The Washington times., 1938-03-09

Iother to brand themSelvs with
: guilt.
The morning session ended with
Prosecutor Andrei Y. Vishinsky
questioning A. P. Rosengoltz, one
of the 81 defendants, about a
strange "talisman" found in his
pocket when he was arrested.
DOCTORS HEARD
Two Soviet physicians, once
among the most eminent In the
nation, admitted completely today
in the medical murders" Of
Maxim Gorky. famous Russian
writer, and other victims, but
blamed their plight on former
Secret Police Chief Henry G..
Yagoda.
/ First to testify was Dr.. D.
ID. Pletniov. famous heart spe-
cialist, who continued the fan
tastic story of slow poison and
"undermining of health" detailed
yesterday by L. G. Levin, former
chief of the Kremlin Hospital.
Pletniov, one of 81 defendants
lin the macabre treason trial,
spoke glumly in a flat voice as he
offered his defense. He said:
II was merely a consultant
tin the medical murders. Le.
win and I worked out the treat
ment together"
Giving further details OF the
Staying of Gorky, Pletniov de-
clared:
There was no poison used.
But since Gorky was weak, ana
only one-third of his lungs were
functioning, we undermined his
health.
"Yagoda threatened me and
the safety of my family
Admitting he held anti4SoViet
views, Pletniov stated ne woulo
not have gone as far as criminal
activities but for Yogod as
threats" He added:
MY 40 years Of professional
work was without blemiSh."
SECOND WITNESS
He was followed on the stand
by DR.. 1. N. Ka1akov, whose long,
black sideburns gave him the melo-
dramatic appearance Of q stock
company villain.
Kazakov. noted endocrinologist,
admitted he was guilty OF the
drue.murder of Yagoda's prede-
cessor as OGPU chieftain, Vyache-
slav Menzhinsky. But, like Plet-
niov, he blamed Yagoda for his
plight.
Kazakov entered upon . com
plicated denunciation OF Yagoda,
in these words:
IF an attorney asked me, DO
you know Yagoda?' would say
Yes Z
But If he asked, DO you rec
ognize Yagoda2' I would say
NO I would say this because
Yagoda Is now meek and timid,
while previously he was q violent
ruffian.
HE shouted and threatened
I was first called to treat
Menzhinsky and noticed ter
rible choking smell in his room.
BREAD IN PAPER
It consisted Of a stale, crumbling
piece of bread wrapped in a ragged
piece Of paper, on which was writ
ten:
MAY God be resurected and
his enemies smitten. Let his
enemies fall by the arrows Of his
loyal servants. May God be
praised"
With q sarcastic ring to his
voice, Vishinsky asked:
why were you carrying
that?"
my wife put it there" Rosen-
goltz replied.
And how long did you carry
it?"
About three months, I think"
"And just what" asked vi
shinsky with a rising infection,
was the idea of the stale
bread?"
II thought it would bring me
luck"
CROWD LAUGHS
The courtroom roared at the
discontinue Of Rosengoltz, former
Comr11issar of Foreign Trade.
Before Rosengoltz took the
stand. v. A. Maximov, formerly
secretary to Valeria Kuiheshev
J chief of Russia's first five-yeal
plan who was allegedly murdered
as part of the Trotskyist con
spiracy against the Stain regime
admitted full responsibility for hi!
D superior'S death.
s Il was the key man Of the plot
7 to kill Kuibeshev," he said. 1T
was Mainlyhi who brought
about his death. I purposely de-
: layed calling doctors when his
!, heart attacks occurred.
Il have no regrets for my ac-
e tion. I make no plea for mercy"
+ Kerensky AssGiIs
Purge as Excuse"
BOSTON, March Q Q.NSJ