New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-02-21
Apologist for Bolslevil<i
Iestifies at Propaganda
Hearing Before Senators
Was Courier for Soviet
Thinks Russia Should BE
Left TO Fate, in Spite of
the Hardship to People
,Ne1o York Tribune
Jfushi,i0f0n Bstrccu

Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON, Feb. 20.-Louise
Bryant, apologist for the Bolsheviki in
many lectures, and wife Of John Reed,
who once was appointed by the Soviet
government as consul general to New
York, spent three hours on the stand
before the Overman propaganda in
quiry committee this afternoon Her
examination was filled with sharp con-
fiicts with the members of the COM
mlttce, who, after q dozen hearings, in
which horror after horror has been
recounted. were decidedly hostile to any
apology for the Bolsheviki and inclined
TO challenge testimony in their defence
The big hearing room was packed
with the biggest crowd of the session,
composed partly of curiosity seekers
and partly OF faddist sympathizers, who
apparently came to support the wit
ness. Both were largely disappointed,
for the room was cleared Of spectators
when Chairman Overman's warning at
the nrst applause was dlsregarded and
second disturbance started with clap
ping, calls and Kisses. Reporters, the
witness $ husband and a few others
were permitted to remain, and when,
an hour later, the crowd was read
mitted, it kept quiet.
Denies She Is Propagandist
Miss Bryant denied that she had
been d propagandist for the Boil
sheyiki, asserting she was constantly
being importuned to tell the truth
about Russia. She denied most Of the
charges made against them by previ-
Gus witnesses she had seen no starva-
~ /
heved the Soviets represented ninety
eight per cent of all Russians. She
considered Nine Breshkovsky a delud-
ed, broken old woman, with glorious
past.
1t was brought out that she left
Russia three months after the Boil
shevik revolution, and most of the
testimony has been that the real hor-
rors did not break out until after the
people began to be disillusioned as
to the Bolshevik promises.
But Miss Bryant was confident in
information she had Prom friends that
this testimony also was false. She de-
manded that several people, notably
Raymond Robins, who has been ac-
cused of sympathy with the Bolsheviki
be called to substantiate her opinion.
Senator Walcott took pains to bring
out Miss Bryant's own position. She
S@id Sne DeueVed the SOVIET govern
ment was best for Russia and was
wanted by the Russians, but that she
was not sure it could be worked out in
this country, and IN any case did not
favor violent revolution to bring it
here. She also believed the Russians
should be left to work out their own
salvation, regardless of the costs in life
and suffering, "the usual incidents of
revolution" Diminishing them with a
wave of the hand.
Says Husband Aided Trotzly
Senator King brought out that on
gong to Russia She had sworn not
10 engage in any political propaganda
while there. She denied she had done
so, but admitted that her husband. who
took the same oath, had worked for
Trotzky in the Soviet Foreign Office
getting out propaganda. This, she in
sisted, was aimed to bring ON revo-
Tuition IN Germany, and was never hos
tile tothe United States. She offered
to produce some OF Reeds writings, and
Senator Nelson replied he only wanted
the facts.
well, these are facts. How can
yoV know without looking at them %
she challenged
Don't be Impairment" said the
senator, and part of the audience
applauded. Senator Overman gave his
warning, and then turning, said that
the witness was entitled to the same