MOSCOW TRIAL

Manawatu Standard, Volume LI, Issue 6, 6 December 1930, Page 9

MOSCOW TRIAL

DEATH SENTENCE DEMANDED. PRISONERS’ CONFESSIONS. STATE PROSECUTOR’S ALLEGATIONS. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) Received December 6, 8.5 a.m. MOSCOW, Dec. 4. The State Prosecutor, M. Krylenko, to-day began his speech for the prosecution, in what is know as the trial of the professors. In ironical mood, he ridiculed Professor Ramzin as a dupe of the monarchists and capitalists. Addressing him directly, he exclaimed: “They used you, then told you to ‘get out, you serf!’ ” Demanding the death sentence for the eight accused, M. Krylenko declared that the trial had revealed that the capitalist world was now afraid of the exposure of its preparations for war against the Soviet, which would frustrate its plans.

The prisoners’ confessions had been voluntary. Torture had not been applied. M. Krylenko emphasised the complicity of M. Deterring, and quoted a speech made by him in Paris in June prophesying the liberation of Russia. M. Krylenko pictured the recent White Russian demonstration in Paris, derisively reading the names of present and former grand dukes, generals, priests and courtiers, which were received with paroxysms of laughter. He also violently attacked M. Poincare. Later he declared: “We never, never interfered with France and Britain as they interfere with us.” He described the accused as saboteurs of the Five Year Plan, .which despite the scepticism of the world Russia had successfully accomplished. , The accused were pale and showed signs of nervous strain.