Schoenman, on behalf of BR, thanks Birnbaum for his letter. BR holds that it is inappropriate to address a public appeal to the Soviet leadership. Schoenman writes, "As to clarification of issues, this may be found in the public appeal. I enclose a copy for your attention". The enclosure is not present.

Springer, on behalf of his committee, thanks BR for the letter sent to Sovietish Heimland on Oct. 29, 1964. Springer hopes BR's efforts will result in a favourable change in the position of Russian Jews.

Silburt praises BR for his communications with the editor of Sovietish Heimland and congratulates him for his honest and courageous position with regards to the Jews in Russia. Silburt writes from Downsview, Ontario, Canada.

Nabokov asks for a message from BR on Jan. 18, 1953 for a public ceremony in honour of the late Benedetto Croce. The message should be addressed to Carlo Antoni.

BR writes of Benedetto Croce: "He was a brave man, who preserved intellectual integrity in very difficult circumstances. This virtue is none too common, and those who exhibit it as fearlessly as he did should be remembered."

BR's review of Ginsberg's The Idea of Progress encourages Faulkner to read the book. She agrees with BR's notion of "an ethic which could serve as a basis in politics" and goes on to explain the formation of an "international development authority". Faulkner alerts BR that the Emergency Civil Liberties Committee, of which she is a volunteer, has been the target of anti-Communist attacks by the American Committee for Cultural Freedom.

BR is an Honorary Chairman of the Congress for Cultural Freedom which is affiliated with the American Committee for Cultural Freedom.

BR resigns from the American Committee for Cultural Freedom: "It is a mistake for me to be a sponsor of the American Committee for Cultural Freedom since at this distance I cannot know adequately what its actions are or whether they are such as I should wish to support." He sent the letter to l. Watson to be forwarded.

The American Committee for Cultural Freedom is confused regarding BR's resignation since the American Committee for Cultural Freedom and the Congress of Cultural Freedom—of which BR is a chairman—are affiliated but separate. "In that regard, neither the Congress for Cultural Freedom nor its officers are wholly responsible or should be held responsible for the specific positions of the American Committee." They can reorganize the letterhead to "indicate the separation of function" if some confusion still exists.

BR is informed of the wave of arrests of writers, thinkers and publishers in Argentina. Nabokov asks BR's permission to add his name to the enclosed letter in protest of the arrests.

The letter is to Juan Peron, President of Argentina, and is from Denis de Rougemont, President of the Executive Committee.

Kristol was executive director of the American Committee for Cultural Freedom. He asks BR if he would submit something for a new international periodical, Encounter, e.g. a review of Karl Loewith's Heidegger, Denker in Duerftiger Zeit. Kristol shares his concern over BR's May letter (see record 70209): "You seem to be under the impression that there have been actions by the committee of which you might not approve. I am in a position to state quite definitely that your apprehensions are unfounded."

[Letter is printed on British Society for Cultural Freedom letterhead, presumably because Kristol was in London at the time.]

"The Congress for Cultural Freedom has been invited by the programme, Balkans-Danube" to do a weekly broadcast. The Congress wishes its speakers to "stress the interest which the Western cultural world is taking in the fate and destiny of intellectuals of Central and Eastern Europe." Nabokov asks BR for "a short message to the intellectuals of Eastern European countries". Radiodiffusion Française does "Balkans-Danube".

[BR sent "Stalin's Legacy".]

Stein invites Russell to a conference in New York on European anti-Americanism, Nov. 21, 1953 to speak on English attitudes toward America.

The Congress is holding a conference on "Freedom and Science", July 24-26, 1954. Nabokov asks BR if he will sit on the Honorary Committee of the conference.

Spender seeks a message for the Rangoon Conference of the Congress for Cultural Freedom, described in the enclosed announcement at record 70227.

The E.C.L.C. is holding a conference on academic freedom in homage to Albert Einstein's 75th birthday. Einstein will answer some questions to be published in a bulletin, Rights. Clarke asks BR if he will write something for the bulletin on "Einstein and his continuing fight against tyranny".

(See record 12972 for the draft reply and record 70220 for a note on what evidently replaced it.)

The Committee intends to devote the next bulletin to the problem of apartheid in South African universities. The Committee intends to organize a meeting in November of 1957 protesting race segregation in universities. They hope BR will be able to attend or give a written message which could be read.

The American Committee for Cultural Freedom warns BR that his name is being used by the discredited Emergency Civil Liberties Committee. Einstein will not attend the conference. "Einstein's name being used to lend respectability to this Communist-line cause.... We urge you publicly withdraw support from this undertaking."

Clarke thanks BR for a message and encloses a copy of Rights with Einstein's answers and letters from BR, Nehru and Mann (not present). Clarke inquires why BR's name is still on the American Committee for Cultural Freedom's letterhead if BR has resigned.

(The issue of Rights is in RA2 910. The letter is by BR's secretary, Edith Russell, using the initials E.H.P.; her much shorter draft (on 25 Feb. 1954) as a result of discussing the request with BR is at record 12972.)

BR explains: "The Committee for Cultural Freedom has a right to keep my name as a member of their international committee...." "My responsibility was only for what is done by the British branch." BR encloses a copy of the telegram the American Committee for Cultural Freedom sent to him in protest.

The reply is typed on the verso of Foreman's letter (see record 70220).

Weaver asks BR his opinion on the qualifications of Sydney Hook and Silvio Ceccato to write a booklet on dialectical materialism.

BR does not know Ceccato but has known Sidney Hook for many years and says of him: "I think it is likely that his dissection of dialectical materialism would be thoroughly competent" though "I have found recently that he has seemed to me somewhat infected by the witch-hunting spirit". This, he says, should not affect the content of Weaver's brochure.

Nabokov forwards information to BR concerning the American Committee for Cultural Freedom and the society, Les Amis de la Liberté. A report on the latter by Jacques Enock in French is enclosed. Nabokov suggests that a letter BR received from St. Etienne was from Marguerite Maurice, a "militant member of the Communist Party", and that the accusations she makes concerning the influence of the Catholic clergy upon the "Maison de la Liberté" in St. Etienne are false.

The Congress for Cultural Freedom is organizing a conference on "the relationship between individual freedom and the economic conditions in society" and "the philosophic premisses of freedom in contemporary societies." Nabokov encloses a memorandum on the subjects, asks BR for his comments, and hopes BR will be able to attend the conference planned for next Sept. 1955.

A Committee on Science and Freedom was formed after the Hamburg Conference on Science and Freedom to circulate a newsletter and "carry on the exchange of ideas initiated" at the conference. Polanyi asks BR if he will continue to serve as a member of the Honorary Committee established for the Hamburg Congress.

Polanyi, Secretary of the new committee, writes on letterhead of the Congrès pour la Liberté de la Culture.

A conference on the "new resurgence in Asia, the situation of the Asian intellectual, the impact of the West, freedom and economic planning, the state and the individual, and totalitarian threats to cultural freedom in Asia" is planned for Rangoon, Burma, Feb. 17-19, 1955.

Not a letter but a document enclosed by Spender at record 70216.

Polanyi asks BR's permission to add his name to a statement supporting Göttingen University's protest against the appointment of a neo-Nazi minister of education.

A note in Edith Russell's hand reads: "Ans. by phone. No. Don't know anything abt it."

Polanyi encloses a Committee bulletin on the recent protest "of Göttingen University against the appointment of a neo-Nazi Minister of Education" (not present). He asks if BR wishes to remain on the bulletin mailing list.

Polanyi encloses a report on the past year's activities of the Committee. "The report was presented to the Assembly of the Congress for Cultural Freedom in Milan" on Sept. 18, 1955.

Polanyi encloses issue no. 4 of the Committee's Bulletin (not present) and draws BR's attention to the article on strife between administration and staff at the University of Tasmania. The State of Tasmania supports the administration, and Polanyi asks BR for a "statement on the matter."

The letter was found in the copy at Plas Penrhyn of the Bulletin (according to a pre-McMaster note by K. Blackwell). Since the letter is listed in Feinberg's Archives of Bertrand Russell, p. 225, it must have arrived at McMaster 10 years before Russell's Library. The 4th issue of the Bulletin is not catalogued in Russell's Library; nor can it be found listed in the manuscript inventory of that library compiled in May 1967.

BR is asked for his signature on a statement to be sent to the Alabama University President to "express full solidarity with professors and students ... who have taken their stand on basic human freedoms and oppose exclusion (of) negro students from higher education".

Parentheses added. Edith Russell's note indicates that BR agreed "by wire".

Polanyi thanks BR for a cable and a covering letter he sent from California. "The Congress of Cultural Freedom, will be able to take the appropriate action, probably through their American Committee, headed by Professor Sidney Hook."

Farrell expresses his "profound dismay" at a letter BR wrote to the Manchester Guardian on the Rosenberg case: "While we do not question your right to reach even what we consider a totally mistaken conclusion on the guilt of Morton Sobell and Ethel and Julius Rosenberg, we do most gravely question the propriety of any friend of cultural freedom, and in particular an officer of the Congress for Cultural Freedom, an organization of which we are an affiliate, in making the false and irresponsible statements about the process of justice in the United States quoted from or attributed to you in this report."

BR resigns from the Congress for Cultural Freedom as it is affiliated with the American Committee for Cultural Freedom. This is in response to Farrell's letter: "As I am the subject of criticism, there can be no question of my remaining connected with your body."

The reply is typed on the verso of Farrell's letter (see record 70234).

BR is sent a copy of the report on the Rangoon Conference on Cultural Freedom and is thanked for his message and involvement.

The report cannot be located in the Russell Archives.

Spender informs BR that the executive committee of the Congress for Cultural Freedom deplores the letter sent by the American Committee and that an executive meeting will meet to discuss their relations with the American Committee.

The Congress for Cultural Freedom drafts a statement dissociating itself from the actions of the American Committee: "The American Committee, an independent affiliate of the Congress for Cultural Freedom, took this action against Earl Russell, an Honorary Chairman of the Congress for Cultural Freedom, without consulting or informing the International Secretariat."

The draft was likely enclosed with Nabokov's letter of Jan. 25, 1957 at record 70255.

Spender is distressed at Russell's resignation and tries to reason at the motivations of both parties (BR's and the American Committee's). He asks for the sources that BR used to arrive at his conclusions, but doubts "whether I shall be able to attain the state of absolute certainty of any of the parties in this dispute." The dispute is over BR's comments on the Rosenberg-Sobell case.

Nabokov, having received BR's resignation letter from Spender, is distressed and says he will be calling an executive meeting immediately to consider what action should be taken. "I cannot help feeling that all this has occurred not out of any basic divergence between you and ourselves over policy but primarily because of the tone of a letter which was sent to you by a national committee without any prior consultation with the International Secretariat."

BR agrees with Nabokov, saying: "I have no basic divergence with the European part of the Congress of Cultural Freedom, but I think the American branch is a body with which I do not wish to have any connection whatever." BR looks forward to the decision of the executive committee meeting.

BR thanks Spender for his letter and is glad the executive committee deplores the American Committee's action and suggests, "I do not think you ought to allow it to remain affiliated to the central organization."

BR encloses a letter to the Manchester Guardian which contains sources on the Rosenberg-Sobell case (not present) and refers to a book he is reading called Was Justice Done? the Rosenberg-Sobell Case, by Malcolm Sharp. BR comments: "I do not think that anybody reading this book with an open mind can doubt that there was a miscarriage of justice."

Bolomey, treasurer of the Congrès, notifies BR of payment of £8 for his contribution to Preuves, no. 2.

Nabokov will be in London next week and wishes to meet with BR.

Nabokov thanks BR for meeting with him and will "promptly take all those steps which, I hope, will lead to a clearing up of this matter" when he returns to Paris.

After a reply from the American Committee, Nabokov judges that they are not willing to issue a public apology and the "second alternative" is the only way out of the situation. An Executive Board meeting will be held to make the decision.

Polanyi encloses a special supplement bulletin on the "Marxist approach and the appeal for intellectual cooperation with scholars in Communist countries who are now rebelling against Stalinism" (not present) and asks for BR's reaction. The bulletin will be circulated in Communist countries.

Polanyi writes BR regarding a telegram received from Szeged University in Hungary "appealing to all universities of the world to come to our aid with their moral support." The Committee has sent a telegram to the Russian ambassador on the issue. BR is asked for his support.

Enclosed is a letter asking scholars for their support, the telegram from Szeged University, the telegram to the Russian ambassador, a press release, and an article from the Manchester Guardian.

BR's name was added to the Committee's telegram without his prior consent. BR's response to the request is not indicated.

Polanyi thanks BR for his support "for our declaration on Hungary." He encloses a copy of the statement the Committee is sending to the Soviet Embassy and asks if BR is able to take part in the presentation of the statement.

BR has expressed in a prior letter that he wishes to separate himself from the action of the Congress because "its denunciation of the crime of Budapest was not balanced by a denunciation of the Anglo-French action in Egypt" in a statement written by the Congress. De Rougement defends the statement, reasoning that the Hungarian situation was more urgent and "it seemed to me entirely out of place to transform this cry into a 'well-balanced' political pronouncement."

Members of the Congress would like to meet with BR at the earliest convenience.

BR agrees with de Rougemont with one exception, saying: "To avoid contact with the Western Communists is not wise." BR would withdraw his resignation over this matter but the situation with the American Committee has not been resolved as the Congress has not publicly dissociated itself from the Americans.

Nabokov explains the decision of a standing committee meeting: "One thing that emerged very strongly is that it is essential to keep the two issues, the Russian suppression of the Hungarian revolution and the Anglo-French intervention in Egypt, entirely separate."

The letter is not addressed to BR but must be meant for him; it is undated.

De Rougemont explains the current situation with the American Committee. The Congress had issued a letter of censure after which the American executive director resigned. The Congress now maintains "merely formal" relations with the American Committee.

BR thanks de Rougemont for his letter but maintains: "I do not see that I can remain a member of your organization in view of the fact that you are not prepared to dissociate yourselves publicly from the action of the American Committee."

The reply is a typed copy on the last page of de Rougemont's letter (see record 70253).

After a telephone conversation, Nabokov is happy that BR will continue as an Honorary Chairman "provided we disassociate ourselves publicly from the action of the American Committee."

He encloses a draft of a letter to be sent to the Manchester Guardian (see record 70238).

Nabokov expresses his sorrow and regret in acknowledging BR's resignation and comments on BR's reasons for leaving. Attached is a chronological history of the Congress's actions.

Nabokov writes a personal letter to BR following his formal letter acknowledging BR's resignation from the Congress for Cultural Freedom.

Regarding Nabokov's letters on Russell's resignation, BR writes: "Your unofficial letter is very moving and I find myself in agreement with all you say in it about Communist governments."

BR does not agree that the Congress could not censure the American Committee for the substance of their letter. He closes: "I most sincerely regret that this difference of opinion should have come between you and me, and I wish to express emphatically my continued personal feeling of friendship and respect."

BR thanks Polanyi for sending The Magic of Marxism and comments on its arguments and the logical implications of combining moralism and determinism as seen in Marxism and Christianity.

The Magic of Marxism is by Michael Polanyi.

Michael Polanyi, author of The Magic of Marxism, is interested in BR's comments on his essay. Polanyi draws the distinction between authoritarianism and totalitarianism as it applies to Christianity and Communism. The Committee plans on reissuing the pamphlet and asks BR for a contribution in the form of an expansion of the view expressed in BR's letter.

George Polanyi has shown BR's letter to his father, Michael Polanyi. He suggests that Hungarian, Polish and Yugoslav Communists are accessible to "honest doubt" and that "we may hope to achieve something by publications of this kind."

Polanyi, on behalf of Mr. Ninomiya of the Yomiuri newspaper in Tokyo, asks BR for a contribution on nuclear bomb tests. Yomiuri has shown interest in the idea of a science and freedom conference for which it has offered help in funding.

Edith Russell indicates that BR has sent a message to Ninomiya.

BR won't be able to attend the meeting but will contribute a written message if Polanyi could remind him when the time comes.

The reply is printed on the verso of Polanyi's letter (see record 70218).

The Polanyis enclose "a letter on the subject of Hungary and contact with Hungarian scholars" received from J.D. Bernal and a reply sent to Bernal.

Nabokov sent BR M. Lasky's White Book on Hungary, "which gives a day-to-day account of what happened during the October revolution", and hopes BR finds it interesting.

Nabokov will be in England during August and hopes he will be able to visit BR from his base at the Dartington Music Summer School.

BR thanks Nabokov for the White Book. He suggests Nabokov phone him when he arrives in Dartington to arrange a meeting.

Polanyi asks BR for a message of encouragement for the Multi-Racial Conference of South Africa meeting in Johannesburg, Dec. 3, 1957.
 

BR feels strongly on the racial question in South Africa but doesn't know any of the details and would rather contribute as a signatory to a letter written by someone conversant with the facts.

Priscilla Polanyi encloses a letter for publication in The Times (not present), and asks if BR would be a signatory.

Priscilla Polanyi encloses a letter to The Times "in connection with the latest step announced by the Spanish government for the suppression of intellectual liberty in Spain."

She asks if BR would be a signatory on the letter.

The office of the Committee on Science and Freedom is being moved to London. Priscilla Polanyi will no longer hold her post as secretary.

Lloyd-Jacob writes on behalf of Michael Polanyi thanking BR for his letter of Apr. 16, 1962. They are glad BR will continue as a sponsor of the Committee.

Newman encloses cheques (not present) contributing to the BRPF. They are from Mrs. Cyrus Eaton and Lawrence M. Bloomberg.

BR thanks Newman for his help.

BR thanks Mrs. Eaton for her contribution. BR has been "having such a controversy with" American publications. "I find the most exasperating characteristic of American liberals is that it is impossible to embarrass them. I shall try harder."

BR thanks Bloomberg for his financial support of BR's peace work.

Newman sends BR donation cheques from Aaron B. Salant and Dr. and Mrs. Isadore M. Alpher.

BR thanks Salant for his donation to BR's peace work.

BR thanks the Alphers for their donation to BR's peace work.

Newman tells BR that his grant application has been received by Mr. Rabinowitz and that approval would be forthcoming on May 6. Newman asks for a letter BR sent to Rabinowitz for his files.

In this telegram, Klein asks BR for a copy of his reply letter to Mr. Vergelis for Fraternally Yours.

Schoenman thanks Klein for his cable. He has enclosed the requested letter. Schoenman hopes that Klein will be able to support the work of the BRPF.

Schoenman, on behalf of BR, thanks Springer for his letter. Schoenman hopes that Springer will be able to support the work of BR.

BR thanks Silburt for her letter. "I am sending you under separate cover literature concerning the Bertrand Russell Peace Foundation". BR hopes Silburt will be able to support the BRPF.

Liberson asks BR about his correspondence with Soviet leaders regarding Soviet Jewry. Liberson wants to know the nature of replies received from the Soviet officials, and the text of the letters from BR to the Soviet officials.

Schoenman, on behalf of BR, thanks Liberson for his letter. Schoenman tells Liberson that the correspondence between BR and the Soviet leaders cannot be disclosed.

Litvinoff tells Schoenman that he has had the Russian letters read and verbally summarized. The letters appear to have been written by the same person and they disparage American and West German imperialism. Litvinoff doubts whether Schoenman wants the letters translated, but suggests that a reply thanking Mr. Komar would be appropriate.

Attached with this letter are letters in Russian, an envelope, and an English translation of the name and address of Komar.

In Russian. For a translation, see 340.183459.

Shainkman refers to BR's letter of Feb. 1963 to Khrushchev.

BR is anxious to discuss an important matter with Waldeck-Rochet. BR asks him to receive two of his representatives to discuss matters of mutual interest.

After speaking to both BR and Schoenman, Farley informs Litvinoff that BR will be unable to come to London. Farley tells him Schoenman wants to meet Premier Eshkol of Israel and that he has asked BR to arrange an appointment for him. Farley is not sure of Schoenman's return date but expects him to be back by 28 March, only to leave again on the 31st.

Newman encloses cheques for the BRPF and tells BR on behalf of Lorin E. Kerr that it is not necessary to acknowledge the individual contributions from Harry Kahn, Gyorgy Kepes, Kenneth Pohlman, Harold J. Mayers, Henry C. Daniels, Opal Gooden, and Kerr.

BR thanks Newman for his help and encloses the letter he sent to Rabinowitz in which he asks Rabinowitz for financial support. See record 70451 for the letter to Rabinowitz.

BR thanks Newman for last letter and says he was pleased to hear that his secretary, Ralph Schoenman, met with Newman.

Schoenman, on behalf of BR, thanks Terman for his letter. Schoenman encloses copies of BR's letters to Vergelis (on Russian anti-Semitism). Schoenman hopes Terman will support the BRPF.

The enclosure is not present.

Farley writes from France while he has been "trying to assist preparations for the art exhibition at Woburn".

Farley asks Edith to look at 3 enclosed letters (not present) and to retain them for Ralph's attention if they are unsatisfactory in any way. Farley adds that "all the final reminders have been sent to contributors to the anthology."

Hunter informs BR of his knowledge of BR's work for Soviet Jewry. His organization will be holding a seminar in Brussels regarding the problems facing Soviet Jewry. Hunter tells BR about the people attending the seminar and asks BR for a message to the students attending this seminar.

Wood, on behalf of BR, thanks Hunter for his letter. Wood regretfully informs Hunter that he did not allow sufficient time for BR to reply. Wood hopes that the conference was successful.

Farley asks BR if he could arrange a meeting with Erich Fromm.

Farley would like Khrushchev's letter to BR on "his reasons for not responding to the appeal on behalf of Madame Ivinskaya" for people "who are hoping to take the matter further."

He encloses a letter drafted for The Observer, a news cutting from Tribune and a copy a reply to "the obnoxious cable from Athens" (no enclosures present). He also provides the name of a Ceylonese woman, Carmen Serrano.

Cohen tells BR, "I have read your exchange with Aron Vergelis (Commentary) January, 1965 with great interest.... It is very difficult for an ordinary American to obtain access to Communist Party publications." Cohen asks BR if his organization could help him obtain the direct quotes from those various parties.

Wood, on behalf of BR, thanks Cohen for his letter and suggests contacting Emanuel Litvinoff for the material he requires.