New-York tribune., 1918-10-04
John Reed, Editor,
WarCorrespondent,
Consul, Testi6es
Bolshevik Emissary Takes
Stand in Conspiracy Trial
Of eMasses" Heads
BY BRIGGS

John Reed defendant, became John
heed, war correspondent, yesterday,
when on the witness stand in the
United States District Court he under
took to tell the jury why he did not
believe In war and why be wrote GER
tain articles, for which he, with Max
Eastman and other editors of "Thc
s'asses,' was charged with conspiracy
under the espionage act.
Tive been on all but two hattie
frunts," related Reed It have seen
men fruzen7 starved, screaming, dying
In the mud on these fronts-and then
came hack TO find American society
women knitting socks for soldiers
with Caruso singing at the knitting
parties. I came hack 30 find that war
was fashionable, and that society peo-
pie and rich people wanted to get into
this newest fashion. And because
knew what war was L opposed the en-
trance of the United States into the
war"
Describes War Horrors
Mr. Reed then described IN detail
the horrors OF war as he had seen
them, and explained his canton aKnit,
Strait Jacket for Your Soldier Bow"
over news item as being q warming
to mothers about what the Truth ahout.
the European war really was
Opon question by Federal I,rdre
Martin T. Manton Reed said he was
still opposed to war, and claimed ex-
cmption in the draft on that ground,
rs we'll as upon that of physical disa-
bility.
Regarding the Russian situation, the
defendant testified he knew some of
the recent letters published by Cree!
were forgeries."
"Do you know that CreeI knows thew
are forgcries ?" Seymour Stedman.
counsel for defence, asked
I'VE are not trying Mr.. Creel," in
terpcsed the judge.
When asked by the prosecution
whether he was interested in the war
OF the people against capitalism,7 he
replied: ."To tell the truth that is the
H..
Eastman Testifies
Examination of Max Eastman. de-
tendant, was concluded at yesterdav's
session. The editor described a con
terence he had with Postmaster con
eral Burleston, in company with Mr.
4. W. Scrlpps, of the United Press. in
which MIR. Burleston was s'ver5 cour-
teous T and very decent" according to
81 told him" said Eastman chat
respected MS sincerity and patriotic
motives, but that thought his action
IN suppressing magazines without civ.
ing Its editors a chance to know what
IN Mehe matter was was un-American. Mr.
oripps then Int into MIR. Burleson and
told him he didn't know the difference
between poet and traitor. and that
ne was a fool That made Mr.. Rur.
leson mad, and have never heard from
him since"
Eastman paid high tribute to Alex.
ander Berkman and Emma Goldman or
the stand for their courage and de.
votlon," though he said he did not
agree with them in their anarchisti1
philosophy. He said he had pleaded
mat consclentious objectors be sent te
jail with certain "sorrowful dignity.'
Regarding cartoon in evidence
which showed "Big Business" waving
hand to Congress, saying: "Rur
away, we don't want you now since
you've declared war for US" Art Youne
testified yesterday he was merely ex
pressing the opinion of many Congress-
men themselves down in Washington.
Il lived in hotel with ninety Con
gressman," the cartoonist said. "anf
they We're all peeved and angry at the
way big business men went down te
Washington rs dollar-a-year men anc
took the war out of their hands. One
Representative told me himself thai
congressman were no better than bell
hops down there"
The trial will be resumed this morn
ing.