Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1920-02-20
MARTENS WOULD
LIKE FOR u. S. TO
ION BOLSHEVIKI

WASHINGTON, Feb. 19.-"I am
Bolshevist and would be very GLAD
to see America become Bolshevist."
Ludwig c. A. X Martens, soviet
representative to the United States,
told the senate foreign relations
subcommittee today.
Martens denied, however, that he
was working to overthrow the
United States government.
Martens protested against the
method of questioning used by
Wade H Ellis, counsel for the SEN
ate committee, who was reading eX-
cerpts from speeches made at rad
ical meetings attended by Martens
Il don't know why you are so
diligently quoting what others said
and never once read what l said"
Martens protested. why don't you
read some of my own speeches?"
Because I know you were very
careful not to advise anyone to
overthrow the government of the
United States" Ellis replied.
lis it any crime not to urge over
throw of the governments" Martens
retorted.
Were there any arrests made at
these meetings you attended," Sen
ator Borah asked.
Nc" Martens rCpl'Ad.
was anyone ever tried Or any
! thing said a these mecting.s?" Sen
atur korah coht;nIed
NO" Martens answered.
Asked 10 du';:!n the term radical"
M" els declared is u.,r / to ;a.
scribe anything you disagree with"
Freedom of E2oligZcn
Ludwig c. A. X. Martens. sovie;
representative IN the United States.
was again brought before the for
eign relations subcommittee. to be
cross-eXamined Wade II. Ellis.
counsel for the senate committee,
has learned by questioning Martens
that the soviet government has en-
gagged in propaganda against the
United States. Martens has also
| testified that he believes such prop
uganda should not be conducted
now Ellis is seeking to force the
admission from Martens that moi
! ther the soviet government nor any
other government would permit a
foreign representative within its
!
Complete freedom OF speech and of
the press is allowed in Soviet Russia
so long as violence is not advocated,
Martens told the senate committee
today.
Religion is not interferel with by
| the SoTiets, Martens continued, and
the clergy have now been given the
right to vote. The Soyiets have OPP
posed the ch Ircl in Russia, but not
religion, Martens insisted.
| Members Of the clergy in Soviet
Russia We're at first denied the bal
lot because they supported the auto
cratic regime but they are now per-
mitted to vote, Martens said.
"Is support of the Soviet govern
ment a requisite to the right to
vote?" Senator Moses asked. ....
Criticiszn OF govict
mo" Martens replied. "A man
can hold any political opinion so
long as he does not use treochory. :,
Can m~-o make speeches against
the Soviet government" Senator
Moses asked.
absolutely with complete free
DOM" Martens answered Props
ganda against the government is
permitted. Newspapers opposing the
government by lawful means aie
permitted" -
"The soviet government deter
mines whether opposition is lawful
or not?" MI Ellis asked.
yes" Martens answered.
Martens maintained the press is
| not censored.
Martens again denied that soviet
propaganda is now being conducted
against tho United States.
Revolutions are going on in
England. Italy and other countries
without the aid of soviet Russia y
Martens sold.
"Revotutions are deeply rooted in
economic and social conditions are
not brought about in the way usu-
ally supposed. Revolution doesn't
mean violence. 1t may come about
without violence and be very deep
and very thorough"
Denies Strike Efforts
| "Did1't the soviet government try
| to incite strikes and labor trouble
| in this country to force it to recog
niZe the soviet governments" Ser
ator Brandegee asked
mo. it never did anything of the
| kind" Martens replied.
Force if necessary is justifiable
when a minority resists revolution
| by the majority, Martens declared
Premier Lcnine has 30 per cent O.
The communist party against hin.
Martens said, and should this grow
| into a majority he would be over
| thrown at once.