The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-02-17
Soviet Ambassador Refuses to
Reveal His Orders.
Admits He Still Holds Papers
From Russia.
TELLS OF U. S. PROPAGANDA
Wanted e. S. Manufacturers to
Have Russ Trade.
Told Them How Europeans
Were GObbling Markets.

Washington, Feb. 11.-Ludwig c.
A. K. Martens, soviet representative
in the United States, today defied the
senate foreign relations subcommittee
and refused to disclose secret instruc-
tons from his government.
These documents have been hid
den, he said, and he declined to dis
close their location. Some have been
destroyed. ne said.
Maxtens was cross questioned for
the first time by Wade H. Ellis, at
torney for the committee.
do you still refuse to submit your
instructions and correspondence, Sc
cret and otherwise % Ellis asked.
Il do" Martens replied. 1--WE can
not reveal our secret code"
Have you destroyed any of these
Documents"
Not very many. only part of
York authorities that I had it hid. l
don't know where it is. but it is con-
cealed in a safe place" he added.
Martens also refused again to dis
close the names of soviet couriers to
America
Martens disclaimed knowledge of
the facts surrounding the seizure of a
soviet courier in London bearing revo-
lutionary documents en- route to
America.
Admits Propaganda.
Martens acknowledged sending out
one thousand copies of a circular ad-
dressed to American smanufa cturers
and exporters in which he asserted
that British men are entering Russian
| markets without the handicap of such
restrictions" as are imposed on
! American exporters.
One para graph of the circular read:
Reports in the daily press indicate
that thar nd
porters encouraged and protected by
their government are already entering
the Russian markets and are not
handicapped by such restrictions as
| seem to be imposed on American eX-
porters."
Chairman Moses read a letter re-
| ceived from the Packard Motor Car
company, denying it had sought trade
| with soviet Russia. Martens had filed
the name of this firm as one that had
expressed willingness to sell to the
| soviets. The Westinghouse Electric
company likewise denied it attempted
| to make contracts with Martens.
Tells Soviet Ideals.
| Martens described the soviet ideas
| of naturalization and the appropria-
ton of land and property without
compensation. Counsel for Martens
| made an effort to block questions re-
garding Martens's political views but
Martens declined to approve or dis
| approve statements by the editor of
Pravda. official organ. who urged
violent revolution to accomplish the
| overthrow of capitalism.
| Ellis asked where the soviet gold
came from that is proposed to be used
| in purchase of Americas goods.
| From the Russian people" Mar
tens replied.
| How have they been compensat-
| ?" Ellis asked.
| 'It is still theirs" Martens an
sWered. All shareholders received
compensation when the banks were
nationaiized, he explained.
| Denies Confiscation.
Ellis read from soviet proclamations
announcing naturalization of live
stock and other property.
J You are proposing to send over
! hides that were appropriated from the
Russian people?" Ellis suggested.
They were appropriated by $780,
| 100000 people and when the people
want to do that you can't stop them.
| answered Martens.
| The Russian soviet government con-
fiscated all property without compen-
sation because it belonged to the peo-
| pie and had been unrightfully taken
| from them in days of serfdom, Mar
terms said
| Ellis read from the constitution Of
the communist party advocating vic
tory for socialism thruout the world
And that includes the United
States?" he was asked.
course Martens