upon organized labor to protest Washington’s failure to halt all financial and military aid which continues to reach the Dutch in the shape of ECA Shipments. In conclusion, Cannon pledged the fullest cooperation of the SWP “in such a campaign of international solidarity.” He proposed that the labor leaders initiate a nationwide campaign to help the Indonesian cause by boycotting Dutch goods and halting all war shipments to Holland. Full text of identical telegrams to Lewis, Murray and Green follows: “The Dutch government stands branded before world public opinion as a government of colonial enslavers and imperialist butchers. American organized labor cannot afford to stand idly by while these despots press their war against the Indonesian people. The victory of tyrants in remotest corners of this earth strengthens the hands of labor’s enemies here in America. To ignore this fact is to endanger the vital interests of the American people. “Labor must protest the policy of the Administration in Washington whereby the Dutch have been permitted to use American loans and grants and materials against the Indonesian fighters for freedom. The Indonesian government has officially requested the United States government to ‘discontinue rendering American dollars to the Netherlands under the European Recovery Program or otherwise’ and to ‘render its full political and economic support to the Republic of Indonesia.’ The mere suspension of Marshall Plan Aid to the Dutch East Indies is not. enough. All aid to the Dutch imperialists must be cut off, as the Indonesians demand.” Main Militant Index | Main Newspaper Index Last updated on 28 March 2023
Transcribed & marked up by Einde O’Callaghan for ETOL.
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