SOVIET PLOTTERS SENTENCED

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20640, 1 February 1937, Page 7

SOVIET PLOTTERS SENTENCED

ALL EYES ON RADEK WIDESPREAD INTEREST AROUSED VERDICT MIXES DEATH WITH CLEMENCY United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright MOSCOW, January 29. For the first time since the trial opened, the courtroom was jammed, to hear the accused make their last speeches, which seemed like funeral orations. The speed with which the closing stages of the trial were rushed through indicates an early verdict. Piatakov declared: “The prosecution correctly Stated all the facts, but I am no longer a Trotskyist. I wish M. Trotsky were here to share our fate.” Radek, whose earlier assurance deserted him, insisted that he was a political criminal, and vehemently protested at being tried with ordinary bandits and wreckers'. Sokolnikov pleaded that he was the first to fully confess, leading to the unearthing of the conspiracy. He added, in a sobbing voice: “After this exposure, I trust none will ever work under Mr Trotsky’s banner. TYotekyism is already crushed. I hope the Court will consider the extenuating circumstances, though I deserve nothing but the death penalty.” Radek in the Dock Radek emphasised that he stood by the beliefs which led him to the dock. He joined M. Trotsky because it was impossible to build up Socialism in one country alone. He realised too late that M. Trotsky would involve a foreign Power. He believed it was impossible to seize the Government of Russia without the aid of Herr Hitler. Radek then implicated Bukharim, who did not know everything. He indicated that over 100 were involved in the direction of the conspiracy. Radek said: “I was tortured by the Department of the Interior’s Investigators for ten weeks before I confessed. I did not confess until the confessions of all the others were shown me.” Radek concluded with warning Trotskyites in Russia, France and Spain that anyone who disagreed 7ith the party may the next moment be a spy. All prisoners sought clemency except Piatakov, Shestov and Radek. Differing from the earlier reports, which stated that Radek declared that he had been tortured, later versions indicate that Radek actually stated that he had tortured his inquisitors for ten weeks by refusing to answer them. Radek asked for nothing more merciful than death. Piatakov declared that when it became evident that the Trotskyist organisation had become the agent of fascism, he desired to leave it. “Dying, I am no longer a Trotskyite. I only regret that this chief criminal is not sitting here with us." The other prisoners declared repentance and sought leniency. The judges retired to consider the verdict. Sentences by Court The following sentences were passed: Radek, Sokolnikov and Arnold, ten years’ imprisonment. Strolioff, eight years. The remaining 13 were sentenced to death by shooting. Those sentenced to death have the right to appeal to the Soviet Central Committee, which must announce its decision within 72 hours. The accused, who were pale and nervous, were brought back to court at 2 a.m. to hear the verdict. They gazed forlornly at 400 spectators crowding the silent “Hall of Death, ’ which was stuffy and oppressive, despite the bitterly cold night outside. A military official, with a paradelike voice, called all present to attention, as the Judges returned. Judge Ulrich mounted the rostrum with a quick determined gait, carrying a paper on which the verdicts and sentences were written. He began reading rapidly and monotonously rattled off the names of those sentenced to death as swiftly as the remainder, while the prisoners’ eyes were fixed o- his face. The audience tensely awaited Radek’s sentence, the clemency of which caused surprise, as he had been the most defiant of all. Judge Ulrich cut short the applause, when he finished the sentences. He declared abruptly the Court dismissed and departed. Guards with fixed bayonets marched the prisoners out. Radek, Sokolnikov, Arnold and Stroiloff were not sentenced to death owing to extenuating circumstances, namely, that although they were guilty on all counts, they did not participate In the actual terrorism or wrecking activities.

UNDER THE CLUB TROTSKY’S EXPLANATION OF ACCUSEDS’ ATTITUDE United Press Association—Bv K>ectrle Telegraph—Copyright (Received February 1, 1.20 a.m.) MEXICO CITY, January 31 M. Trotsky in a statement said: “The trial resembled a typhoid delirium. The defendants throw themselves under the chariot of a terrible divinity, but, unlike the pious Hindu, they would not do so voluntarily, not out of fanaticism and not out of religious ecstacy, but oeldbloodedly and helplessly under a club which drove them into the impasse.