BIRCHERS TRY TO STIR UP WITCH-HUNT
As yet the new president of the United States has not sought to utilize the assassination of Kennedy for witch-hunting purposes, If anything he has exercized restraint in this area. The State Department's declaration immediately after the murder that no foreign country was involved in any assassination plot undoubtedly hac his approval if it was not directly inspired by Johnson,
This action served two broad purposes. First it gave a quick indication to the Allies as well as the Soviet Union that Johnson had no inten~ tion of beginning office by heating up the cold war. Secondly, it aimed at allaying nervousness among the Kennedy wing of the Democratic party, and their .lieutenants among the Negro and labor leaders, over the possible con- Hoveeee8 of having the Southern wing of the party ‘in control of the White House
These aims fit in witn Johnson's main problem -- how to assure a second term in the White House,
It would be a great mistake, however, to assume that the possibility of stepping up witch-hunting activities is now remote,
On the foreign field, Johnson is certain to follow the policy toward Cuba initiated under Eisenhower and continued under Kennedy; namely to liquidate the Cuban Revolution -- by violent means, if necessary, Thus Johnson will not permit the propaganda to die-down that pictures Castro as the immediate "Communist threat" -- if not to the United States, then to Latin America, And, in fact, the new administration has already taken several new steps against Cuba: accusing Castro of attempting to overthrow Betancourt and giving the screws on the economic blockade of Cuba another twist. ,
Inside the United States the witch-hunting can still be initiated by forces outside the White House,
The John Birch Society, one of the largest and most wealthy ultra reactiouary outfits in the United States, opened up a nation-wide campaign with full-page advertisements in newspapers from coast to coast, beginning with the New York Times, saying that "a Communist" who was "acting under orders" assassinated Kennedy. .
--Another Sign of the same type appeared in the Hearst chain. This was front-page handling, with the most sensational headlines, of the letters allegedly written by the head of the Fair Play for Cuba Committee to Oswald, who was convicted by TV, radio and newspaper headlines and lynched ina Ty spectacle such as the Roman emperors never dreamed of.
These activities are sufficient cause for everyone concerned about civil liberties in America to sit up and take notice, Unless Johnson feels considerable pressure from the left, he can take a conciliatory attitude toward these merchants of hate and thereby permit McCarthyism to. gain a new lease on life.