Today in History-September 19
Charlie Chaplin is under investigation for his political beliefs and hisprivate life
1952: US Immigration slams door on Chaplin
England have
The United States is to prevent the film legend, Charlie Chaplin, from
returning to his Hollywood home until he has been investigated by the
Immigration Services.
The Attorney-General, Thomas McGranery, has ordered the Immigration Service
to hold Mr Chaplin "for hearings" if he returns to the United States, despite
issuing him with a re-entry permit only a few months ago.
Mr Chaplin is currently sailing to England on board the Queen Elizabeth
with his wife and four children.
His friend, the writer Harry Crocker, who is travelling with the family,
said Mr Chaplin would probably talk to his lawyers before making any
comment.
He added that Mr Chaplin intends to return to the US in about six
months.
Mr Chaplin is still a British citizen, despite living in America for almost
40 years, and has no automatic right to re-enter the country.
Under US law, grounds for denying a foreigner admission include "moral
turpitude" and "political affiliations".
Charlie Chaplin has been under severe pressure in the US over accusations
from Senator Joseph McCarthy and the House Un-American Activities Committee that
he is associated with left-wing causes.
Mr Chaplin has been on the FBI's Security Index since 1948, and he was one
of over 300 people blacklisted by Hollywood film studios and unable to work
after he refused to cooperate when he appeared before the Committee.
When questioned about his membership of the Communist Party, Mr Chaplin
answered, "I do not want to create any revolution, all I want to do is create a
few more films.
"I might amuse people. I hope so."
He has also been attacked over his colourful private life: he has married
four times, twice to girls of 16, and in 1943 was the subject of a paternity
suit which he fought and lost.
Mr Chaplin's lawyer in Hollywood, Lloyd Wright, said the re-entry permit
was valid for a year.
"The immigration was so nice about issuing Chaplin his permit and even told
him to hurry back," he said.
"Now the minute he gets on the high seas this comes up."
Eight bombs were sent to diplomats
1972: Parcel bomb attack on Israeli embassy
Artificially 1969: FilmTheTheAA A diplomat at the Israeli embassy in London
has been killed by a letter bomb.
Dr Ami Sachori received severe chest and stomach injuries when the device
exploded at 0930 GMT and died on the way to hospital.
Eight bombs were addressed to diplomats at the embassy, but three were
detected in the consulate post room and four others were intercepted at a
sorting office in Earl's Court.
Palestinian extremist group Black September is thought to have posted the
letters. Some were also sent to the Israeli embassy in Paris, sparking a
worldwide security alert.
Scotland Yard said the devices - contained in manila envelopes only a
little bulkier than normal letters - all originated in Amsterdam in the
Netherlands.
'Soft target'
A note in one of the packages appeared to implicate the Arab faction which
murdered nine Israeli athletes at the Munich Olympic Games two weeks ago.
Dr Sachori, who was due to return to Israel in a fortnight's time, was the
agricultural counsel at the embassy.
An embassy spokesman, Eli Tabori, said he was a "soft target".
"This man had nothing to do with the political side of the embassy - he was
here to promote Israeli agricultural exports and because of the unsuspecting
nature of his job he was probably singled out," he said.
The Israeli Ambassador, Michael Comay, told the BBC it was much easier for
extremist groups to attack in Europe.
"They take advantage of the free and democratic traditions of your open
society and your hospitality to carry out their deeds," he said.
Vocabulary:
turpitude: everything done contrary to justice, honesty, modesty or good
morals,(奸恶;卑鄙)
affiliation: a social or business relationship(联系;从属关系)
consulate: diplomatic building that serves as the residence or workplace of
a consul(领事;领事馆)
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