Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1919-02-21
Disorder at Hearing of Louise
Bryant, Alleged BoISheviki
PropagandiSt, Leads to the
Crowd Being Barred,
SOVIET GOVERNMENT
Is NOT PR0-GERMAN
Witness, Who Went to Russia
as a Press. Correspondent
Admits Leaving Country on
a BoIShevtk Passport,

Washington, Feb. "20.--Spectators
were cleared from the hearing room
of the senate propaganda investigat-
ing committee today because Kisses,
attempts at applause and general
commotion interrupted the testimony
of Louise Bryant, wife of John Reed,
an American writer recently return
ed from Russia, who, the witness
said, was employed in the propagan-
da department of the Bolshevik gov
ornment.
Trouble started from the moment
Miss Bryant, as she is known, took
the stand and began answering quos-
tions about her religious beliefs and
understanding of the nature of an
oath. Manifestations of interest
among the spectators grew as she
was examined about her participa-
ton in Woman Party demonstra-
tions, including the attempt to burn
President Wilson in effigy before the
White House and about speech she
made at a recent Washington meet
ing that was largely responsible for
the committees new investigation. AS
the spectators Were being put out,
Chairman Overman began to ask the
witness about her husbands employ
ment. Her answer brought from
Senator Nelson the admonition;
"Don't be so impertinent'
A section of the audience applaudc1
again and the clearing out proceeded
more rapidly.
When the room was cleared Scna-
tor King picked up a book written by
Miss Bryant and asked, "Ncre YOU
a member OF the international reVo-
lutionary propaganda with which
| Poris Reinstein of Buffalo was asso-
| ciated?"
Yes replied the witness.
t Had Eolshcvik Passpmr.
| Miss Bryant said she had Rolshe-
| vik passport when she went to stock
holm from Russia and admitted she
was "a comrade of the Bolshcvild." ."
She explained that Everybody is
| called cOmrade,"
Would the Bolshevlki call a rep
resentative of the American govern
ment comrade" asked Senator Nel-
son.
"Oh. no." replied the witness, DE
cause, Mr.. Francis was not popular.
| They called Mr.. Robins Gan American
| Red Cross official1 comrade. though.
| He was regarded as a real American
in sympathy with the revolution and
the real representative of America"
The witness at that point stated
| that she wished to get into the rec
ord Of the soviet government was not
responsible for the naturalization OF
women.
"The anarchists did that and they
were shot, said the witness.
| Miss Bryant said she went to Rus
| sia as a correspondent for the Phila-
| delphia Public Ledger and that she
visited Petrograd and Moscow. She
said it was true that she left Russia
! on a Bolshevik passport as an Off
cia courier of the Bolsheviki
The questioning turned back to the
naturalization of women and the
witness said Jerome Davis, head OF
the Y. M. C. A. in Russia, would sup
| port her contention. She said Davis
| had made statement to this effect
J in the New York Call
! That's a socialist paper, isn't it?''
! asked Senator Nelson.
yes" replied Miss Bryant.
! Miss Bryant said the propaganda
with which her husband had to dc
was aimed at starting a revolution in
| Russia.
Miss Bryant said while in Russia
she met Miss Bessie Beatty, cores
pondent of the New York Call, and
| A. Dosch- -Fleurat of the New Yorl;
| World.
"Who brought information to Col
onel Robins of the Red Cross?" asked
Major Humes.
MISS Beatty, myself, Reinstnin
| Mr. Williams and my husband, Mr.
John Reed" she said.
Some BoIshcyiki Shot.
She said when she was passing
through Finland the white guard
came through the train, took some
Bolsheviki off and shot them.
"Why didn't they shoot you; yor
lind a ROlsheYist passport and nanerS