Evening star., 1949-06-19
; Ex-Romanian Aides
Say Legation Here Is.
Front for Communists
~ tie Associated Press


Three former members Of Ro-
manias diplomatic staff testified
yesterday that the legation here
has been used by Communists to
spread propaganda and direct the
activities of leftist groups in ais
country.
They specifically accused + ~
Fainaru, managing editor the
Romanul American, Detroit 3o-
manian Language newspapet' Of
receiving money from legation +
ficials.
Mr.. Fainaru, who appeared be-
fore a Senate Judiciary Subcom-
mittee under subpoena. denied the
charge, but admitted that he is
a member of the Communist
party. He blasted the inquiry as
a threat to the freedom of the
press.
The subcommittee. investigat-
ing subversive aliens in this coun-
try, heard MIR. Fainaru accused
by Fanfil Riposanu, former first
counselor Of the Romanian Lega-
tion:, Mircea Metes, former First
Secretary, and Alfons Vogel, for
mer press counselor.
Called Agent of Ana Pauker.
The three also appeared in re-
sponse to subpoenas. They were
in the legation during the general
period of 1946 to 1948.
MFR. Riposanu identified Alex
ander Lazareanu as the man who
had directed the propaganda
work among Romanian-Ameri-
cans from the legation.
He said Lazareanu came to
the legation as cultural attache'
and was the "agent of the Com
munist Party and the Romanian
: secret police" and the direct
agent of Ana Pauker, Romanian
foreign minister.
Lazareanu was one Of two Ro-
manian diplomats recalled last
December at the request of the
United States Government. The
United States demanded their
custer after Romania did the same
to two American diplomats in
Romania.
Identifies Propaganda Agency.
"Lazareanu was in contact
with and under the direction Of
the Soviet secret police (NKVD) ]"
Mr.. Riposanu testified. HE was
always in contact with the Rus
sian Embassy in Washington. He
used to travel many times to De-
troit, Cleveland, Chicago and
other places where there are many
Americans of Romanian descent" /"
He said the "chief propaganda
agency"sthrough which Romanian
Communist officials worked in
this country is the Romanul-
American.
Mr.. Riposanu told the commit
tee that in 1916 when he was
charge d'affaires of the. legation,
Lazareanu requested him to give
Mr.. Fadnaru $500. He said he
refused to pay 1t, but was told
that the Romanian minister had
been, regularly paying Fainaru
$500 a month"
Mr.. Fainaru told the committee
he knew Mr.. Ralea, the minister,
but denied in answer to a question
that he ever received money from
him. except perhaps for a sub
scription."
Admits Failure to Register.
Mr.. Metes later testified that he
had knowledge" that Mr.. Fainaru
received money from Mr.. Ralea
because he (Metes) has been book
keeper and cashier at the legation.
He said he had noticed one check
for 5000 made out to Mr.. Fainaru.
Mr.. Vogel generally corrobo-
rated the testimony of Mr.. Metes
and MIR. Riposanu.
Richard Arens, a subcommittee
staff member, asked Mr.. Fainaru
if either he or his paper had reg
istered under the Foreign Agents
Registration Act. Mr.. Fainaru re-
piled in the negative, saying he is
an American and the paper is an
American newspaper"
The subcommittee is headed by
Senator McCarran, Democrat. of
Nevada, who later told reporters
without celebrating:
II think someone tripped his
trollev a little hit tnfavn