New-York tribune., 1922-12-19
Soviet Regime
Near Breakup.
Thompson Says
Despite Denial, Ex-Financial
Adviser of Russo-Ameri-
can Group Thought U. 5.
Investors Money Lost
Words in Berlin Recalled
Reputation of Interview,
After Reading and APP
proving, Rcfuted in Berlin
By Joseph ShAplen
es,esai Gable 10 The Trfbuns

Copyright iSs2. New YORK Tribune Inc.
BERLIN, Dee. iS.-The Soviet regime
Is 80 reeking with corruption that
money invested by foreigners In
Soviet Russia Is likely 70 be stolen BY
the Bolshoviki," is the belief William
o. Thompson expressed 10 me here In
the presence OF another American
correspondent when Thompson recent
~ announced his resignation as imam
cial adviser OF the Russian-Ameriean
Industrial Corporation.
American investors In Russia run q
good chance Of losing their money for
this reason alone, Thompson indicated.
Moreover, he added. the Soviet govern
ment Is not likely to last very much
longer. as no regime so corrupt and In
different could be permanent.
Thompson said while that Is his oe-
lief, he would not want 20 be quoted 10
that effect. and confined himself 70
saying that money invested In Russia
would be wasted b. inefieieney and
thousand other difficulties.
Thompson Violates Own Confidence
Ny colleague and / respected ThomP-
sons wish, and made no use OF bis
stronger references. | now consider
myself no longer bound TO respect
his confidence, In View Of the state.
ment he sent 10 Sidney Hillman, and
which the latter read at a public meet
ing at Carnegie Hall on December i, In
which Thompson accuses the CORE.
spondents, The Tribune's included, OF
misreprcsentinR him, and says; The
bitterness Of The Tribune interview
was wholly product Of the reporters
Imagination" =,
Thompson's statement was received
here yesterday.
His belief in the insecurity OF money
invested In Russia is not apparently
disregarded by Hillman himself, who
several days prior 20 the Thompson
interview told me he did not intend
20 permit the Communists 10 handle
his money transfers from America In
Russia and would place reliable Amei-
cans or others in charge.
Thompson's reference 10 the danger
OF the theft OF money, as we'll NJ his
general remarks, were made with bit
ter irony and profound contempt for
the entire Bolshevist regime and It's
business methods, exceeding any BIT
tsrness which he charges il erroneously
reflected in The Tribune interview. He
gave expression 20 similar strong views
In subsequent conversations with other
American correspondents here, who are
ready 10 confirm this statement. so
much for his charge Of being misrepre-
sented by the hostile press"
Thompson Sought Correspondents
II also may be added the American
correspondents here did not seek
Thompson. but came % him in response
70 his own invitation. which he issued
10 the hostile press" in order 70 an
nounce his resignation as financial ad-
viser and give his reasons therefor. SO
far as the bitterness" Of The Tribune
interview being wholly a product OF
the reporters Imagination" Thompson
came 70 my Office Saturday, November
25. requesting 10 sec q carbon copy OF
my story. He read il In the presence
Of my secretary and fully approved It.
THAT story is all right" he said,
smiling and satisfied. Az evidence Of his
satisfaction he accepted my invitation
70 dinner the next day, with the
promise 10 repeat his story 70 a cer'
tain world.famous German Socialist,
whose acquaintance Hillman himself
previously made here through me-.
Thompson's attempt 20 fnisrepresent
The Tribune and other American cor
respondents in Berlin was to-day con
demned by them as ineXcuSable. His
| effort TO cast discredit upon them Ia due
not 10 their alleged misrepresentation
Of his views but 70 the factional
polities OF those New York trade unions
/ and circles directly involved in this
clothing enterprise, where sharp diyi
sions exist on the feasibility and ad'
/ visibility Of Hillman's undertaking.
On publication Of the Tribune inter
view, Thompson was given 10 under