The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-07-31

Buenos Aires.
 No" replied Father Pelypenko ito a private person"
 The priest was the governments chief witness thus far in the trial of Rev. Molzahn, Philadelphia Luth- erna minister accused of spying for Germany and Japan. . Father Pelypenko said he did not inform his church superiors in Rome about his FBI activities here when he asked for an extension of his va cation from his Argentine station The priest said he headed the Ukrainian Catholic colony in Ar gentina.
 The jury was dismissed for 10 minutes while counsel argued about the admission of credentials show ing Father Pelypenko to be Rom an Catholic priest.
 Papers Admitted
 The papers finally were admitted as evidence.
 Then Father Pelypenko, who spoke Russian through an FBl m- terpreter, left the stand.
 The counter espionage agent, who testified he was working not for money Gas much as an idea" was guarded day and night here by federal men, who sought to protect him from possible harm.
 Father Pelypenko came on the witness stand as the governments star witness in the trial of the Rev. Kurt E. B. Molzahn. Philadelphia Lutheran minister, who is charged with espionage in favor of Ger many and Japan. Four other de- fendants in the case including Ger hardt Welhelm Kunze, chief Of the German American bund, have pleaded guilty.
 The packed courtroom rocked with laughter once when Father Pelypenko, speaking Russian through an FBI interpreter, said Rev. Mol zahn once referred to Kunze sim ply as "a dunce."
 Rev. Molzahn was accused of us- ing the parish of Old Zion church at Philadelphia as return address for Kunze, and of assisting the bund leader in leaving the country With important United States military secrets.
 Kunze was picked up in Mexico and returned here.
 The priest, who said he came to America early in 194l and joined the FBI immediately, told an excit- ing story of international Intrigue that kept spectators on the edge of their seats.
 Headed Ukrainians
 Father PeTypenko said he headed the Ukrainian Catholic colony in Argentina and was asked to come to America by the United States embassy. Once arrived here, said he has not received any money from the FBI except his expenses.
 First, he met Dr. Otto Willumeit Chicago bund leader and a defend- ant who has pleaded guilty. pr. Willumeit was so nice to him, the priest said, he introduced him around to various other Germans and even gave him notes of recom- mendation.
 While this was going on. Father Pelypenko took down notes and made reports to the FBI--"but never in writing"
 q gave them in words" he said orally"
 Chief Defense Counsel James w Carpenter, who began cross-exam- inat!on of the witness late yester- day, wanted to know what intro duced Father Pelypenko to Dr. Will lumeit. The priest said a UkraiIl- ian friend. What was his name?" asked Carpenter.
 T am a Ukrainian and will not talk about other Ukrainians," sad the priest, emphatically
 Thomas J. Dodd, special assistant to the U. s. attorney general, said the Ukrainian in question was a government informant of the high est importance and asked that his name not be disclosed.
 Father Pelypenko told of two meetings he held with Rev. Mol zatn in his Philadelphia parish, and of how he was told methods to con- tact German embassy officials at Washington.