Suspects of the Soviet

Evening Star, Issue 19942, 11 August 1928, Page 11

Suspects of the Soviet

How Justice Works in Russia The Don Treason Plot Brother Betrays Brother

White with excitement, clutching their scats with rigid fingers, AUUU people in twentieth-century Moscow saw re-enacted tho world’s first tragedy. Before their eyes a modern ‘ Cain killed “ Abel.” Brother sent brother to the firing squad. It came at midnight as a stupendous climax to th. first act, or rather tho first week ot tho prodigious Shakhta trial, Walter Duranty tells us in tho New \ork ‘ Times.’ M. Krylenko, as State Attorney, is demanding tho conviction, with perhaps tho deadth penalty for sonic, ot half a hundred engineers, three of them Germans, of tho Don coal-mining region. These unhappy men are accused of a treasonable conspiracy, for purposes of sabotage, with the former owners of tho mines, who are now abroad. Tho wretched men, who, it would seem from Mr Du ratify’a despatches, have little chance- of escape from tho Soviet’s clutches, are making a gallant and desperate fight ter their lives. Developing his “ Cain and Abel ” theme in writing of two brothers, tho ‘ Times ’ correspondent introduces first his modern Russian “Abel.” All day long, ho writes; Tho prosecution had been battering a Ukrainian peasant, Audrey Kolodoob. Confrontations, depositions, and Prosecutor Krylenko’s questions were swung brutally, sudden as a club, or subtly and sharp as a rapier Ho met them all, more stubborn than granite. “It isn’t true. 1 never did it; 1 never said so; I never knew it,” ho said. He would not bond or break. Then M. Krylenko called Emilian Kolodoob, and Cain, tho fratricide, shambled forward to face the court. If M. Krylenko’s strange, nn-European profile is a facsimile of tho Scythian warriors pictured for posterity on golden cups wrought 500 years before Christ, Emilian Kolodoob tlirows right back to primaeval man, to the brute. Immense, shapeless, hulking, with thick negroid lips, _ a flat nose, and a great prognathous jowl, ho towered above his brother standing a hare yard to his right.

Strong men indeed are the masters that serve this infant republic of workers and peasants, but there was more and worse to come. Audrey Kolodoob was nailed to tho cross. Now for tho final spear thrust. Casually ono of tho subordinate judges asked about Audrey’s relations with his son, Kyril. “Not so bad,” said tho prisoner. “ Yes, he did leave homo a couple of years ago. “No, ho did not run away, he just left.

“ Yes, lie is a member of the League of Communist Youth, but ” The mau looked thoroughly bewildered. To enlighten him they read a letter which'''Kyril had sent to th» Pravda a few days ago: “I denounce my father as a wholehearted traitor and a too to the working class. I demand for him the severest penalty. I reject him and the- name ho bears. Henceforth I call myself not Kolodoob, hut Shakhtin.” ... Audrey Kolodoob stood absolutely motionless. Only bis throat muscles quivered as if trying to swallow. But ho neither broke nor bent. There was a frightful pause. Suddenly up jumped Audrey’s defender to ask that Kyril—now, it appeared, a student in Miscow—be called to deny or affirm his letter. The Moscow public has strong nerves. Believe mo, who has been supplied overdeep with horrors in the past fourteen years, strong nerves arc needed.for this trial. But that passed all limits. It knocked out even Krylenko, eager hunter of tho world’s biggest game. ( “In the name of humanity,” he cried (was it fancy or did his voice tremble?), “in the name of humanity I say this boy’s presence is not necessary ! In the . name of humanity, I suggest that it is enough to bring a certified original of tho letter from the Pravda office.” “Certainly,” said the presiding judge. Audrey Kolodoob stared at Krylenko, unwinking. But lio would not bend or break. One of the thrilling contrast scenes in which Soviet Russia is unrivalled was provided at tho opening of the trial by State Prosecutor Nikolai Krylenko in a superb presentation. “The protagonists,” writes Mr Durauty, “ were the old familiar figures, the industrious and tho idle apprentice.” We read on: All big trials bore have something theatrical to foreign eyes. Perhaps this is because the setting is so different, more like a “mock trial” in an American or English university ball than the formal solemnity of Western justice

But there is an atrocious reality in the long bayonets of the guards, in Krylenko’s trigger cage moss for tlio chase and m tho pallid fatalism of the fifty-two prisoners. Tho first of thefn to bo examined was an engineer named Borezowsky, Fifteen years ago his testimony might have served as a model for a self-help success story. For nearly an hour he stood motionless save for twisting his white hands as ho told of his life, his origin, training, manner of thought, and personal ways. Skilfully the prosecutor guided his puppet through its final role. As the tale proceeded ono realised the subtlety of Krylenko’s technique. Right here, at the outset was a perfect position of “ bourgeois capitalist mentality,” which Bolshevism has sworn to overthrow, and which, back of all tho rest, is the basic charge in this case.

The son of a runaway serf who reached Finland and married an ilhter-

IN THE TOILS

The trial developed “ like a _ wellwritten serial, with a subtle blending of diverse emotions into a harmonious whole.” From comedy wo pass into scenes of gripping international interest. One Antonoff’ began the comedy; it is explained as wo proceed: This tall, burly, good-looking man, with a confident manner, was an assistant mine inspector. Ho is accused of culpable negligence avid participation in the Don Basin mining sabotage conspiracy, but has pleaded innocence.

Prosecutor Nikolai Krylenko, attempting to prove the negligence charge,_ inquired concerning Antonoff’s relations with one Munsouroff, the manager of a small mine.

’‘You went to Ills house lor musical evenings and drank with him and his wife, and you were such good friends that he gave you presents,” said the prosecutor to the accused. “Not precisely,” responded the man, with an air of cunning. “You ate?” “Yea." “You drank?” ■ “Yes.” “You played music with tho.Cltizeness Munsouroff?”

Autonoff looked troubled, and the spectators began to giggle. Then he replied, “ Ye-ye-yes.” “ What did yon play-''

Once in a tense moment the hairy hands that hung down nearly to his knees clutched tho heavy mahogany pillar before him bearing the loud speaker, so that it swayed and almost fell. Easilv We could believe tho evidence of his brutality, of how [io beat and bullied workers, and Red or German soldiers, slaves toiling te enrich him. „ . . But there was keen intelligence in -ns deep-set eyes and a strong brain bemud his heavy brows of authority. His voice also was loud, clear, and booming. Ruined, trapped, sclf-convieted beyond despair, bo was utterly fearless, utterly assured. Gently.tho presiding judge put questions to the brothers. Vea. said Emilian. they had always been good friends. Yes, echoed Audrey. Yes, said Emilian, he was older than his brother and more successful. Acs, echoed Audrey. Yes, said Ermhan, lie had helped his brother in many wais. Yes, echoed Audrey. “You admit the guilt of counterrevolution, conspiracy, sabotage ( asked tho judge. “ Yes,” said Emilian. “ Bub vou maintain your innocence?” “Yes,” said Audrey. More softly still tho judge questioned Cain: “Your brother was a_ member of a conspirative organisation ?’ ’ “Yes, indeed,” tho voice boomed. “Never,” said Abel (irmly. “He knew your plans, attended your meetings, took your money?” “ Yes, indeed,” said Gam. “Never,” cried Abel “ According to tho instructions ot vour conspirative organisation.” came the pitiless climax, “your brother Audrey Kyrillovich Kolodoob wilfully damaged a. mine under his charge “Yes, indeed,” roared Cain, gripping the mahogany pillar. “Never,” answered Abel, turning away from tho judge so that his full face was toward M. Krylenko.

SON DENOUNCES FATHER

ato German woman, Berezowsky said his first memory was his father s voice bidding him to learn to get on and mprove himself. Somehow, by sweat awu sacrifice known painfully to starveling ambition, ho won a scholarship in laul, at the age of twenty-throe, in the bt. Petersburg School of Mines. Hero at last opportunity was in his grasp. The faint voice of the prisoner strengthened, and his sunken eyes grew keen." Ho is young for his fifty years, this doomed puppet of success with black hair, slim figure, well-cut leatures, and strong nose. “It was hard work, and I worked hard, because I knew it would give me what I wanted,” ho said

Softly Krylenko interrupted, saying; “ You bad, then, no share in the revolution ary agitation among tho students in those three or four years? The prisoner’s answer rang clear: .“I paid no attention to that agitation. I felt that I was at school to study, not to plot.” Krvlenko smiled, not unkindly, and the crowded Hall of Columns was moved by a tiny stir of interest, for nil knew that Nikolai Krylenko had played a foremost part in that passionate revolt of youth against authority, had wasted student opportunity in kicking against the pricks, and had paid for his rashness by bitter years in prison. “ And the revolutionary movement in 1905 and 1906,” continued the prosecutor, “how did you regard that?” “ 1 took no notice,” was tho firm reply. “ 1 knew it was hopeless.” Again Krylenko smiled, this time not kindly at all, and the audience thrilled with pleasure at the chmax of tho SCO ne. The Great War found Berezowsky well on tho road to his goal. Exempted from tho military service as an indispensable expert, ho advanced swiftly. The revolution found him not yet forty years old, and earning 10,000 roubles a year, phis percentages, and with 20,000 roubles invested. In the next three years he tost everything except his belief that the proletarian revolution could not win. In 1920 his former boss, one Pryatkin, “aided” him with 10,000 roubles. Later tho same year ho received an important Soviet appointment, to help reorganise tho shattered coal industry. “You still believed that tho former owners would come hack?” a'sked Krylenko sharply. “Yes, until 1926,” was the reply. As the talc went on the audience loaned forward eagerly, because hero before them was a man signing his own death warrant. “ Yes, I joined tho traitors’ organisation,” he said. “. . . Yes, I took money from abroad. . . . Yes, I hampered coal production by acts of commission and omission.” “How long have yon thought like that?” asked Krylenko. “In 1926,” came the answer, so low that Krylenko stepped forward from his table, “ I began fo doubt.” Tho prisoner paused and blow his nose loudly. Then lie resumed pitifully, his voice like the whino of a beaten dog: “It was then too late. I had been compromised. I was unable to change.” “So yon continued your damaging activities?”. Krylenko’s voice was icy, “Until when?” Berczowsky’s white hands writhed. “Until,” he gasped, “until February of this year, when—when ” (tho voice rose to a falsetto) —“when I was arrested.”

The tense audience relaxed in _ their seats with a murmur of satisfaction.

There was a long pause while the accused evidently tried to fathom what trap was being laid. Then with an, air of having the worst over, ho suddenly said, “ A fiddle.” ir Even the judges smiled, and M. Krylenko continued: “Mansouroff gave you presents? “ I don’t think,” began Antonoff. “Yes or no.” demanded M. Krylenko. Again the prisoner paused, and then ho exploded : “Only a pup!” “But generally yon were good friends?” “ Yes,” came the answer. “ Well,” said M. Krylenko grimly, “hero is what yunr good friend Mansouroff thinks of you.” And then he read the testimony as follows “ ‘ Antonoff is a fantastic, loudmouthed, loose fellow, capable of every dirty trick in the world.’ that is Mausouroff’s sworn opinion.” The audience fairly shouted, and the prisoner's face was a picture of disgusted bewilderment. Then Ellada was brought forward, Elladz, the little Georgian, with the pointed head and irrepressible verbosity, who had created a sensation in his testimony. Ho had pleaded guilty to all of the charges, and had declard that all of the technicians throughout the Union were ill-disposed toward the Soviet regime.

Now, to M. Krylenko’s surprise, Eliadz attempted to withdraw everything, though he admitted that he had signed his statement voluntarily. “ But you declared that you had a stone of hatred against the new regime hidden in your heart,” cried M. Krylenko. “When did you get rid of that stone?”

“ In 1924,” replied the witness cheerfully, “when I came to. Moscow and saw tho groat progress.” “Ah, but in 1925 you had dose relations with Koorkin, who dynamited a mine,” said tho prosecutor. “I suppose the stone camo back again.” Eliadz agreed politely that it might have done so. Then, in a voice squeaky with excited sincerity, dapping his hands on his breast, ho cried.

“ But it is gone now, Citizen Krylenko. I swear it—gone completely, gone for ever!” His tone and manner literally brought down tho house, and tho little man smiled round as if pleased with himself. M. Krylenko bit his lip, and then said abruptly: “ I think it perhaps advisable to submi the prisoner to a psychopathic examination,” and ho resumed his scat disgusted. The scene changed with tho arrival of Abram Basnkin, one of the three Jews accused among tho half a hundred prisoners who alleged anti-Semi-tism has been a feature of tho trial, we read. A ripple of excitement ran through the Hall of Columns, the correspondent continues: Bashkin pleaded guilty. Ho is charged with co plicity with his elder brother, Isaac, who is in Berlin holding an important position in the Russian department of the A.E.G. (the German General Electric Company). By this Abram Bashkin’s evidence the prosecution hopes to justify Joseph Stalin’s words; “At the root of the Shakhta case lies a now attempt' at foreign economic intervention.” After a brief history of his life, Bashkin said that in the summer of 1926 his brother got in touch with him and offered to send him clothing through the visiting Germans. “What clothing?” asked M. Krylenko.

“A hat,” replied the prisoner, to the general bewilderment, which became stupefaction as the public saw M. Krylenko press the point in much detail, asking what kind of hat it was, when it was received, etc.

But some of ns knew, as the court knew, that the shrewd hunter was following no idle trail, for the hat was alleged to have been sent asm signal in a trial a few years ago of throe German students _ accused of attempting terrorist acts in Moscow. Clearly, M. Krylenko wished to establish a parallel. The _ crowd listened attentively as Bashkin's faint voice told how a German engineer named Waegncr showed him how to manage and how to damage a turbine. Hero it seemed there was .something concrete at last.