Advocate Register_1951-03-16

ADVOCATE REGISTER (Designed to Read) Published by Oliver Smi.th News Agency (Established 1943 OLIVER E. SMITH, EDITOR Office 1453 N. Williams Ave.-EM. 7266 ATwater 2551, 3411 S. W. First Avenue, Pordand 1, Oregon Free from Services of Any Special Interests The News As We See It. The Editorials Are Our Opinions IN MY OPINION NOTED AUTHORS WRITE ADVOCATE REGISTER Alice Franklin Bryant Mr. Oliver E. Smith, Editor Portlmd 1, Oregon Dear Mr. Smith: Calling attention to the availability of my Short Shorts. Being mindful of how easily and unreasonably one gets smeared these days, I read your paper rightside up and up– side down, and I couldn't find anything questionable in it. So I am acting on the suggestion, and I attach a short letter which you might publish if you see fit. This is my own private project, and I am glad to ,~end copies to anyone who will make good use of them. There is no charge, but if anyone cares to make any little contribution it is gratefully received. I hope that you are doing and will always do all that you can for the most important cause of peace. Sincerely Yours, Alice Franklin Bryarit ON REARMING JAPAN By Alice Franklin Bryant (Published the middle of October in the Buffalo Courier– Express, Chicago Sun-Times and Seattle Post-Intelligencer.) In my hands is a long letter just received from a member of the Japanese Diet or Parliament who is a friend of mine. This letter is given over to a strong protest against proposed plans for rearming Japan. It says that that country will be democratic only if it remains unarmed. Already our occupa– tion officials have put into positions of authority a consider– able number of the leaders who planned and executed the over– running of Southeast Asia. If this tendency goes farther and an army is created, the country will swing right back into Fascism. The oil military clique and former financial barons favor all of this because it would enhance their economic position and social prestige. On the other hand, the majority of the Japanese people feel strongly against any rearmament. But it is difficult for them to express themselves against the plans being made by our occupation authorities in cooperation with their old military leaders. The majority consider that their country is being made a target for Russia by being used as a U. S. and U. N. base. And they would feel far safer if the occupation were ended and all troops withdrawn. Whether or not occupation forces remain-concludes the letter-the threat of a return to the old hated military regime might very probably push the 1 apanese people into Com– munism. By Alice Franklin Bryant Gallup polls reveal that the majority of us are not behind the Far Eastern policy of our government. If we could quickly increase this majority, clarify its ideas, and make it more vigorous and vocal, surely it could bring about a change in this policy, and we should have a chance to negotiate peace. Since I have lived for 19 years in the Far East and have studied world problems, I have some ideas about our situation that I believe worth sharing. These I have put into an 8-page folder called "Short Shorts on U. S. Policy," which I have gotten out personally. I will be happy to mail copies of this to any readers of the Advocate-Register who will send me stamped, addressed– preferably long-envelopes. No payment is required, but it is my earnest hope that recipients of the folder will read it at once and then promptly pass it on to others or lend it around. Should we not all feel a personal responsibility for doing all we can for the cause of pease? Dear Oliver Smith:: Alice Franklin Bryant 2813 North Broadway Seattle 2, Washington 360 N. 21st Street Corvallis, Oregon March 8, 1951 I have greatly enjoyed reading copies of your paper sent me by Ruth Haefner. Your handling of all material relating to human brotherhood is a big encouragement in these de– pressing days. And of course I like to keep up on all the news of my Portland friends, which I find in ever issue. So please accept my check for $2.50 and mail The Advocate-Register to me regularly. Best wishes! 1 Sincerely Yours, Alice B. Plympton P. S. Did you know that the vice-president of the Student Body, Oregon State College this year is a Negro boy, William Maxwell? He's a wonderful chap. -A.B.P. February 10, 1951 The book I told you about is a compilation entitled "States Laws on Race and Color." It is being published under the auspices of the Woman's Division of Christian Service, Board of Missions and Church Extension, The Methodist Church. The price is $4.00 and the book can be ordered through Literature Headquarters, 420 Plum Street, Cincinnati 2, Ohio. The reason for my delay in answering is that I just got the anticipated date of publication-March 5th, 1951. The book was originally scheduled for publication in November, then 1 anuary, then February, and now it seems fairly definite it will be off the press on March 5th. So you are in time for an order of the first run. I was particularly sorry to hear that the Civil Rights ordin– ance of Portland was defeated in the November, 1950 referen– dum. It was too late for me to note the defeat in my proof, but I did sumbit a footnote saying that the proposed ordinance was to be voted upon in November. Thanks for sending me the Advocate-Register. Amazingly enough I get information in it that I miss in some of the other papers. Life goes on-ups and downs-but I am beginning to think the trend is up. Sincerely, Pauli Murray Counselor at Law Six Ma.iden Lane New York 7, N.Y.