Classic Question

The war was barely over, yet the British fascists were back again. A thousand of them celebrating their release from wartime internment held a "reunion dance" in London's Royal Hotel. Because the dance was "private," listening reporters were thrown out of the hall, after one was kicked and beaten.

Sir Oswald Mosley told the celebrants that the years in prison had not changed his ideas at all. Present fascist tactics are cautious and exploratory. "Alien infiltration," "Socialist bureaucracy," Russia, the U.S. are the targets of propaganda slogans. Later the groups may get together under Sir Oswald, who is finishing a book on matters dear to his heart.

British fascists probably do not number more than 50,000, but their early reappearance has startled Britons, embarrassed their Government. When angry M.P.s in the House of Commons last week demanded action against the fascists, they knew they were raising a classic question. Home Secretary James Chuter Ede drew the classic answer from Milton: "Where people aim at extirpating free discussions, they must be regarded as ripe for extirpation themselves." Mr. Ede continued with an assessment of Mosley that only a Briton could make: "We have a very ancient democracy, with a great sense of humor, and I am quite certain that we shall put the proper valuation on many of the claims and statements that have been made."

This file is automatically generated by a robot program, so reader's discretion is required.