New-York tribune., 1918-04-19
Eastman Denies He
Is Pro-Gernnan or
Violated Spy Law
"Masses" Editor, on Trial,
Offers Letter From Presi-
dent as Evidence

Max Eastman, managing editor of
"The Masses" who, with three of his
o-workers-Floyd Dell, Arthur Young
and Merrill Rogers-is on trial be-
fore Federal Judge Augustus C. Hand
on charge of using the magazine
last summer to spread anti-war propa-
ganda in violation of the espionage
law, yesterday read to the jury let
ter written to him by President Will
son. The letter was presented as evil
dence to refute the governments con-
tenton that the men entered into
conspiracy to discourage enlistment
and recruiting.
When Assistant District Attorney
Earl Barnes objected to the introduc-
tion of the letter, Morris Hillquit,
counsel for the defence, argued that
it was material as showing that Mr.
Eastman event to Washington to con-
suit with the chief of our army and
navy" with a view of obtaining Off
cial tolerance FOR men who conscien-
tiously objected to fight. Mr.. Eastman,
as the first witness for the Defence
denied ever having attempted to cir
culate his magazine among men liable
to military uuty.
Must Draw Linc,' Wilson Said
President Wilson's letter, which was
dated September IS. 1917, as read in
court, said:
you very warmly for your generous
appreciation Of my reply to the Pope,
and l wish that l could agree with
those parts of your letter which con-
Germ the other matters we were dis
cussng when you we're down here. I
think that .he time of war must be
regarded as wholly exceptional, and that
it is legitimate to regard things which
in ordinary circumstances would be in
nocent as dangerous to the public well
fare: but the line is manfestly exceed
ingly hard to draw, and I cannot saw
that have confidence that know how
to draw it. | can only say that a line
must be drawn and that we are trying,
it may be clumsily. but genuinely, to
draw it, without fear or favor or preiu-
dice"
Mr.. Eastman had not been examined
as to his interview with the President
when court adjourned. He probably
will be cross-eXamined when the trial
is resumed rhis morning.
On direct examination the witness
was asked:
Did you at any time receive finan-
cial aid for your magazine from any
foreign government or from any pro-
German sourcc?"
"Ncvcr," answered MIR. Eastman. eve
never made any money with the maya
zinc and we occasionally called upon
we'll known persons to help us. But
the money never came from any one
who was unfricndly to the govern
mert."
Mr.. Eastman said that while he was
not pacihst he was not preiudiccd
against paciists. Although he had
written articles disappearing of the
philosophy of Emma Goldman and Alex
ander Rerkman, the anarchists, he said.
he had advocated that they be given a
fair trial. He said he had known one
conscientious objector who had been
called "a coward" and then had killed
himself to prove that he "was brave
enough to die rather than kill others" "
Claims Place With Martyrs
"The object of The Masses was TO
combat the ritual of persecution i'm :
posed by the newspapers upon those
who would not violate their con-
sciences, and VIC believe the American
people would not withhold from them
the admiration they gave to Nathan
Hale, Abraham Lincoln and Jesus
Christ" said Mr.. Eastman.
Mr.. Eastman testified that he was the
son of Il Congrcgationalst minister.
who was a member Of the G. A. r., and
that his mother was the descendant of
II Revolutionary War veteran. He was
the author of volumes Of poetry and n
volume called Understanding Ger
many"
AS tending to show that "Tbe
Masses' published sentiments condemn.
ing Germany, Dudley Field Malone, also
counsel for the defence, stood before
the jury and read dramatically poem