Evening star., 1944-06-08
Bundists Threatened
Life, GissibI Testifies
Al Sedition Trial
BY CARTER BROOKE JONES.

Peter Gissibl, former Chicago
leader of the German American
Bund, testified today on cross-ex-
animation at the mass sedition trial
in District Court that death threats
and scurrilous charges followed him
when he withdrew from the organ
ization and began describing its ac-
tiyities before House committee
and In various Federal courts.
He said bundists accused him of
being paid by the jews and Chi
cago members threatened TO "blow
his brains out" when he appeared
before the Dies Committee.
Questioned by p. Bateman Ennis,
attorney for Gerhard wilhelm
Kunze. former national leader of the
bund, defendant, Gissibl admitted
writing Kunze. but denied it was to
seek reinstatement in the organiza-
tion.
Tried to Clear Name.
Il was accused of being paid by
the Jews" said the witness, and ]
was trying to clear my name"
When the witness could not re-
member details of German news
papers he had identified for the
Government or be positive he had
read these particular copies, some
eight years old, Mr.. Ennis moved
to have these documents Withdrawn
from evidence. Chief Justice Ed
ward c. Eicher refused.
Asked by another defense attor-
ney, William A. Gallagher, If the
bund's propaganda was aimed to
incite mutiny in the armed forces,
the witness replied:
Our propaganda was not speci-
fed for the armed forces. Our
philosophy Of life was for every
body"
Gissibl denied the testimony he
gave before the Dies Committee in
1888 was different from his recital
at this trial.
Denies Knowing Of Fake Documents.
The witness denied knowledge Of
any fake DOCUMENTS" placed before
the Dicksteih Committee, q prede-
cessor of the Dies Committee in the
House. Photostats Of some Dick
stein Committee exhibits are in evi-
dence at this trial.
Don't you know" Mr.. Dilling de-
manded, that there were no origi-
mails Of lot of the Dickstein ex-
hibits, some of which you have.
identified here?"
mo, I do know of some originals.
I have seen them"
Earlier in his day-and-a- half
cross-examination, Gissibl said he
was threatened with death by fell
low bundists when he returned to
Chicago after testifying before the
Dies Committee. He was in such
fear Of his life, he testified, that
he moved to Waukegan, ILL.,, under
an assumed name and opened a
tailor shop.
H. Victor Broenstrupp, one of the
20 defendants, Is seriously Ill and
has only $3.50" chance to recover,
his attorney, Ira Chase Koehne, told
Justice Eicher in chambers today.
Broenstrupp Faces Operation.
Broenstrupp was excused by the
court several days ago for an ex-
animation of a swelling on his neck.
Mr.. Koehne said the defendant was
examined at the Mount Alto Vet
Grams Hospital and was being sent
to another veterans hospital for an
operation.
The matter of Broenstrupp's
probable prolonged absence was
held in allegiance until q further
medical report is received. The de-
fendant formerly practiced law in
New York and Ohio and at one
time was attorney for William Dud-
ley Pelley, former leader of the
Silver Shirts and defendant at
the present trial.
At the outset of the long trial
there were 80 defendants. One
Elmer j. Garner, 80, died here
a aftar the trial herap