New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-11-19

the government | have the honor to
represent. While such treatment Is
fiagrantly at variance with the treat
ment accorded in my country to rep
resentatives Of the United States, who
have been treated according to all the
rules Of international courtesy, al
though no official relations exist be-
tween my government and the United
States, l principally object to and pro-
test against the fact that such investi-
cations are being exploited by those
conducting them in manner not con-
sistcnt with truth or decency.
newspapers to-day carried glaring
headlines stating | admitted to tho
investigators | am engaged in efforts
to overthrow the United States gov
eminent, and am informed that the
committee in charge of the investiga-
tion has notified the State Department
to this effect | have made no such
admission and could not have made
such an admission in view Of the sim
pie fact that | am not and my gov
eminent is not in any manner what
soever interfering with the affairs of
the United States. | protest against
the indecent attempts by perverson of
the truth to create false impressions
in this respect"
Headlines At Variance With Facts
Seated at his glass-topped desk, Mar
tens agreed to answer questions put
to him.
isn't it true that if an agent of
my other foreign government in Rus
sla were to foster the overthrow of
The Soviet government he would be
shot or chased OUT" he was asked.
First of ALL" Martens replied
neither the Russian Soviet govern
ment nor nor my bureau have been
Engaged in any efforts. directly or indi-
rcctly, to overthrow the United States
government. The headlines in the
papers announcing that made that
admission to the Lusk Committee are
absolutely at variance with the facts
and with my testimony.
Il suppose that in most countries the
governments would take drastic steps
toward representatives of other gov
ernments who were trying to foster
movements to overthrow them. The
only country | know where in quite Il
few cases no steps have been taken
against such foreign agents is in
soviet Russia, where representatives Of
other governments, including Ameri-
cans, have been openly urging the peo-
Pile to overthrow their government"
Ready to Leave United States
"Do you think you could be deported
from this country for trying to over
throw the government" he was asked.
There is no need Of speaking of de-
portation," he replied, cas- no cause for
deportation has been proved. My offer
to provide passage for all citizens of
Soviet Russia i'll this country who want
to depart or whose departure is re
quested by the United States has been
made in good faith. As soon as the
United States permits me to bring to
this country ships from Russia and
sufficient funds to provide for the
passage of Russians, as we'll as guar
antees for safe passage to the terri
tory of Soviet Russia, | am ready to
carry out my offer"
"Would you go without being de-
ported?" he was asked.
IF the United States" he replied,
expressly demands my departure, T
shall 60, of course. As long as no such
request has been made, shall remain
here trying to establish friendly rola-
tons between the United States and
Soviet Russia
He said he had informed his COVERT
ment about the treatment accorded
him, but declined TO state by what
means.
The appearance Of Martens before
the Lusk committee and recent raids
on Reds" here and elsewhere arc be-
lieved to have been responsible for the
grand jury swerving from the course
of the inquiry into the Hylan admin
stration on which it seemed intent.
1t is believed the grand jury viii de-
vote all its time to criminal anarchy
for several days.
In the jury anteroom yesterday were
Archibald T.. Stevenson and Frederick
r Rich Of the Iusk committee and
Deputy Attorney General Berger.