New-York tribune., 1920-02-18
Socialist Leader Eulogizes
Wilson's ID Points
and Says Party Favors
Ideal League of Nations
Defends Soviet
Rule i'm Russia
Denies Lenine Trotzky
German Agents; Some
Wars Justified, He Says
From, a Staff Corresnond.ut


ALBANY, Feb. 17-Morris Hillquit,
characterized by Louis M. Martin,
chairman of the Assembly Judiciary
Committee, as the recognized leader of
the Socialist party in America, was the
first witness for the defense in the
trial of the five ousted Socialist As
semblymen.
Hillquit went on the stand shortly
after the trial was resumed, at 1O:30
O'Clock this morning. He still was
being examined by Seymour Stedman,
counsel for the unseated Assembly
men, when an adjournment was taken
late this evening
For hours the witness explained
theories and practices of socialism, its
genesis and growth in this and in Eu-
ropean countries, and defined it's catch
phrases. He rehearsed the attitude of
the differing factions of Socialists on
the war here and abroad.
Eulogizes Fourteen Points
For nearly an hour he talked eulo-
gistically on President Wilson's four
teen points and on the league of ma
tions, until he was cut short by Chair
man Martin, when a question by Ar
thur E. Sutherland, of counsel for the
prosecution, injected the Irish problem
into the trial.
Just before adjournment, after Hill
quit had discoursed at length on Soviet
Russia, Assenlblyman William S. Evans,
of the Bronx, asked the witness if he
was willing to answer a Hypothetical
question.
eyes, with pleasure" said Hillquit
Evans, reading from penciled notes,
then asked:
Assuming that the Soviet govern
ment of Russia started out by force of
arms to impose its form of government
upon the other nations, and particu-
larly upon the United States of Amer
lea; assuming that in carrying out
this purpose it committed an act of
war upon the United States; assum-
ing, further, that thereupon the United
States declared war upon the Soviet
government of Russia; assuming,
further. that at that particular time the
majority of the people Of the United
States we're in favor of retaining it's
present form of constitutional repub-
lican government-would you tell me
what position, in your opinion, the So
cialist party of America should take, or
would take, in reference to supporting
or opposing the war thus declared by
the United States?''
Would Fight, He Says
Hillquit, who wears a smile most of
the time folded his hands and looked
solemnly for almost a minute at the
high ceiling before making an answer.
Then, as though he were weighing
each word, he replied:
"Why | will say, Mr.. Evans, in the
first place, your hypothesis borders
upon the impossible. But with all that,
if you want an answer, assuming the
impossible, / should say that the So
cialists of the United States would
have no hesitancy whatever in joining
forces with the rest of their country
men to repcl the Bolsheviki, who would
try to invade our country and force a
form of government upon our people
which our people are not ready for, and
do not desire"
The witness had considerable fun at
the expense of Assemblyman Louis
Cuvillier, the Tammany member of
the committee, from the East Side of
Harlem. Chairman Martin attempted
to shut off Cuviller, who persisted in
cross examining the witness, but with
out success.
"Lenine and Trotzky were German
agents." Cuvillier fired at the wit
ness.
"The Socialists" said Hillquit, "do
not accept the view, expressed so often
in the press and by Mr.. Cuvllier here,
that Lenine and Trotzky were German
agents; that they came to Russia with
German money to create a revolution
for the purpose of weakening the Allied
forces"
"Lenine was in Germany before the
overthrow of the Cars government" !"
persisted Cuvillier.
"You happen to be wrong; he was in
Switzerland" retorted Hillquit.
"Then he met German emissaries
there" said Cuvillier.
81 am going to exclude that" said
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