Francesco/who-killed-jfk huggingface dataset:
[104-10173-10134.pdf — page 107]
# SECRETCENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCYWASHINGTON 25, D. C.ADSO SODB-20568DEC 2 1949 via AdooMEMORANDUM FOR THE SECRETARY OF STATEAttention: Mr. Foss H. IngersollSubject: Harold Robert IsaacsMICROFILMEDFEB 3 1966DOC. MICRO. BER.1. This is in reply to Mr. Jack B. Scotts request for information concerning Harold Robert ISAACS, made by telephone on 23 November 1949.2. According to information obtained from a source considered reliable, Harold Robert ISAACS was born in New York City on 13 September 1910. He arrived in Shanghai from Manila in December 1930 and was in possession of American passport 177626. ISAACS was first employed in Shanghai by the *Shanghai Evening Post & Mercury*, an English language daily published in Shanghai. After a few weeks, he became associated with the *China Press*, another English-language daily published in Shanghai, and was with this paper until May 1931. In June of the same year ISAACS made a trip up the Yangtze River with Cecil Frank Glass, a British subject and member of the British Communist Party, suspected of being an agent for the Third International in China.3. On 15 June 1931, Claire Noulens, with aliases, was arrested by the Shanghai Municipal Police on charges of espionage in behalf of the Third International. ISAACS became the nominal secretary of the Comite Internationale Pour la Defense de Paul et Gertrude Ruegg (R.N.C.), a committee formed to aid the Noulens in their defense against charges of espionage preferred by the Chinese government. Our files reflect that ISAACS was in correspondence with Illi Huizenberg, the president of the Committee with headquarters in Berlin. Huizenberg was an active agent in Germany for the Third International. ISAACS is also known to have been in contact with Agnes Smedley in Shanghai at this time.4. On 29 August 1932, ISAACS gave notice to the American Consulate General in Shanghai of his intended marriage to (Miss) Viola Morrin, an American citizen born 10 June 1910 in New York City. Isaacs arrived in Shanghai on 26 August 1932 from Vancouver, Canada, aboard the S.S. *Empress of Asia*, and was in possession of American passport 392046 issued in New York on 14 May 1931. The wedding was held on 14 September 1932 at the American Consulate General.![signature]
[104-10173-10134.pdf — page 108]
SECREThave been connected with Communist activities in the United States andcorrespondence between I.A.M. and also Noulens prior to theirmarriage, indicates that they were both sympathetic to activities beingconducted by the Communists in China. On 21 November 1932, Isaacs Noulenswas entrusted by Dr. Oscar Lanuza with the high defense attorney,with teaching the English language to Mary Noulens, the four-year oldson of Hilaire and Gertrude Noulens.5. On 4 April 1936, *IZA*, under the pseudonym of LO SÊM, published an   article in the *foe Militant*, organ of the ociniist orkers' arty in   New York, entitled *"Stalintern Ready to embrace Chiang Kai-shek --   Offer day in return for Resurrection of the disastrous 1927 Epoque."*   It is believed that I.A.M. later joined the fourth international, organized   by Trotsky subsequent to the latter's calls from Russia.6. During World War II ISAACS was a war correspondent for Newspaper   in China. In July 1949 he was refused entry into China by Chinese   Nationalist authorities, presumably as a result of anti-nationalist   articles written by ISAACS for *Newsweek*.7. Harold Robert ISAACS is currently Special Features Editor for *Newsweek*,   152 West 42nd Street, New York, New York. He is the author of several   books, including *No Peace In Asia* and *The Tragedy of the Chinese Revolution*.   Isaacs' current political beliefs are unknown to this agency.8. Should Isaacs leave this country, this agency should appreciate being   advised of his intended destination, date of departure and any other   pertinent details.FOR THE DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE:ROBERT A. RICHTERAssistant DirectorBO 0M-10568cc: Federal Bureau of InvestigationPFbdo- 2 -REGISTRY COPY
[104-10173-10134.pdf — page 109]
SECRETDOCUMENT TRANSFER AND CROSS REFERENCE| SUBJECT OF DOCUMENT                                | DOCUMENT IDENTIFICATION                        || -------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------- || Shanghai Municipal Police Files.                   | 2. RI FILE NO. 16-7-24-7y                      || American Citizens Suspected of Commie Connections. | 3. DISPATCH OR SOURCE DOC. SYMBOL NO. ZCSA-746 ||                                                    | 4. DATE 24 Feb. 49                             || 5. ANALYST James E, Plaugher                       | 6. DATE PROCESSED 21 Nov 1963                  || 7.SOURCE CRYPTONYM                                 | 8. DATE OF INFO.                               || 10. DISSEMINATED IN                                | 11. DATE                                       || 12. CROSS REFERRED TO THIS FILE                    | DOCUMENT DISPOSITION                           ||                                                    | 13. TRANSFERRED TO RI FILE NO.                 |14. PERTINENT INFORMATIONPara. 17Harold "obert Isaacs was born in New York City on 3 Sept. 1910 and held USA passport 177026. He was the editor and Publisher of the China Forum. a Shanghai Communist periodical first published in 1932: the secretary of the Nuolens Defense Committee; a member of the Shanghai branch of society of Friends of the USSR and of China League for Civil Rights. He arrived in Shanghai from Manila in Dec. 1930 and worked for Shanghai Evening Post and Mercury, swithing after a few weeks to the China Press ehere he was employed until,931 (May). In June 1931 Isaacs took a trip up the Yangtze with . Erank Glass, a British Communist and suspected Third International agent. A lankikax & letter wiritten by Isaacs to his fiance, Viola Robinson stated that he was turning "Red" as a result of conversations with GLASS. Ather atatements indicated athat Miss Robinson an American then in Germany, was an active member of the communits Party. Isaacs used the pseddonym of Lo Sen and published in the New Militant organ of the New York Dist. Workers Party, an attack on Stalin entitled Stalintern Roady to Embrace Chiang Kai shek. In 1949 Isaacs was in the employ of the ? American magazine NEWSRESA, New York City, as special projects editor.FILE THIS FORM IN FILE NO.|                                   |           || --------------------------------- | --------- || FORM 867 PREVIOUS EDITIONS SECRET | 281-18446 |
[104-10173-10134.pdf — page 110]
### N.S. BRANCH REPORT205-181 I![Table with columns 'Date', 'Permit Number', 'State', and rows filled with details.]Classification References![Table with column headers 'Source' and 'Details' and corresponding data entries.]REGISTRY COPY
[104-10173-10134.pdf — page 111]
CONFIDENTIALHEADQUARTERS, DETACHMENT AOA-ASTRATEGIC SEVICE UNITBATAIIA, JAIASN: ZM2477REPORT NCI ZB-10REPORT DATE: 8 Doc 45TO : CAPT. BLUECPELL, ATTN: LI BARRETTE INFO DATE : 7 Dec 45FROM : GRABILL NO. PAGES : 2SUBJECT: INTERVIEW BETWEEN MR. HAROLD ISAACS,MR. CHARLES TATSU, AND ER. DIA!.SOURCES: Mr. Harold Isaaca, correspondent for Newswook magazine.Mr. Charles Tácbú, Kalaya born Tamil, formerly employedon Singapore newspapers, nowscastor for Singaporeradio, English-speaking amouncer on Satavic Radioduring occupation, and presently editor of newspaperIndependent.Mr. Dia, ealtor of Merdeka, nationalist newspaper, Batavia.EVALUATION: B-3, except as noted.The subject interview was held at the request of Fr. Isaacsin line with his desire to talk with leading figures of Indonesiannationalist movement who held no official government position.CIRCULATION OF MERDEKAAsked about present circulation of MERDEKA, Mr. Diah repliedwith the following; MERDEKA is the largest Indonesian newspaper onthe island of Java. At present it is printed only in Batavia, witha dally total circulation of about 13,000 copies. Of this number,approximately 6.000 copies aro sent cut of the city by train toBandoeng, Soorakarta, and Djoklakarta, leaving a Batavia circulationof between 10,000 and 14,000 copies. Source exprossed the opinionthat while the Indonesian population of Batavia is in the neighborhoodof 500,000 persons, the literacy rate is portars cnly twenty percentof this figure. Thus, he admitted, MERDEKA 18 probably reaching lessthan four percent of the total Indonesian population of Batavia,despite the fact that Batavia is probably the most literate area onthe island of Java because of corcentration here of all the govern-Fontal functions, prevar and present..When questioned as to why his circulation was so inconsistentwith the potential reasing population, source replied that he wasHandicapped by lack of pasor. He expressed the opinion that acirculation of 50,000 would be assured, and a circulation of as highas 100,000 possible, were sufficient paper avallatie. At the presentrate of onsumption, to estimates that sufficient paper is en tandfrom prewar sticks to oitinue publication of MERDEKA For one yeare(2)CONFIDENTIAL
[104-10173-10134.pdf — page 112]
# THE INDEPENDENTOn December 7, 1945, the MERDEKA press commenced publication of a daily English language newspaper entitled INDEPENDENT. The masthead of this paper states also that it incorporates the INDONESIAN NEWS BULLETIN, a former English language newspaper published by ANTARA News agency.The INDEPENDENT is at present being edited by Mr. Tarbu, with some assistance from Mr. Diah, and using the paper and facilities of MERDEKA.The first issue of INDEPENDENT was remarkable only for its avoidance of any discussion of local affairs, only two articles having anything whatever to do with Java. Questioned about this, Tambu admitted that, while his ultimate ambition was to reach foreign and troop (British) readers, he was hesitant about entering headlong into discussion of local affairs and the Nationalist cause, because, (0-3), the British are unfavorably disposed towards MERDEKA already, and would use his venture as an excuse to confiscate the entire printing plant, were he too openly partisan in his early issues. Within a week or two he hopes to be secure enough in his position to start laying more stress on local news and editorials.The first issue of INDEPENDENT was printed in 400 copies, most of which were given away, although the stated price is 1 Japanese guilder the copy.(2)
[104-10173-10134.pdf — page 113]
27 March 1945To: Lieutenant Colonel ROCER A. PFAFFFrom: John I. CoddingtonSubject: HAROLD ROBERT ISAACSMr. GEORGE N. KATES of 033, P&A, has just returned to the United States from Chungking. He reached Washington yesterday. He claims to have known HAROLD ROBERT ISAACS quite well in Chungking, and has the following observations to make concerning Mr. ISAACS:HAROLD ROBERT ISAACS is about 35 years of age. He attended Columbia University, and received the degree of A.B. there in 1930. He is the son of an orthodox Jewish merchant, who is very wealthy, and who has always supported HAROLD, even though he did not approve of the radical views that HAROLD expressed in the 1930's.HAROLD went to China immediately after graduation from Columbia, partly, atleast, out of a desire to see strange parts of the world and to experience "adventure." He went out by way of Hawaii, and stowed away for part of the voyage - either between San Francisco and Honolulu, or between Honolulu and Shanghai - Mr. KATES does not remember which. Anyway, this was part of the "adventure."In China, HAROLD met a South African named FRANK GLASS, who was an "intellectual" and a very interesting person. CLA33 was a Leftist, but not at all a Communist. HAROLD took a trip up the Yangtse with GLASS in 1930 or 1931. At about this time, HAROLD became a convert to Trotskyism, partly, at least, under GLASS's influence. He felt that "suffering humanity" required a "revolution" to set things straight. Communism was too organized, and HAROLD was a complete individualist, and reacted strongly against the organizational set-up of Communism, and so espoused Trotskyism. He returned to Shanghai from the western part of China, and went to work for
[104-10173-10134.pdf — page 114]
# HAROLD ROBERT ISAACS, continuedTHE HAVAS News Agency. Shortly after this, in Shanghai, he married VIOLA ROBINSON, who was, like HAROLD, a wide-eyed intellectual. This marriage probably took place in 1932. VIOLA was a great friend of AGNES SMEDLEY, the author of the *Battle Hymn of China* and of other books dealing with the Chinese Revolution.An organization called the China League for Civil Rights was formed about 1932. YANG CHI'EN was the head of this for Central China, and Dr. HU SHIH (later Chinese Ambassador to Washington) was the head of it for North China. YANG was at that time Secretary-General of the Academia Sinica. YANG was soon assassinated by the Blue Shirts (at that time CHIANG KAI-SHEK's bodyguard). HAROLD ISAACS had been an enthusiastic member of the China League for Civil Rights, and in the atmosphere of turmoil, after the killing of YANG, when all leftists were under attack by the Kuomintang, HAROLD became the editor and publisher of the *China Forum*, a magazine that published a number of controversial articles. The magazine was protected by the fact that the editor was an American, and therefore had extra-territorial rights. Yet the magazine was regarded as a "thorn in the flesh" by Mr. CUNNINGHAM, who was at that time American Consul-General in Shanghai. There were various controversies -- the printing shop was broken up by Kuomintang strong-arm men; the mails were refused to the magazine; but he continued publication for some time, and smuggled the copies out to the subscribers.In 1933 or 1934, ISAACS had a fight with AGNES SMEDLEY. It was an ideological fight, and therefore especially bitter. ISAACS and his wife left Shanghai after this, and moved to Peking. There he acquired a Chinese translator named LIU, and there he settled down to write his book, *The Tragedy of the Chinese Revolution*.This book "nails the Stalinists to the mast" and shows that they were messing around with a situation in China which they did not understand. Very many people who have read the book consider it excellent.
[104-10173-10134.pdf — page 115]
HAROLD ROBERT ISAACS, continued-3-The book was completed, and ISAACS and his wife returned to the United States about April or May 1935. Immediately after this, ISAACS made a rapid trip to Oslo, Norway, to see his hero, LEON TROTSKY, who was living there at that time. It was on this occasion that he must have undertaken to translate TROTSKY's book, *Whither France* ? ISAACS then returned to New York, and went to work for the HAVAS News Agency once more.At some time in the late 1930's, he became interested in New York politics, and he worked hard for NORMAN THOMAS.By 1940, however, ho became disgusted with New York politics, and became interested in the war, and in bourgeois life." He and his wife had a baby at about this time (their first), and ISAACS found he could write radio scripts and get good money for them. Up to 1940, he had been living chiefly off his father, but from 1940 on, he began to make money. In 1942, he did a "Report to the Nation" for CBS.Soon after this, he joined the Staff of *News-Week*, and in 1944 was sent to Chungking by that magazine. There must have been a certain amount of trouble in convincing the Chinese Central Government that ISAACS had really changed since the old days in Shanghai; but this convication was evidently accomplished, or ISAACS would not have received permission from the Chinese Covernment to go to China.ISAACS is a very smart ran indeed. He knows a lot about China, and he knows a lot about people in general. Moreover, he is a great deal "smoother" and more diplomatic now than he was ten years ago.
[104-10173-10134.pdf — page 116]
To: Lieutenant Colonel ROGER A. PFAFFFrom: John I. CoddingtonSubject: HAROLD ROBERT ISAACS13 March 1945HAROLD ROBERT ISAACS is now the correspondent of *Newsweek* magazine in China. His headquarters are in Chungking, but he evidently travels to Kunming, Kweiyang, and other places in the course of his duties. He seems to have arrived in China in his present capacity during the summer of 1944, probably in July.Subject was born in 1910, and is a member of a wealthy family. He became a firmly convinced Trotskyist in his youth, and remained one till the time of Pearl Harbor. He is now regarded as a renegade by his former Trotskyist colleagues, because he has disavowed the principles of world revolution, turned away from Trotsky's teachings, and since 1939 has been writing patriotic propaganda for the United States Government.He went to China about 1930, and wrote two books dealing with Chinese politics, *Five Years of Kuomintang Reaction* (1932), and *The Tragedy of the Chinese Revolution* (1938). Both of these volumes expressed the author's Trotskyist point of view. The first was published in Shanghai, and the second in London. Neither was ever published in the United States, and ISAACS said that the Stalinist Communists were so powerful in this country that they were able to prevent the publication of *The Tragedy of the Chinese Revolution* here. This book received high praise from many serious students of Far Eastern affairs, including G.F. Hudson, Fellow of All Souls College at Oxford, and author of *The Far East in World Politics*, who said that ISAACS' book was the test one ever written on the Chinese Revolution. Hudson is now an official of the British Ministry of Information.ISAACS' non-Communist and non-Trotskyist friends say that even during the201-18446
[104-10173-10134.pdf — page 117]
HAROLD ROBERT ISAACS, continued.height of his Trotskyist career, ISAACS never accepted money from the group. He was always open and above-board, and never engaged in any conspiracies to overthrow established government. He was attracted to the movement, they say, by sheer idealism.For a time in China, ISAACS lived with Tillman DURDIN, the China correspondent of the *New York Times*, who was then the managing editor of the *China Press*. ISAACS returned to the United States in the late 1930's, and was for a time employed by the havas News Agency, until the fall of France in 1940. In 1943, he was employed by *Newsweek* magazine in Washington, D.C., and resided at 4938 Newport Avenue, Freindship Heights.Publications(a) BooksFive Years of Kuomintang Reaction (Shanghai, China Forum Fublishing Co., 1932), 136 pp. Library of Congress Call No.: DS 777.47.045The Tragedy of the Chinese Revolution (London, Secker & Warburg, 1938) 501 pp. Library of Congress Call No.: DS 774.17(b) TranslationsLev Trotskii (Leon Trotsky), *Whither France*, translated by John G. Wright and Harold R. Isaacs (New York, Pioneer Publishers, 1936). Library of Congress Call No.: DC 398.17(c) Articles in Periodicals"Perspectives of the Chinese Revolution: a Marxist View," *Pacific Affairs*, vol. 8, pp. 269-283, Sept. 1935."Job by Experts," *Newsweek*, p. 30, 7 Aug. 1944."Surprising the Japs," *Newsweek*, pp. 35-36, 7 Aug. 1944."Blowing the Top, *Newsweek*, pp. 45-6, 4 Sept. 1944."Last night in Kweilin," *Newsweek*, pp. 31-32, 25 Sept. 1944.
[104-10173-10134.pdf — page 118]
HAROLD RORSET ISAACS, continued-3-"One Man's Fight against Corruption: the Story behind the Stilwell Incident," *Newsweek*, p. 44, 13 Nov. 1944"Troupers of the CBI," *Newsweek*, p. 100, 13 Nov. 1944"Ignorant Men and Modern Weapons: Inside Story of the Chinese Army, *Newsweek*, p. 44, 20 Nov. 1944"Death for Kweiyang," *Newsweek*, p. 36, 18 Dec. 1944"Dorn of the Salween," *Newsweek*, pp. 26-27, 1 Jan. 1945"First Truck to Kunming," *Newsweek*, p. 34, 29 Jan. 1945"Ting Hao: Shouts of Welcome met First Convoy to Kunming, *Newsweek*, pp. 35-36, 12 Feb. 1945BibliographySI Files #25,443: 6 October 1943Books and Periodicals in Library of Congress:
[104-10173-10134.pdf — page 119]
OFFICE OF STRATEGIC SERVICES630 FIFTH AVENUENEW YORK 20, N. Y.CONFIDENTIAL10 March 1945To Major General William J DonovanFrom John C HughesSubject Harold R IsaacsPursuant to our telephone conversation, I asked Mr DoVecchi of this office to check with Alan Grover, Vice President of "Time and Life". One of the men with whom Grover works very closely knows Isaacs intimately. In this man's opinion, Isaacs is a very solid and substantial citizen, knowledgable, hard working and an able correspondent of good character. He states that he has recently had occasion to communicate with Isaacs and that his address is:Harold R IsaacsWar CorrespondentU.S.F. CTAPO 627c/o Postmaster, New York
[104-10173-10134.pdf — page 120]
OFFICE OF STRATEGIC SERVICES630 FIFTH AVENUENEW YORK 20, N.Y.CONFIDENTIALMarch 9, 1945MEMORANDUMTO: MR. SPENCER PHENIXFROM: ROSNET DEVECCHIAlan Grover, Vice-President of TIME, LIFE, at my request checked with one of the men in his or- ganization who knows Harold R. Isaacs personally.He told Mr. Grover that Mr. Isaacs, in his opinion, is a very solid and substantial citizen, knowledgable, hard working, good character, and an able correspondent.Mr. Isaacs can be reached at the following address:HAROLD R. ISAACSWar CorrespondentU.S.F. CTAPO 627c/o Postmaster New York, N.Y.
[104-10173-10134.pdf — page 121]
# SECRETDOCUMENT TRANSFER AND CROSS REFERENCE| SUBJECT OF DOCUMENT                                              | DOCUMENT IDENTIFICATION                                    || ---------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------- || Various reports and newspapers clippings relating to operations. | 2. RI FILE NO. China CLA-OF-                               ||                                                                  | 3. DISPATCH ON SOURCE DOC. SYMBOL NO. SMP-D-5760 "Box. 203 ||                                                                  | 4. DATE 26 Aug. 35                                         || 5. ANALYST JEP                                                   | 6. DATE PROCESSED 21 Nov. 63                               ||                                                                  | 10. DISSEMINATED IN                                        ||                                                                  | 11. DATE                                                   || 12. CROSS REFERRED TO THIS FILE                                  | DOCUMENT DISPOSITION 13. TRANSFERRED TO RI FILE NO.        |14. PERTINENT INFORMATION:THE NORTH-CHINA Daily NEWS Saturday 6 July 35Mr. Harold R. Isaacs, an American and Publisher of the communist Publication "China Forum. YUAN Haueh editor of the chinese section. of the "China Forum.15. FILE THIS FORM IN FILE NO.201-18446
[104-10173-10134.pdf — page 122]
SECRETDOCUMENT TRANSFER AND CROSS REFERENCESUBJECT OF DOCUMENTVICTOR MUSSIK's visit to AMOY.DOCUMENT IDENTIFICATIONRI FILE NO.CHINA CIA OP-11. DATE26 Jan. 34D 14227. SOURCE CRYPTONYM 8. DATE OF INFO. 9. EVALUATION5. ANALYSTJEP6. DATE PROCESSED£3 Dec. 6310. DISSEMINATED IN11. DATEDOCUMENT DISPOSITION12. CROSS REFERRED TO THIS FILEXXX13. TRANSFERRED TO RI FILE NO.PERTINENT INFORMATION14. The Japanese Consular Authorities at Amoy are of the belief that H. R, Isaacs went Amoy between Dec. 24 1933 and Jan 3, 1934, under the name of Victor Mussik, the local Jananese authorities, therefore, request for infc regarding the movements of Victor Mussik during the afore mentioned period to ascertain if He actually visited amoy during this period15. FILE THIS FORM IN FILE NO.20%-182/4
[104-10173-10134.pdf — page 123]
SECRETDOCUMENT TRANSFER AND CROSS REFERENCESUBJECT OF DOCUMENTAttack on BookstoresDOCUMENT IDENTIFICATION2. RI FILE NO. China-cia-op-13. DISPATCH OR SOURCE SEC. SYMBOL NO. SMP-5454-3 box 2004. DATE 21 Dec 335. SOURCE CRYPTONYM 8. DATE OF INFO. 9. EVALUATION3. ANALYST JAMES E. Plaugher6. DATE PROCESSED 21 Nov, 6310. DISSEMINATED IN 11. DATEDOCUMENT DISPOSITION12. CROSS REFERRED TO THIS FILE XXXXX13. TRANSFERRED TO RI FILE NO.14. PERTINENT INFORMATIONThe second incident was seen in the entry by persons unknown on the night, of November 14 of premises of the Lev el Printing Co., incorporated in New York printers and publisher of the "China Forum" a bi-lingual magazine under the editor-ship of an American named Harold R. Isaacs, which has dicided communistic sympathies.15. FILE THIS FORM IN FILE NO. 201-18446SECRET