Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1919-11-18
MARTENS ADMITS
COMPLETELY IN
RUSSIAN REVOLT
Self If-StyIed Ambassador of
Soviet Government BareS
Plot Which Resulted in Ro-
manoff'S Downfall,

tBY HoSHING JOURNAL EsEcuAL LEASED wiFEI
New York. Nov. 17.-Ludwig c. A.
x. Martens today testified that he
was one of the leaders in the over
throw of the Russian imperial gov
ernment through propaganda directed
from Berlin and that he had been
eXiled for revolutionary activities in
Russia in 1905 and 1906. Martens and
Lenine We're members of the same
student body at the Pathological insti-
tute in st. Petersburg and both suf-
fered Imprisonment, Martens being
deported to Germany.
This testimony from the self-styled
Ambassador of the Russian Soviet
Republic" was elected in an effort to
show that the collapse of the Russian
government was the result of a Ger
man plot.
"The Russian revolution was my
life" Martens declared in telling the
joint legislative committee inyestigat-
ing radical activities in this state, the
story of his relations with the Russian
BolshevilSi. He appeared before the
committee under arrest for contempt
of court after having refused Satur-
day to submit to examination or to
supply correspondence with his gov
ernment. He maintained that his per-
son and his papers were entitled to
diplomatic immunity.
The story of the plot against the
Romanoffs, which covered many
years was brought out by questions
put to Martens by Deputy Attorney
General Berger
Pressed Into Military Service.
Martens stated that upon his ar
rival in Berlin he was pressed into
the German military service and
served in barracks.
ION what theory did the German
military authorities press you into the
army?" he was asked.
Because my father and mother
We're German citizens" he replied,
On leaving the army he entered
Charlottenberg polytechnical institute
in Germany, he said, and later be-
came an engineer in the employ of a
Hamburg firm. For twelve years he
was engaged ina propaganda work,
plotting the overthrow of the Russian
government from Germany, he said.
During this period he testified he
conferred with Lenine and Trotzky in
1901, in Switzerland, and in 1903 in
Berlin. Part of the propaganda was
Matched in France and Switzerland,
he added.
He was organizer of the Russian
workmen in the revolution in Russia
in 1905, he said. and added that his
activities We're not interfered with in
Germany.
Were you under pay when you
were in Switzerland consulting with
Lenine2" Martens was asked.
Il was working as an engineer" he
answered.
Came to U. s. in 1916.
His conference with Lenine was for
the purpose of bringing together the
Bolsheviki and Menshiviki for con-
certed action against the czar's gov
ernment. he said.
Martens told the committee he
came to this country in 1916. Asked
what citizenship he claimed, he said:
81 claimed German citizenship. I
was forced to-"
He explained that the British au-
thorities, despite the fact that he
claimed Russian citizenship, made
him register as citizen of Germany
He was classified as a Russian, he
said, but was technically a German
He failed to register as an enemy
alien, he testified
He formally acquired Russian cit-
Zenship in May or June, 1917, when he
was informed of his new allegiance by
a relative in Russia. He originally
applied for citizenship as a boy of II,
he said, but he had been refused,
Mr., Berger inquired if under this
procedure and former Russian who
desired could be alenated from
American citizenship and made a citi-
zen of the soviet republic.
How many persons that you
know have become citizens of Soviet
Russia by this method" Martens was
asked
"The ambassador" said he knew of
no others.
Archibald E. Stevenson. associate
counsel for the committee. read a /
copy of the communist manifesto
which appealed to all workers to rise
in social revolution against capitalist
governments, Martens admitted that
he was a member of the communist
party.
Mr. Stevenson called the attention
of the witness to the fact that the
manifesto called for reign of terror
and violence" and asked him if he |
subscribed to it.
Martens replied that the soviet gov
ernment only advocated that policy as
a defensive measure.
Following examination. Mr.. Stew
enson issued a statement in which |
he said the testimony of Martens ''in-
dicates clearly that the Russian Soviet |
Republic seeks the overthrow of
every organized government through
out the world"
1T is interesting to note" he said, |
"that the communist party of Amer
lea pledges it's members to support |
the communist internationale. Added
interest is given to the situation by
the opinion of Chief Magistrate Nc
Adoo in holding that all members of
the communist party of America are
guilty of, criminal anarchy in this
state.