The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1939-05-23
SAYS We MUST
STAGE REVOLT
Hearing On Fantastic
Plot Is Opened By
House Committee

NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. p.
Gilbert, New York socialite
today told the Dies committee
investigating un- A m eri C a n
activities that the American
people will have to rise under
some American officer of the
Franco type" if a red revolu-
ton" is to be averted.
Gilbert was the initial witness
at the committees first open hear
ing into the circulation OF allegedly
anti-Semetic propaganda. to head
off a purported '1eftist uprising"
Gilbert was questioned about
his activities in helping circulate
warnings of the supposedly revo-
lutionary threat among a selected
list Of about 40 persons, mostly
veterans leaders.
Asked about a reference to u.s.
ing the Spanish method" to head
off the revolution" Gilbert ex-
planned:
~ figured that very shortly
IN this country we would face
. civil war from the left, and
1 thought the American people
would have TO arise under
some American officer Of the
Franco type, otherwise we'd
have . red republic"
The Spanish method" reference
was made in a letter written last
Feb. 9 to James Erwin Campbell.
who circulated information Gill
bert obtained. Gilbert denied he
had in mind the creation of a
military dictatorship in this coun-
try.
did you mean your group
would have 10 start = revolu-
ton ?" asked Committee Coun-
sel Rhea whitney.
mo SIR" said Gilbert.
That's what happened in
Spain, wasn't IT,"
NO sir" Gilbert said. "You
haven't read your history"
GIbert's letters indicated hope
that . nationalist state might
be established, with the stars and
stripes flying over all the terri
tory from the Panama canal to
the Arctic circle"
II believe some day that will
happen" he said, when his letter
was read to him. Il think many
army officers agree with us"
He said large bloc Of Amer
lean people" would have to get
together and fight to put some
backbone In the present govern
ment, 30 we won't have some other
form Of government"
He denied. In response "a \
question, that he was opposed
to the present form Of gov
eminent.
Before the hearing opened, Gil
bert said the committee had sum-
moned him to try to Identify a
supposed employe of the Harmonic
club. New York, who he said gave
him information about the sup
posed leftist plot.
Prior to the summoning Of Gill
bert. the committee had subpensed
four persons to tell in public what
they knew about an alleged anti
Semitic campaign, designed by its
sponsors to prevent the alleged
leftist revolutionary plot. The
four were;
George Dcatherage, chief of the
knights Of the White Csmelliss
MAJ. Gen. George Van Horn Nose
ley. retired commander of the
fourth corps area at Atlanta
Chairman John d. NJ. Hamilton
of the Republican national conn.,
mittee. and Felix Mcwhirter. Ind
annapolis banker,
Moseley. who Is en- route from
California. will not testify until
later in the week. He telegrsphed
the committee he would be here as
soon as possible. Moseley was
proposed by Deatherage a. the
leader Of a military force. which
was to fight what Deatherags
termed the Americana avis
war"
Major witnesses at the privst,
hearings last week was James
Erwin Campbell. retired captain
of army engineers. He produced
letters from Deathersge, which
referred to Moseley as the boss.