November 29, 1953
The center read the letter published in the November 16 issue of the Southern press with no prior knowledge of its essential contents. Since then we have received no communications either from the party (majority) or the suspended minority. The only other available material is a document from the international center which includes a resolution that had been presented by the minority to the November Southern plenum and the resolution adopted by the majority suspending the minority.
On November 23 the international sent us a note which read in part: "The Cannon faction which has just publicly split our movement in such a revolting manner has passed the word around that they have your (Canada's) support in this unprincipled struggle against the organization and principles of the international. We refuse to accept such a claim without verification. We have always considered your group to be a principled organization and not just an annex of the Cannon group."
In order to clarify its position on these developments, on the basis of the information at its disposal at this time, the tops at a meeting on November 29 unanimously adopted the following statement:
The tops affirms the affiliation of the Canadian group to the international. We recognize the present leadership as being the duly elected leadership of the movement. We recognize its authority and its directives until such time as a world meeting sees fit to replace this leadership. We fully intend to have representation at the coming world meeting. We stand by the right and the authority of the world leadership to intercede in the affairs of all af filiated bodies to see that the openly arrived at and agreed upon line of the world meeting is implemented. Such actions are obviously to be constantly subject to the scrutiny and the critical advice of all affiliates and, should it be deemed necessary, complete reconsideration at a world meeting.
We strongly disapprove of the publication of the November 16 letter which makes public property of the party's (majority's) differences with the international leadership. We consider this to be a breach of international discipline. We strongly disapprove of the majority's failure to advance its opinions through the regular channels provided by the international.
In the light of the information at its disposal the tops is not prepared to take a stand on the merits of the respective positions or to identify itself with the minority or the majority of the southern group.
We recognize both the majority and the minority as legitimate tendencies in the world movement —until such times as the majority breaks from the world movement (which we do not understand it to have done) or the international formally recognizes the minority as the official group in the south.
Kane
Fitzgerald
McAlpine