New-York tribune., 1919-06-20
Martens Bureau in This
City i'm Correspondence
With /. W. w. Leaders
Throughout United States
Prominent Names on List
Soviet Leader Says Expos
ure of Bakhmeteff Would
affect State Department

Developments in the Lusk Commit
tees investigation of Bolshevism yes
terday we're:
i. G. V. Lomonosoff, q Russian
engineer connected with the Rus
sian Soviet Republic branch in New
York, said in a document that was
Department in Washington knows
that the Martens agency here COM
municates with the Lenine-Trotzky
government in Moscow, and knows
that the agency here receives large
sums from Moscow"
2. Lomonosoff said an expose of
"Bakhmeteff & Co.." such as the Sow
let government can make, will "invol-
UNFAIRLY affect the State Department
and Treasury and for that reason
he thinks it mot worth while~7to
provoke the American rulers"
8. Ludwig C. A. X. Martens, head Of
the Soviet branch here, between
March % and June IL, deposited
$14,199 in two local banks, against
WulCu UC CIcChcO. 11lS QCpOollS
variably were made in currency.
d. Morris Hillquit, Socialist can
ddate for Mayor in 1917, is one Of
the legal advisers of Martens.
Dealt With I. w. w. Here
S. Santeri Nuorteva, secretary of
the soviet republic branch here, was
in correspondence with l. w. w. and
Soviet locals in various parts of the
United States.
The document written by Lomonosof1
involving the Acting Secretary o
State and limiting at "exposes" tina
would be embarrassing both to tn
State Department and the Russian SOW
let republic, was spread upon the rec
ord near the close of the hearing yes
terday, the translation being read b,
George Starr. 1t is as follows:
From two Independent sources
have been informed that there is be
ing organized now in New York a syn
dicate for trading with soviet Russia
Originally it was evidently intended t.
operate principally through the Balti
Sea. but later, in connection with tn
formation of the Nansen Commission
the centre of effort has been trans
ferred to the Black Sea. In connec
tion with this, the initiators are striv
ing to obtain the participation of per
sons close to British interests.
Interested in Trade
cat present they are apparentl
principals interested in the diplomat
possibility of trading with soviet Rus
sia, and the possibility of the passag
of vessels through the Bosporus an
the Dardanelles. To explain the frs
question, a deputation was ordered t
Washington which had a conversatio
with the Acting Secretary of State.
"Those who made the trip made
report on this conversation at specia
luncheon of the persons interested
by them are: Recognition cannot b
expected in the near future, but upo
the declaration of peace the Fedora
government will not prevent privat
persons trading with soviet Russia E
their own risk. From this viewpoint
also tolerates our bureau, although
knows that we communicate with Mos
COW and receive large sums from ther'
For the present, however, the govern
ment would not recommend enterln
into direct intercourse with US, as &
present trading is not possible and ou
conduct is not quite defined.
He Asks for Instructions
"ln connection with this event an
other conversations which l have ha
occasion to carry on with American
ask your instructions. Is it possib
in private conversations, once one
asked about it, to state directly tht
we are not only not engaged in tf
propaganda but have such instruction
from Moscow.
"Thc fact is interesting also ths
the acting Secretary Of State expresse
dissatisfaction with the newspapers fe
the excessive attention given to o,
bureau, but at the same time expresse
himself as very dissatisfied with tt
czarist officials representing at prese'
Kolchak- Denikin. Nevertheless, in h
opinion, our affairs and their affair
is not permissible. And our letter
Bakhmeteff was insolcnt, cannot b
express my opinion in this respect TIL
the Federal government has gone tt
far in their patronage of Bakhmetie
& Co.
"Their expose will involuntarily a
feet the State Department and t