New-York tribune., 1922-12-26
Defense Society
Opens Fight on
Moscow Artists
Charges Russian Players
Tour i'm America Will
Put Gold in the Golfers
of Soviet Government
Sees Radical Propaganda
Cest, Who Arranged Engage
ment, Denies Communist
Regime Will Profit
From The Trioune,s Washlaoioa Baveaa

From The TribuHe's Woshla0toH BEyeaa
WASHINGTON, Dec. 25.--The COM
ing visit Of the Moscow Art Theater
Company to the United States probably
viii be Of exceptional interest TO many
Americans and foreigners resident in
this country and will also add a large
amount Of cash 70 the Golfers Of the
Communist government OF Russih, ae-
eording 10 statement by the Wash
ington Bureau Of the American Defense
Society to-day.
III the American Legion takes the
action toward this theatrical tour that
Il recently took In the ease Of Nine.
Gadsh it may seriously interfere with
expected returns 20 the Russian gov
ernment," says the American Defense
Society statement.
1T should always be borne IN mind
By loyal American citizens that the
present regime in Moscow is part Of
the Third Internationale, which Is
working in every way to bring about
the overthrow by force and violence Of
the United States government, among
others, and the establishment Of the
dictatorship Of the proletariat through
out the world.
Foreign Contracts Cited
an connection with the coming visit
OF the Russian theatrical company Il
is interesting TO note that no artists
are permitted 10 leave Russia land
this includes singers, dancers and the
atrical persons and companies) with
out first signing contract providing
- - II eLfWI 81 Nhatr -.
ceipts 20 tho Soviet government at
! Moscow"
r. NJ. whitney, head Of the Wash
ington Office OF the National Defense
| Society, quotes three conditions OF
contract, as follows;
/ 81 The artists agree not 10 conduct
propaganda while in the United States
against the regime. Special preference
is shown those who agree TO conduct
/ propaganda for the Soviets.
"2. They agree 10 deduct, for the
benefit Of the state, 33 per cent OF
their earnings while in this country.
"3. They agree 20 return 20 Russia
at the expiration Of their leave.
According 10 the eabled report Of
the coming visit OF the Moscow Art
Theater Company there Is strict pro-
vision that every member OF the party
be back In Russia before the end o
next June.
When informed last night Of the
reason for the American Defense So
eiety's opposition 10 the opening Of
the Moscow Art Theater here, Morris
/ Gest, who made the arrangements for
/ the visit, entered an indignant denial.
"Tho Russian government" he said.
does not get one cent OF the proceeds
OF ,hoiI appearance and on the truth
Of that I'll stake my head.
"The members Of this company arc
coming as clean as little children, with
no concern for politics and wholly en-
crossed in their art.
"It has been the ambition Of my life
TO bring them here. And now that they
are coming you can say that the Amer
/ lean Defense Society is not going 10
prevent them playing their opening
performance on January 3. Art should
know no national or international
boundary lines. and 80 far as ! am con-
cerned II does not"
Elon II. Hooker, chairman Of the
board Of directors OF the American
Defense Society, appeared quite famil-
lar with the charge made BY the Wash
/ ington bureau when he was asked for
/ his oDinion lest right.
II believe the Washington bureau Is
amply prepared TO back up It's charges
with proofs" he said, "and II Il Is So
as / believe II is-then the policy Of
opposition is part Of the American De-
/ tense Society'a task.
"We are against any proposition
which takes good American dollars and
sends them to Russia, where they will
come back 10 US IN the form Of pamph-
lets and propaganda TO undermine our
workmen, make Communists out OF
them, and bring about the overthrow
OF our government BY force"
Involves Isadora Duncan
az believe that the same arrange
mcnt for payment Of one-third Of the
profits 10 the state exists with lsadora
I Duncan"
Mr. Gest had been commended for
bringing the players here and q com.
mittee Of patrons was formed beaded
By Otto =. Kahn.