New-York tribune., 1919-12-18
Martens Faces
Jail, Defying
Lllsk Inquiry
Heads of Soviet Bureau
Here Ordered to Court
Tomorrow TO Answer
Charges Of Contempt

Ludwig G. A. K, Martens. head of
the Russian Soviet Bureau, 10 West
Fortieth Street; Santeri Nuorteva, tho
secretary, and Dr. Michael Mislig, for
mer treasurer Of the Russian Federa-
ton, yesterday were ordered by Justice
Samue! Greenbaum In the Supreme
Court to appear before him to-mor-
VOW to show cause why they should not
be adjudged in contempt for refusing
to answer questions put TO them by
the Lusk Legislative committee,
The order to show cause was issued
On complaint Of Samuel A. Berger,
Deputy Attorney General, who alleged
that information supposed to be in pos
session Of the three men was neces
sary in the committees investigation
of radicalism The committee asks that
Martens. Nuorteva and Mislig "be con-
fined in the county jail until they agree
10 answer the questions"
"Underground" Revealed
One of the revelations made by the
committee was that Martens main
tained secret communication with the
Soviet government in Russia; that he
frequently received couriers from
Lenine and Trotzky, and that mes
sengers carrying funds from Russia
arrived at his Fortieth Street office
without the knowledge OF the customs
or immigration officials. Martens ad-
mitted he had received "diplomatic
orrespondence" and that to avoid its
falling into the hands Of the Lusk COM
mittee he had removed it out of the
jurisdiction Of the state.
In defiance Of threatened contempt
proceedings he fatty refused to di-
vulVe the contents of his correspon-
dence on the ground that it was privi-
legged as between q foreign government
and it's agent Nuorteva refused to
disclose similar information. Dr. Mis-
lig declined to give the names of otti-
cals of the Russian Federation as re-
quired by the committee.
A widespread campaign to stir up
agitation for the liberation OF "polltl-
cal prisoners" has been started by or
gunizations which have opened mead
quarters at 957 Broadway. Thousands
Of circulars are being sent through
the mail by NJ. Il. Fitzgerald, who is
in charge.
Union Protest Urged
One circular, signed by officials OF
five unions affiliated with the Central
Federated Union of greater Now York,
calls upon unions to protest against
the continued Imprisonment of persons
convicted under the espionage law.
"There is scarcely q prison in all
these United States but contains some
tortured man who is there because he
believed in labors cause" says the
circular.
at is necessary for the future lib
erty Of this country that American
labor see to it that the prison doors
swing open and set free the men and
women who are suffering under war
time measures There are over l,5O0
such prisoners in the American Jails
o-day. 1t is not only labor's absolute
right, but if labor is to maintain Its
sell respect it must stand back of
every man who is now IN PRISON De.
cause of labor's struggle. Labor must
demand the realization in America of
some Of the things that we were sup
posed to be fighting for in Europe
This circular is signed by R.. Modest
Cigarmakers' Union No. 90; James }
Bagley, president Franklin Union No
23; VI. J. Coyne, Federal Employees
Union No. a; NJ. Murphy. Engineers
Union No. 90, and p. j. Spelman
PAYERS Union.
"Is Opinion q Crime:"
Another circular, headed "1s Opinion
Crime?" is being circulated by the
League for the Amnesty of Politica
! Prisoners, at the same address. It pro
tests against the punishment of Moliit
Steiner, the Russian girl who was
sentenced to fifteen years for circulat
ing a leaflet against military interven
tion in Russia. Three men who were
codefendants were given twenty years
imprisonment
Commenting on the sentences thu
league says: "Men and women O
America, have we sacrificed thouscnd:
! Of young lives in the great war onl!
/ to achieve such democracy ns thus
A democracy in which the expression
Of sn opinion is to be punished b.
twenty years in prison? Is II for thi
thav you have suffered and sacrificed
1t is for you to speak. Speak before i
is too late
CORLIEs MACY CO. INC.
Easf I6th Streat-2O John 1T