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"At
meal times one meets civilian correspondents, military and civilian
intelligence personnel, along with Army, Navy, and Air Force officers; and
practically everyone of them is a mine of information and greatly interested
in a discussion about communism. All the standard delusions about the enemy
are as rampant as in the U.S. with the distinguishing difference here, as in
British Guiana, that the people are very willing to listen and learn. This
is due in considerable degree to the presence of an acute and frustrating
military and political situation in each one’s everyday practical
experience. At breakfast, for example, I conversed with a correspondent of
an Army and Navy newspaper and a lieutenant-colonel of the Air Force. The
latter invited me to visit with him further, and I intend to give him a copy
of your book. The principle of ‘each one recruit one’ is particularly
fruitful in this kind of situation.
"One finds
partisans of every position we encounter so often. I will discuss a few of
them.
"1) The Positive
Approach: The head of the medical service inclines to this view. He is one
of the most acute, well-informed, sensitive and capable persons I have met.
He is a thoracic surgeon and is emotionally and medically oriented to the
care of people. The medical analogy that just as a pathologist is needed to
defeat disease, so experts on communism are needed to defeat communism, was
a new concept to him."
NOTE: We define the
positive approach as the argument that communism can be defeated by the
creation of economic and social well-being alone. We believe this is the
equivalent to saying that poliomyelitis could be defeated by good nutrition
and vitamin therapy alone.
"2) The
Convergence Theory: The colonel is a proponent of this thesis. The fact that
the communist use of incentives and capitalistic methods dates back to Lenin’s
days was simply unknown to him, and the dialectical pathway to the
unchanging goal was a totally new concept."
NOTE: The
convergence theory is widely held and teaches that the economic system
and consequently the political systems of Russia and America are converging.
It claims that Russia is constantly becoming more capitalistic as shown by
the recent adoption of profit incentives, while America is becoming more
socialistic and consequently the conflict between Russia and America is
diminishing and will disappear.
"3) The Swamp
Theory: This is ardently advocated and firmly held by many. It dropped as
casually from the lips of one doctor as the simple observation that there is
water in the ocean. My observation that Cuba offers evidence to refute this
theory was dismissed with the statement, ‘Well, I don’t know much about
Cuba.’"
NOTE: We have given the
name the swamp theory to the doctrine that communism is caused by bad
economic conditions and social injustice. It is taken from the medical
analogy that at one time it was universally believed the disease of malaria
was caused by the bad air that came from swamps. This theory ignored the
role of the mosquito and the malarial parasite just as the swamp theory
of the causation of communism ignores the role of the communist agitator and
the fellow traveler.
"This has forcibly
brought home to me how dependent we are on the channels of communication and
how little can be learned from the personal observations of one person in a
limited time. Whether we are advancing or retreating or merely holding our
own is in itself a subject of heated controversy. I am inclined to view it
at the moment (and this is speculative) that we are just holding our own.
"This is a
fascinating experience, and I hope and pray that in the long run it will be
a fruitful one; Medically–this will depend on the extent to which we can
teach basic principles and practical skills to the Vietnamese people.
Strategically–it will depend on the extent to which we succeed in teaching
people in far greater depth the real nature of communism."
With great insight Dr.
Sluis has pinpoiinted one area of tremendous need–education concerning
communism. In many respects the American fighting man has the best equipment
in the world, but all his magnificent armament may be wasted if he does not
understand the nature of the enemy and how he thinks and works. Here is a
great gap that can and should be filled.
One way in which we can
help do this is suggested in the following letter:
"Lee Evans – Investments
"January 13, 1966
"Dear Fred,
"It occurred to me that you might like to consider placing a copy of
your book You Can Trust The Communists in the hands of every American
soldier in South Vietnam.
"Our fighting men
there would certainly be in a frame of mind to benefit from the basic
knowledge of communism afforded them through reading your book. Many of them
would probably continue their communist studies and return to the United
States to offer strong leadership in anti-communist work.
"Obviously, you
are better qualified to assess the results of the above mentioned action
than I am. It is very easy to speculate upon a possibility of a great
anti-communist movement arising from providing this information to those
boys in South Vietnam. The benefits to our cause could be unlimited.
"Sincerely,
"Lee Evans"
We are willing and
eager to supply a copy of "You Can Trust the Communists (to be
Communists)" to each serviceman in Vietnam, and we are investigating to
see if it is possible to do this. In the meantime, if any of our readers
care to submit the names and addresses of any serviceman, we will send a
book to each one.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
No question is asked more frequently than
this, "What can I do to help defeat communism?" There are so many
things crying out to be done that there is a place for everyone. Some of the
things the individual can do are:
1) Learn thoroughly the nature of
communism and its deceptive techniques so that you are in a position to
inform others. This can be done through personal study using literature,
tape recordings, records, and films.
2) Inform others concerning the nature of communism and its deceptive
techniques. This can be done through conversation, lecturing, distribution
of literature, tape recordings, records, and the screening of films.
Another way is by inviting them to anti-communist meetings.
3) Arrange a study group.
4) Arrange a public lecture or film screening.
5) Write letters to the newspapers, government officials, and congressmen.
6) Introduce anti-communism programs in church, school, or club.
7) Give generous financial support.
8) Pray.
We have the
tools available to multiply the effectiveness of your efforts. These include
literature, tape recordings, records, and films as well as lecturers. Please
use them.
TOCSIN CEASES PUBLICATION
I was saddened by the news that Tocsin has
ceased publication. This newspaper was described as "America’s
Leading Anti-Communist Weekly" and it certainly merited that
classification. It specialized in providing information on the activities
and associations of the communists in California. Its information was always
factual, precise, and accurate.
Every effort must be
made to persuade Charles Fox to recommence publication. Tocsin has to wage a
continual struggle for the financial support necessary to survive. In issue
after issue it was necessary to plead for support and sometimes scold those
who failed in their duty. Some people may have taken offense at the
directness of the approach, but anyone who has been engaged in this battle
will understand the emotions of the publisher as he observed the rising
communist danger and gave unstintingly of time and effort to tell the truth
while many, who could help and who professed to be anti-communist, stood
idly by. You may write to Charles Fox at the following address: "5765
Claremont Avenue, Oakland, California 94618"
CONCLUSION
The Christian Anti-Communism Crusade is also
in a constant struggle to secure the financial support necessary to continue
our work. I am delighted to report that the response to our appeals for help
which we issued in November and December was great and that contributions
were received to make up the deficit of $50,000 so that the year 1965
finished on a high financial note.
This does not mean that
our financial problems are over. These will remain with us as long as the
battle against communism continues. Due to our regular commitments, we need
regular support. Our minimum need is $50,000 each month.
We are facing a year
which is filled with both problems and opportunities. Plans are going ahead
for extensive use of television and intensive efforts on college and
university campuses. This can be the year in which the advance of communism
is stopped. Let us support our faith with prayer, work, and sacrifice.
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