COMMUNISTS: A Shadow Is Seen

In 1945, the U.S. Army’s official attitude was quite friendly. Said Army Talk No. 55—an indoctrination booklet for U.S. troops:

“Most of us have found ourselves in the middle of an argument about the Soviet Union. Often one member of the group says, ‘Why, sure, we’re going to have to fight the Russians. . . .’ When we try to pin down such an opinion, we rarely get satisfaction. As often as not, what we get is a knowing look and a brush-off remark.” Actually, said Talk No. 55, Communist ideals “are directly opposite to the stated ideals of fascist dictatorship, and their hope is to drop the appurtenances of dictatorship in the process of democratic evolution.”

Last week—two years and 127 booklets later—the U.S. Army started wearing a knowing look itself. In Army Talk No. 180 soldiers not only are reminded that “the ‘transitional’ [Communist] dictatorship in Russia is still in effect after 30 years,” but are plainly told that U.S. Communists, whose first loyalty is to the Soviet Union, now “seek the downfall of the American system of government.” The new booklet’s cover shows the hammer & sickle casting a dark shadow over the Statue of Liberty (see cut).

How can a soldier spot a Red? The Army’s way: “If a person consistently echoes the Party Line, he is probably a Communist. If he has consistently agreed with every shift and change in the Communist press, he is probably a Communist. If a person consistently supports Soviet policies, he is probably a Communist. If a person consistently practices all of the above, he is a Communist!”