The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1920-01-27
SAYS SOVIET Able.
TO FIGHT WORLD
MVrtenS Claims Russia Quit
FOmentIng Universal Revolt.
DENIES PROPAGANDA WORK
BoIshevik Agent Declares They Wish
to Purchase Necessaries in Foreign
Countries-No Gold in Private
Hands in Russia.

Countries-No Gold in Private
Hands in Russia.
Washington, JaiS 27.-Russian So
Wet organizations have become strong
enough 10 fight the world"
Ludwig c. \. X Martens, Soviet
agent to the United States, so inform
ed a senate investigating committee.
Because of this, he said the Soviets
have ceased to urge International re-
voIution TO support them.
The Soviets have "S45O,OO0,OOO to
S5OOOO0.OOO" in the public treasury,
Martens said, and it is desired TO
spend this in foreign countries for the
purchase Of necessities.
There is no gold in the hands of pri-
vate banks or individuals in Russia,
he added
Martens statement as to the policy
of the Soviets followed the request Of
the committee the originals of his in
structiOns be presented.
Previously Martens counsel, former
Senator Hardwick, Georgia, explained
Martens refused to present the code
used for communicating with his gov
eminent to the Lusk legislative COM
mfttee in New York.
The code was the only anything the
70
wick asserted.
"These instructions from my gov
eminent have at all times guided my
policy and conduct he said, reading
from a prepared statement. 'In all
NV activities [ have ScrupulOuSly re-
Trained from any Interference or par
ticipation in the domestic affairs of
the United States.
MY government specifically in
structed me the funds at my disposal
should not be used for any purposes
involving interference in the internal
affairs of the United States"
Senator Borah, Republican, Idaho,
said the committee would want to
have The original instructions from the
Soviet government to him.
That's his inference only from the
instructions" remarked Senator Bran
degee, Republican, Connecticut.
1T is a very grave question as to
how far we can go in disclosing the
correspondence in code between Mar
tens and his government" Hardwick
said.
Have you ever carried on propa-
ganda in this country with view to
getting Soviet government establish
ed in this country?" Senator Borah
asked.
Never" Martens answered. 81
have carried on a proganda in this
country to get the Soviet government
recognized. That is ALL"
isn't it one of the tenets of your
creed Soviet governments should be
established everywhere" Senator
Borah continued.
mo, we don't care what kind Of a
government other peoples have" Mar
tens replied.
isn't it a fact the Russian Soviet
Federation has q cardinal purpose of
instituting a worldwide revolution
among other peoples?" Senator Borah
demanded.
"There was a time when Russians
believed II was necessary to sustain
their own Soviets," Martens said.
"Now conditions have made it unnec-
essary. Russian Soviets are firmly es-
tablished and have grown strong
enough to sustain themselves.
"Just recently the change was
shown by a letter from Premier Len
ipe to the italian Socialists, advising
them against revolution"
"You mean to say the cardinal ten
ct we have been told about, requiring
every Soviet supporter to preach and
agitate everywhere, for the establish
ment of Soviets everywhere, has been
abandoned?" Senator Borah pressed.
''It is not necessary now," Martens
said.
When he ceased answering questions
Martens said "a few thousand dollars
WI III VI UuUlS anu dulOuIODIIeS were
his only purchases in the United
States. He produced a list contain
ing, he asserted, 1000 names Of Amer
lean business houses with whom deal.
ings could be opened.
The witness said he regarded the
Soviet organization as the legitimate
successor to the former Russian gov
eminent, adding about $50 per cent of
the Russian people support the Sow.
cts.
ITO what extent do the people par
ticipate in the government" asked
Senator Borah.
Anybody doing work participates"
Martens said, Except those who live
off the efforts Of others, or were con.
nected with the old regime.
"Any useful activity is work. Sci.
entif1c research, inquiries, or writing,
all of that is considered work"
Graduates of Harvard, Columbia,
Barnard and other American colleges
were included in the personnel Of the
Russian Soviet bureau in the United
States, list of which Martens fled
with the committee