Record of a Friendship

[ 1950 ]

Summerhill School

Leiston, Suffolk

My dear Reich,

286

July 21, 1950

I went to apply again yesterday and discovered what was

behind it all ... "Mr. Neill, have you ever at any time written anything

in favor of Communism?" I answered: "Yes, years ago when com­

munism was love and progress I wrote in favour of it, but on the other

hand, since it hardened into hate and dictatorship I have written strongly

against it. " Grim silence on Consul's part. He said my second applica­

tion would be considered but might take some time. I have had to cancel

the passages, and if a visa does come, heaven only knows how we'll get

over if at all.

All this strain and uncertainty has already spoiled the trip for me,

even if it comes off. And with the cancelling of sailing my New York

seminar is off and 500 dollars lost.

I'll cable you if the visa comes and a passage can be got. Thanks for

all you have done. I couldn't have better friends.

Summerhill School
Leiston, Suffolk

My dear Reich,

• I •

Morning, 25 July, ' 50

Your long letter this morning. I also wondered if the vice

consul (McIntosh, a Scottish name) were Catholic, and said so to Ena

after our first interview. He was hostile from the first. He may have read

a book of mine long ago for all I know. You say get someone to ap­

proach him on this side, but I know no one of any importance in politi­

cal circles, and I am sure that nothing anyone could say would influence

him. He simply didn't approve of me and showed it in his cold, in­

different attitude ... a shrug of the shoulders when I said we'd miss the

boat ... "That's a matter between you and the shipping company."

At my second interview I almost came to jumping up and saying:

"Keep your damned visa," and was only restrained by the thought that

saying so would cut me off from you for a long time, maybe for ever.

What maddens me is the idea that I am being stopped for something

that I don't believe in. There must be hundreds who liked early com­

munism and then hated what it became, e.g. most Labour M.P.'s, but