The Llano colonist. [volume] (Llano, Calif.) 191?-1937, 1922-10-21
MENDACE0US PREVARICATORS


J New York. - For long time there
have been circulated stories about
Capt Paxton FIibben, formerly of the
| American Red Cross and now CT the
American Relief Committee for Rus
islam Children and the Russian Red
Gross, the purpose of which was to dis
credit both the standing and the work
of this man who for years has devoted
his tireless energy end his unusual abl-
tiles to the work Of relieving the starv-
ing in Russia.
These attacks-covert and coward
y-were. redoubled when FIibben last
spring charged, and backed up his
charges with facts that Secretary Hoo
yer, as head of the American Relief
administration. had interfercd with the
collection Of funds for famine-stricken
Russia. Now the attacks have become
holder, and have been appearing In a
series Of syndicated newspaper articles.
These publications have given FEbben
the first opportunity to meet the at
tacks, and he has announced that he
will bring suit for libel against their
authors.
Eiibben. who has lust returned from
detailed investigation of conditions
in Russia, hes given The Federated
Press the following statements:
The statements appearing in q syn
dicaled article IN various newspapers
entitled The Reds IN America and pur-
porting to be written by one r. M.
Whitney, alleging that | am working
openly for the soviet government that
| am or ever have been a red, an
raising Or ever have attempted to raise
money for the support Of the soviet
government of Russia, the Russian an
my, or for any other purpose whatso-
ever except for purely humanitarian
relief work, as well as the bulk Of the
remainder Of the article in question,
are absolutely false.
THAT | was ever a paid propagan-
dist for the Greek royahsts, for exam
pie, Is absolutely false. 1t is charac-
teristic Of the whole article that it states
that | copied confidential papers and
documents while employed in the CON
suIate in Brazil, and had to assume a
careful DISGUISE IN escaping from the
country. | was never in Brazil in my
life, never employed in a consulate in
my life. and never assumed a disguise
to do anything whatsoever.
Il have just returned from an in
spec6on of the work Of the Russian
Red Cross in Russia, and | am convinc-
ed that no relief work in Russia is bet
ter or more economically conducted
with less overhead or more effective
results in rehabilitating people in des-
perate need. | have seen, and | have
Photographs, of the supplies sent by
the American Commute for the Relief
of Russian Children being distributed
to starving children and not to the red
army, or to anybody else. On the con-
trary, the red army, with a greater
spirit Of humanity than those who are
ready to open a campaign Of vilifica-
ton whose result cannot fail to be the
starvation of thousands of helpless chill
dren. has itself been one of the prin-
cipal givers to the relief funds which
saved millions Of Russian children.
Il am exceedingly glad, however,
that this has come out. 1t has been
whispered about for SO long that it IS
we'll to have it in the open where it
may be openly met. | shall of course
bring suit for libel against the authors
of this mischievous attack on pure
ly humanitarian work"
Arr4rS A