Evening star., 1920-01-26
MARTENS CLAIMS
MAJORITY BACKS
RUSSIAN SOVIETS
Continued from First Page. }

yers ! came to the conclusion that it
courts" Mr.. Martens said "since the
, state Department was continuing to
| recognize Bakhmeteff as the ambas-
sador of Russia"
Therefore, Mr.. Martens said, he set
up his own offices in New York
When Senator Moses asked how big
an organization he had he produced a
list of some thirty-five names of men
and women now employed by the
soviet bureau. Most, of them were
ris Hillquit of New York was named
as director OF legal department"
Senator Borah asked him about
finances. and Mr.. Martens said he re-
/ celVeo FUNDS to support the establish
, ment from Russia.
How much is your paw roll a
| month";" Senator Moses asked
About $1,000 week." Mr. Martens
replied our expenses run about $4,000
a week."
ANY of that raised in the United
States?" Senator Borah put in.
None. Mr.. Martens answered.
How do you get the money!" Sena-
| tor Moses asked.
by courier" was the answer. 'In
paper. Finnish or Swedish. No gold "
Senator Moses asked If he had ever
claimed diplomatic immunity from
! American legal proceedings of any
/ kind. and the matter Of the Lusk in
vestigating committee of the New
York legislature was raised.
Mr.. Martens said he had refused to
furnish papers to it.
| "They wanted him to furnish some
| code dispatches from his govern
ment." Attorney Hardwick said. land
he did not feel that he should do
that"
| Does he intend to take that posi-
! ton here?" Chairman Moses inquired
We'll submit that to the Judgment
! of the committee" Mr.. Hardwick re-
| piled.
Have VAST sum in Treasury.
, The Russian soviets have between
$3.50. 900, 900 and 100000, 900" in the
public treasury. MIR. Martens said,
which it was now desired to spend in
foreign countries on the purchase of
necessities. There was now no gold in
] the hands Of private banks or individ-
uals in Russia, he added.
| Martens Reads Statement.
! Chairman Moses renewed the exam
| ination as to Martens attempts to open
| communication with the State Depart
ment and the soviet agent began to
read a statement.
| Mr.. Martens statement as to the
policy of the Russian soviets followed
the request of the committee that the
originals of his instructions be pre-
| sented. Previously, Mr.. Hardwick, Mr..
, Martens counsel. had explained that
Martens had refused to present the code
used for communicating with his govern
ment before the Lusk legislative COM
| mittee in New York.
I'D like to have a little time to see
what instructions / have" Mr.. Mar
| tens said. I'D like to furnish the COM
m1utee everything it requests"
| The code was the only thing the
soviet agent wanted to protect, Mr..
Hardwick declared
These instructions from my govern
ment have at all times guided my
policy and conduct" he said, reading
| from prepared statement I'm ali
my activities I have scrupulously re-
| trained from any Interference or par
ticipation in the domestic affairs of
the United States"
My government specifically in
struct me that the funds at nv dis
posaf should not be used for any pur-
poses involving Interference in the
internal affairs Of the United States"
Senator Borah. republican. Idaho.
| declared that 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
Brandegee. republican. Connecticut.
1T Is very grave question as to
how far we can go In disclosing the
correspondence In code between Mr..
Martens and his government" Mr..
Hardwick said.
''Have you ever carried on proua-
ganda in this country with a view
to getting soviet government estab-
ltshed in this country" Senator
rBorah asked.
Never" Mr.. Martens answered, IT
have carried on a propaganda in this
| country to get the soviet govern.
ment recognized. that is ALL"