New-York tribune., 1919-12-23
Soviet Envoy Says He Will
Reveal Counter Revolu.
tionary Propaganda" in
America Against Russia
New Inquiry Welcomed
Full Information in Regard
to His Mission i'm This
Country Is Promised

Ludwig c. AK. Martens, head of the
Russian Soviet Bureau, who has re-
FUSED to answer questions put to him
by the Lusk legislative. committee. last
night announced that he was ready to
appear before the Senate Committee on
Foreign Relations at WASHINGTON and
tell all he knows.
he SAID he was prepared to make
sensational disclosures concerning
counter revolutionary propaganda"
which he alleges has been carried on
in this country against Soviet Russia.
For weeks Mr.. Martens has defied the
Lusk committee. When the committee
obtained writ calling upon him to
show cause why he should not be I'M
prisoned for contempt, Mr.. Martens de-
parted for Washington. He admitted
that he had removed from the jurisdic
ton OF the state certain letters and
documents demanded by the committee.
Secret Courier Service Charged
Some of the questions which Mr..
Martens refused to answer concerned
the maintenance of secret courier
service between his bureau at 10 West
Fortieth Street and the Bolshevik
leaders in Russia, by which messages
and money are sent here by Lenine
and Trotzky. When Mr.. Martens re-
fusal to comply with the demands of
the Lusk Committee became knownsin
Washington the Senate Committee on
Foreign Relations was authorized to
subpoena him.
I'VE welcome the action Of the
Senate in ordering an investigation of
all Russian agencies in America" said a
statement issued by Mr. Martens bureau
last night. I'VE have sought to pre-
sent our case to the American people
and to the American government in
the frankest manner. We are espe-
cally pleased that the terms of the
resolution are broad enough to en-
power the committee to make thor
ough Investigation of all persons and
agencies in this country purporting
to represent some interest or faction
in Russia. Upon the facts brought
out in public hearing of this nature
the American people will be able to
of the reactionary and counter
revolutionary factions contending
against the Soviet republic.
Counter Propaganda Alleged
Gan extensive propaganda has been
carried on in America by various agents
of these counter-revo lutionary factions,
and it is essential to clear under
standing of the Russian situation that
the extent and nature of this propa-
ganda and the interests which are sup
porting it should be revealed We are
confident that such an investigation as
the Foreign Relations Committee is
now empowered to conduct will reveal
facts Of the greatest Importance to the
American people at this time.
"1n order to provide the committee
with such testimony and information
as may be relevant to the investiga-
ton, Mr.. Martens expects to spend
most of his time during the present
session of Congress in Washington,
where he will be conveniently accessi-
bic to the committee, as we'll as to
such other officials of the United States
government as may be interested in
the work of the bureau. Mr.. Martens
will be constantly at the disposal Of
the committee, either to appear in per-
son or to afford any other assistance
which may enable them to arrive at a
complete understanding of the activi
ties and purposes of his mission in the
United States"