Howard Fast reflected on the World Congress in an article printed in Spanish for the Chilean magazine Pro arte: “Neruda was like the conscience of the world, with a new, vital, and democratic song and new and terrible charges of the corruption of imperialism. Through Neruda, Chile had taken shape before the world.”
At a break in the proceedings, Fast went to the stage and waited until he could extend his hand to the poet. Neruda seemed exhausted: “a hundred people were asking him questions all at the same time. He held Picasso’s hand, as if this reality could suddenly disappear, and greeted many other people with his other hand.”
HUAC had a different take on the proceedings. An excerpt from its chronicling of the World Congress:
Paul Robeson, a Negro and a Communist, for whom America has meant fame and fortune as a concert singer, actor, and athlete, received a tremendous ovation when he declared, “It is certainly unthinkable for myself and the Negro people to go to war in the interests of those who have oppressed us for generations” against a country (referring to Russia) “which in one generation has raised our people to the full dignity of mankind.” Robeson’s treasonous statements have been overwhelmingly repudiated by prominent members of his own race such as Jackie Robinson, Walter White, Lester Granger, Josh White, and many others.
These meetings were not just social gatherings; world politics was involved. HUAC stressed that the World Congress did not “tolerate any effort to disseminate the truth regarding Soviet aggression or the Communist dictatorship.” There was an urge by participants to condemn media outlets, people, and organizations that, “according to Communist standards, ‘disseminate propaganda for a new war.’”
Following the World Congress’s after-parties, which always included some poetry reading, Neruda and Delia took the first of what would be many trips around Europe, particularly Eastern Europe. They would also go to Russia, China, and Mexico, not to escape the authorities but rather as part of a tour of political and literary actions and meetings. The pace of their activity was prodigious; they were in great demand and devoted to their cause. The Chilean government could not obstruct Neruda while he was in leftist countries, and he doubted it would anywhere else, as he was too visible on the world stage.
With great excitement, Neruda and Delia flew to Moscow on June 6. The trip was timed to coincide with the celebrations for the 150th anniversary of the birth of one of his favorite poets, Alexander Pushkin. Stalin himself received them, giving Delia an astrakhan coat, made from the pelt of a newborn Persian lamb, with red silk lining. They were in what seemed to be the promised land: their tour was tailored by officials to make sure that these prominent endorsers of the Soviets would see only the good, none of the bad. Neruda, still grateful to Stalin for his support of the Spanish Republic, did not need much convincing. Before leaving Moscow, he bought old editions of Pushkin’s poetry. Pushkin’s political but narrative, vernacularly lyrical voice can be seen as an influence in the conversational poetry Neruda began to write after this trip.
The festivities continued in Leningrad, where Neruda gave a rousing speech denouncing his enemies, including González Videla, while praising the father of Chile’s Communist Party, Luis Emilio Recabarren. Stalingrad was next, the city to which Neruda had written two love songs. He gave a speech and read his verse. After he read his poems in Spanish, an actor followed in Russian.
Then it was off to Danzig, Poland; Budapest; and Prague. He intended to go to London next, but while in Prague, the British embassy denied him a visa. He was blocked by the walls of the Cold War, as Western governments were concerned by his rising celebrity status and vocal Communist propaganda. The United States was worried enough to keep tabs on him: after Neruda was unable to get to England, he left for a short visit to Cuba. Shortly after his arrival, the counselor at the U.S. embassy in Havana sent a confidential memo, addressed to the secretary of state, reporting how—as the missive started—“the Communist newspaper Hoy published a photograph of Pablo NERUDA, Communist poet and Senator from Chile, taken in Habana during the course of a press interview. Neruda, who, it is understood, has been in the USSR and in Paris, was refused a visa when he attempted to visit England on his return to this area.” It added that “efforts are being made to obtain further information regarding the diplomatic passports used by Neruda and his wife.” The embassy also noted how Neruda made statements to the press against González Videla and that “a controlled American source states that Pablo Neruda and his wife left Habana by air for Mexico on August 23.” The Mexicans gladly allowed Neruda and Delia entry, on August 28, 1949, despite the Chilean government’s insistence to the Mexican government that their passports weren’t valid. (Neruda’s close relationship with Mexico continued throughout his life.) The couple was accompanied by Paul Éluard. They were there to attend the American Continental Peace Congress in Mexico City.
Neruda delivered a momentous announcement during his speech to the peace congress: he renounced much of his early work. He told the attendees that he had just come from the World Festival of Youth and Students, held amid the ruins of Warsaw, where he had heard “a sound like bees in an infinite beehive—the sound
