New-York tribune., 1920-01-31
Martens Tells
Fate of Soviet
COuriers toU. S.
OF Those Starting, 3 Were
Killed i'll Finland, 9
Jailed in Germany and
Z Arrived in America
Refuses to Give Names
Contracts for S25,OOO,OOO
Cause Recognition Pleas
to President, He Saws

WASHINGTON, Jan. 3O.-How tn
couriers Of Soviet Russia, carrvin,
funds to finance its propaganda il
America. ran the gantlet of death an,
lmprl in the surrounding state
OF Europe was story begun but aban
doned hatfield today by Ludwig C. A
X. Martens, Soviet agent in the Unitet
States, before the Senate Foreign Re
lations subcommittee investigator,
Russian propaganda.
Martens fatty declined to answe,
further questions put him by the com
mittee OH the subject of the courier r!
and left 1T to consider whether his plcs
OF diplomatic immunity" from furthe,
examination should be allowed. He
went on to recount his personal activi
ties IN endeavorng TO get his govern.
ment recognized by the State Depart
ment, and in placing provisional con
tracts for $25,000000 worth of food
clothing and machinery with American
BUSINESS houses. This latter effort. he
SAID, had resulted in placing two OF
three letters before President Wilson
urging recognition, though the State
Department remained 1irm in It's re.
1usai to recognize him in any way.
Three Couriers Killed
Gut OF twenty of the mys terious mes
sengers who started during the las.
year from Moscow with funds and let
ters to hlm, Martens said. seven had
passed the barriers of armies and in
ternatlonal frontiers. Several had been
Shot summarily in Finland three that
l kno" about, Martens said casually.
VI ten VINO tried to get through Ger
many. nine were caught and Jailed. he
said ~
The first man to reach him. Martens
SAID, carried 200 and his creden-
Tails as Soviet ambassador to the
United States. The couriers carried
money IN the form of Finnish marks
or Scandinavian currency, he con-
tlnued. and mad several varieties of
passports. Here he pegan to evade.
though Senator Moses, Of New uamp,
shire, chairman of the committee. and
Senator Brandegee. OF Connecticut,
We're proddlnP him on with questions
as to messengers routes and methods
OF travel and DISCUSSES.
i decline to answer he said finally
when asked to name ore of the cour-
iers, and repeated his words quietly
when the topic WAS pushed further. He.
100, had sent couriers, he admitted
but of their fortunes had not been
ADVISED. Altogether, s1500OO had
come to HIM through the underground
route, and also an instruction, so he
SAID, not to spend any of the money
factions or parties in the United
States
Contracts With New York Firms
A list Of contracts for goods entered
into by Martens was submitted to the
committee wiz the explanation that
the !irms named had agreed to furnish
the goods only upon condition that H.
cenSes 20 export the products TO Soviet
Russia could be obtained from the
state Department The largest contract
cited was for $500 900 work of print
ing presses to be furnished by the Lee
hiSh Machine Company, Of Lehigh-
ton, IA. Elias Berlon, New York, con-
trac ted, according to the list, to sell
$4,000 geo worth Of shoes; Fischnan &
Co., New York, $4,000, 600 worth of un-
derwear; Weinberg d Posner, New
! ok, $1,000 600 worth of machine tools,
md the babroF Company, Of Ailwau-
kce. Sl.4QOn00 IN sh0cs and machines.
Morris Co. Chicago packers. on
Jannaiy -. executed "A agreement to
furnish 3O-oO0,OoO pounds Of food
rodAets at prevailing market prices.
@ccoldlng 10 the statement One con-
tract Tor Sl0,00OO0O, given the National
Storagc Company. Of New York. cover-
lng "merchanaise,' had been abrogated.
y was said
Only $4,000 had been paid on The
contracts. Martens said. and mono Of
the goods had been shipped
you depended on the relations open-
ed with American business concerns
TO he ? you get recognition 2" Chair
inan Moses asked.
Tells of Two Appeals to Wilson
"Ies, Martens replied lie added
That ne knew OF many letters and rep
1escntations made by Americans friend
~ TO the Soviet government to Amer
4can oli.c.als aad srohc particularly
OF "at least two which went TO Presi-
dent " !lson IRON individuals who, he
inumated, would likely obtain a ear
ing
This was Mastcnss second apnoar-
ance before the committee, and his ex-
ANIMATION viii be resumed at the next
session, which will be called by Chair
man Moses after Wade II. ElNs. attor-
ney employed to conduct the investi-
cation, has recovered from his illness.
At the outset Of the hearing TO-DAY
former Senator Harlwick Of Georgia,
counscl for he 'ambassador." told the
committee Martens would preson. trnc
copies OF al communications between
hlmse.f and TIE Soviet government. but
that 't was desired that some of the
letters tc considered in executive sos-
SION ~s Il might involve the safety Of
persons Who have kept open the ines
- eoi''-i'i7 7atior between Martens and
MS geverrmert.
besore Tie committee continues tho
inquiry !, WI decide whether 20 gramt
'N" Request for an executive srssion
ana a-so whether it VIII require Mar
tens 70 give The names Of the courjers
Sarry'"g communications between him
sell and his government.