Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-19
TROTSKY REFUGE
IN GERMANY ASKED
Deposed Soviet War Chief
Seeking to Establish Home
Near Berlin.

~ the Associated Press.
BERLIN February i9.-The question
whether Leon Trotsky, deposed Soviet
war chief, might spend his days of exile
from Russia in Germany was squarely
before the German cabinet today.
Paul Loebe, president of the Reichs-
tag, yesterday received this message
from Pera. suburb of Constantinople:
Referring your memorial speech in
Reichstag on February 2, request Ger
man consulate here to give permission
in question. LEON TROTSKY."
The reference was to a speech of
President Loebe's in which he said,
after an interruption by Communists:
we were first to give you and others
full civic rights. Perhaps some day
We shall grant free asylum here in Ger
many to Mr.. Trotsky."
Favorable Action Asked.
Herr Loebe sent the message to the
cabinet with a recommendation for IA
vorable action. Later 1T was understood
the cabinet would take no action until 1t
had received report from the German
consulate at Constantinople. Such re-
port might establish authenticity of the
message and might be, accompanied by
certain official documents, necessary in
such matters, which thus far have not
heen received here.
& Granted authenticity of the message
the German government is put to yes
or no in a matter which reports say it
has evaded answering directly hereto
fore
1 Even before the arrival of Trotsky in
Eonstantinople it was sad the govern
nnent had been approached unofficially,
as to whether a visa might be obtained
Tor Trotsky to enter Germany, possibly
10 reside in suburb of Berlin where he
was represented as wishing to write his
memoirs.
Reasons Opposing Entry.
There are various reasons why
Trotsky might not be welcome in Ger
many. Presence of large number of
rwhite" Russian exiles who might FIND
opportunity for assassination, or some
other sort of reprisal toward a man
they hold partly responsible for their
situation, Discrimination to foster OK
treme Communism with his presence,
and fear of complicating delicate re-
lationship with Soviet Russia are among
these.
Reports at the time had it that the
cabinet let it be known unoficially to
those who approached it that the VIA
might be refused. The cabinet made
denial that official action had been
taken. but at the time there was cessa-
ton Of reports that Trotsky would spend
his exile in Germany.
More or less as coincidence the adj
mission OF Trotsky, who is understood
here to be held a prisoner, seriously
Ill, In the Russian consulate in the Pera
quarter Of Constantinople, came up al
yesterdays session of the Reichstag.
hi Amendment Submitted.
Communists submitted an amend
ynen6 to a proposed bill on extradition
which would make action against the
authority of the Soviet state not
political offense and hence extraditabls.
Socialists Immediately pointed out
that ii Trotsky found shelter here Rus
STA might be able to extradite him il
desired, Erich Koch, minister OF JUS
tee. declared that the German govern
1alent would not be party to such a
cne-Sided attitude as the amendment.
Moscow dispatches yesterday related
first official announcement of Trotskys
exile. The announcement did not state
where the former head of the Red Army
had gone, merely saying that by de-
cision of the state political department
he had been exiled from the Soviet
Union for his anti-Soviet activities and
that in accordance with his wishes his
family had gone with him