ROLE OF THE COMMUNIST PARTY, USA , IN SOVIET INTELLIGENCE
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February 1, 1953
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..OLE OF THE COMMUNIST PARTY, USA,
SOVIET INTELLIGENCE
FBI review(s)
completed.
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
john Edgar Hoover, Director
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SECURITY INFORMATION - SECRET
ROLE OF THE COMMUNIST PARTY, USA,
IN SOVIET INTELLIGENCE
February, 1953
Federal Bureau of Investigation
United States Department of Justice
John Edgar Hoover, Director
SECURITY INFORMATION - SECRET
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
IN Page
TRODUCTION.. .............?............?...???.soo?a .. i
IDEOLOGICAL PREMISE............................. o .. ? ... 1
Soviet Doctrine ? .... .................... ?... 1
Communist Party, USA, Doctrine ....................... 5
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND.. ............................
Ear y , eva u ionary egislation ............... . ........ .
Prerevolutionary Russian Bolshevik Influence
In The United States.... ........o...?....~?...... 9
Ludwig Martens and The Communist Movement In
The United States...~o. ....oo..... ...o ............. 10
Early Comintern Influence In The United States........... . 11
Soviet Intelligence - 1924.... o .... . ........... a ... , ..... 13
ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE COMMUNIST PARTY'S ROLE
15
ay Loves one. o....,.....? ................. 15
Henry Felix and Elizabeth Mins. ? ............... . o ..... , 18
J. Peters - Whittaker Chambers.......... ..... o .. .... 21
Background. ............................0....0 22
Communist Party Representatives and The
"Ulrich" Apparatus.. . . .. 24
Independent Phases of Peters' Operations........... 27
Operations Following Dissolution of "Ulrich"
Apparatus........ - 28
The Marine Worker, Ben.......... ............ ~........ 30
Hede Massing .. 31
Jacob Golos - Louis Francis Budenz - Elizabeth Bentley.... 35
Jacob Golos-World Tourists, Incorporated... 0 0 ... 36
Louis Francis Budenz-Jack Stachel......... . . . . . . , 38
Elizabeth Bentley-Earl Browder ................. a . 40
Julius and Ethel Rosenberg - Morton Sobell..... o ........ 43
Julius and Ethel Rosenberg-David Greenglass....... 43
Morton Sobell-Max Elitcher.. 46
Current Role of the Communist Party, USA...... C . . . 00.0 47
CONCLUSION .........oo..o..? .............fl............... 51
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SECURITY INFORMATION - SECRET
INTRODUCTION
This is a study of material relating to the ideological premise
and historical background of the relationship between the Communist Party,
USA, and the Soviet Union. This material gives the prediction for the
regulting role of the Communist Party, USA, in Soviet Intelligence.
In order to clearly depict this specific role of the Communist
Party, USA, pertinent portions of various cases in point have been
utilized as illustrations. The cases chosen to illustrate this role of the
Communist Party, USA, do not constitute a complete listing of cases
within this scope, but are cases considered to be illustrative of the
various categories of cooperation supplied by the Communist Party,
USA, in the past.
This study is only concerned with the Soviet Intelligence
services collectively and not in regard to their individual organizational
breakdowns.
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IDEOLOGICAL PREMISE
Soviet Doctrine
The emotional appeal of the successful Russian Bolshevik
Revolution in October, 1917* aroused the common anticipation, sympathy,
and support of many revolutionaries who held divergent ideas in regard to
the organization and application of revolutionary socialism in the United
States. In order to consolidate and sustain this support in the direction
of a world revolutionary movement, it became necessary that the Russian
Bolsheviks should initiate and propagate a doctrine toward these ends.
Vladimir I. Lenin, the leader of the Russian Bolshevik
Revolution and Soviet Russia, laid an early foundation for this doctrine
in his Letter to American Workers dated August 20, 1918. This letter
sought to make a report on the Russian Bolshevik Revolution and to
enlist the support of the "American workers" in a common revolutionary
cause. This early doctrine of Lenin relative to the relationship between
Soviet. Russia and its sympathizers in the United States is quoted as follows:
*November, according to our own calender.
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"The American workers will not follow the bourgeoisie.
They will be with us for civil war against the bourgeoisie.
The whole history of the world and the American labour
movement strengthens my conviction.... "
"We know that help from you, comrades American workers,
will probably not come soon, for the development of the
revolution proceeds with a different tempo and in different
forms in different countries (and it cannot be otherwise).... " (1)
In order to further consolidate and sustain the leadership of
Soviet Russia in the world revolutionary Socialist movement, Lenin
initiated the formation of the Third Communist International (Comintern) in
early 1919. The Second Congress of the Third Communist International in
July-August, 1920, adopted 21 points or conditions of membership in the
Third Communist International. These points provided. for an international
revolutionary party in regard to its membership, leadership, policy, press,
and discipline. Of particular interest are two of these points, translations
of which are quoted as follows:
"In almost all countries of Europe and America the
class war is entering upon the stage of civil war.
Under such conditions Communists can place little
trust in the stability of bourgeois law. They must
create everywhere an. unofficial, underground
machinery which in the decisive moment could be
of assistance to the party in. discharging its duty in the
cause of revolutions. It
1. V. I. Lenin, A Letter to American Workers (International Publishers,
New York, 1934), pp. 17, 21.
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"Every Party desirous of belonging to the Communist
International shall be bound to render all possible
assistance to any Soviet Republic which may need
support in its struggle against counter-revolutionary
forces. "
The Communist International climaxed its doctrine of
centralizing the sovereignty of the international Communist movement
in the Soviet Union, at the Sixth World Congress of the Communist
International at Moscow in July-August of 1928. A resolution adopted
by this Congress which clearly and definitely sets forth this doctrine
is quoted in part as follows:
"The Red Army is not an 'enemy' army, but the army of
the international proletariat. In the event of a war against
the Soviet Union, the workers in capitalist countries must
not allow themselves to be scared from supporting the
Red Army and from expressing this support by fighting
against their own bourgeoisie, by the charges of treason
that the bourgeoisie may hurl against them. " (2)
This exalted position of the Soviet Union among the "world
proletariat" is again reiterated by Georgi Dimitroff, General Secretary
of the Communist International, on the occasion of the twentieth
anniversary of the Russian Bolshevik Revolution.
"The land of victorious socialism, which is playing
an outstanding part in uniting the international proletariat,
2. "The Struggle Against Imperialist War and the Tasks of the Communists"
(Workers Library Publishers, New York City, 193$, p. 31.
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is rallying all sincere supporters of the workers' cause
still more closely around the U. S. S. R. In the present
international situation there is not, nor can there be
any other, more certain criterion, than one's attitude
toward the Soviet Union, in determining who istht ie
friend and who the enemy of the cause of the working
class and socialis , o determining who is a supporter
and who an opponent of democracy and peace.... You
cannot carry on a real struggle against fascism if you
do not render all possible assistance in strengthening
the most important buttress of this struggle, the Soviet
Union. " 3T-
We again see this doctrine enunciated in a modern disguise at
the Nineteenth Congress of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (1952)
in a speech delivered by Joseph Stalin, Premier of the Soviet Union.
Pertinent quotations giving a basis for reciprocal obligations and
affection between the Soviet Union and foreign Communist Party
organizations are set out as follows
"Our Party and our country have always needed, and will
need, the confidence, the sympathy and the support of
fraternal peoples abroad."
"Naturally, our Party cannot remain indebted to the fraternal
parties, and. it must in its turn render support to them and
also to their peoples in their struggle for emancipation, and
in their struggle for the preservation of peace. " (4)
3. Georgi Dimitroff, The United Front (International Publishers, New York,
1938), p. 279.
4. Joseph Stalin, "Speech by J. V. Stalin At the Nineteenth Congress of
the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, " New Times, Published in
the Soviet Union, No. 42, 1952, pp. 1, 2.
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Communist Party, USA, Doctrine
The doctrine of the Communist movement in the United States
has been a clear reflection of doctrine formulated in the Soviet Union.
An early newspaper of the Communist Party of America, The Communist,
published a resolution adopted by the Second Convention of the Communist
Party of America concerning the "Relation of Communist Parties to
Soviet Government Representatives. " This resolution makes little
distinction between Comintern and official representatives of Soviet
Russia.
"The Communist Parties of the various countries are the
direct representatives of the Communist International, and
thus, indirectly of the aims and policies of Soviet Russia.
"Representatives of Soviet Russia in various countries,
engaging in political activities, should co-ordinate these
activities in some form or other with the activities and
policies of the respective Communist Parties; , ." (5)
This doctrine of removing the allegiance of Communists in the
United States to their government and, instead, placing this allegiance
with the Soviet Union was extended by the Workers (Communist) Party of
America in the late 1920's. A directive issued by Bertram D. Wolfe,
National Agitprop Director, Workers (Communist) Party of America,
exemplified this doctrine. This directive captioned "Introduction to
Speakers Outline on the Controversy in the Communist Party of the
Soviet Union" included the following under the heading, "Our Task. "
5. The Communist, August 1, 1920, p. 8.
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"An intensive campaign to counteract the slanders of
the opposition against the CPSU, the Soviet Government
and the achievements of the Russian workers. A positive
propaganda in favor of the Comintern as the leader of the
workers and oppressed masses of the world, as the enemy
of imperialism and capitalism. Positive propaganda to
show that the Soviet #overnment is building socialism, that
the workers are getting along better without theirr bosses
and that the tenth year is better than the ninth, that Soviet
economy is marching forward, that the workers of the
world have a country to defend, that in the next war the
workers of America must rally to the defense of the Soviet
Union and not only f rate rnize with but actively support the
Red Army and propaganda to rouse the entire American
class to the defense of the Soviet Union is the best method
of fighting the slangers of the opposition and counteracting
the evil effects their propaganda would otherwise have."
William Z. Foster, Chairman of the Communist Party, USA,
has recorded his views reflecting a direct support of this doctrine. The
following is extracted from a book authored by Foster and copyrighted in
1937:
"In nearly all countries there are now strong Communist
Parties, under the leadership of the Communist International
and ready to apply Lenin?s decisive revolutionary slogan of
transforming the imperialist war into a revolutionary war
against capitalism. And behind it all stands the great
fortress of Socialism, the Soviet Union with its powerful
revolutionary Red Army. " (6)
During the reign of the now deposed Earl Browder as General
Secretary of the Communist Party, USA, the Party further expressed its
foreign ideology. The Eleventh National Convention of the Communist
6. William Z. Foster, From Bryan to Stalin (International Publishers,
New York, 1937), P. 344.
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Party, USA, in session from May 30 to June 2, 1940, adopted a resolution
which expressed in a reverent tone its proud association with foreign
Communist leaders, The great leaders in the history of the United States
are disregarded as if they were representatives of a foreign ideology.
This approach may be clearly seen in the following quotation from this
resolution:
"We are proud to bear the high title of member of the
Communist Party of the United States of America. Let
us raise high the banner of proletarian internationalism.
We are proud to be associated with the Communist Inter-
national.... We are proud to be associated in the ranks
of proletarian internationalism with the greatest thinker,
leader and builder of our time, who carried the work of
Marx, Engels and Lenin to new heights, to the victorious
establishment of socialism, to the period of transition
to Communism, to the safeguarding of the Soviet Union
and its achievements against the furious dying struggles
of a hostile capitalistic world- -the great Stalin." (7)
By 1952, Earl Browder had been purged from the American
Party; however, William Z. Foster continued as Party Chairman and
repeated the earlier doctrine of a projected anti-Soviet war in less direct
terms. In this connection, Foster is quoted as follows:
"If, despite the efforts of the peace forces of America
and the world, Wall Street should succeed in plunging
the world into war, we would oppose it as an unjust,
aggressive, imperialist war, as an undemocratic and
an anti-Socialist war, destructive of the deepest interests
of the American people and humanity. "
7. The Communist, July, 1940, p. 618.
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Foster also reiterates the position of they Soviet Union by
calling it the "strong center of the international peace movement" and
the "vanguard of the world movement toward Socialism. " (8)
It is interesting to note that a more positive approach is taken
in connection with this doctrine for the same general period in connection
with material issued by the Party, but not for public consumption. A
recent educational outline issued by the Communist Party, USA, declares
that among the major tasks confronting American Communists today
are the defense of the Soviet Union and aid to the Soviet Union as the
fatherland to the proletariat.
Thus from the preceding pages we see evidence of a doctrine
propagated by the Soviet Union and clearly accepted by the Communist
Party, USA, which in effect makes the Communist Party, USA, a "Soviet
Satellite" within the borders of the United States. Party members are
instilled with the idea that they can not in reality commit treason against
the United States because their true allegiance is with a higher sovereign,
the "international proletariat" and their center of operations, the Soviet
Union. With this we may understand the ideological predication for the
role of the Communist Party, USA, in Soviet Intelligence activities.
8. William Z. Foster, History of the Communist Party of the United
States (International Publishers, New York, 1952), pp. 458, 529, 538.
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HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
Early Revolutionary Legislation
Despite chaotic conditions in domestic Soviet Russia
immediately following the October Revolution, the Russian Bolshevik
leaders did not neglect their ideological obligation of world revolution.
The Sovnarcom (Council of People's Commissaries) on December 24,
1917, allocated two million rubles to the foreign representatives of
the Commissariat of Foreign Affairs "for needs of the international
revolutionary movement. " (9)
Prerevolutionary Russian Bolshevik Influence it The United States
Russian Bolshevik leaders were busy with their organization
and propaganda in the United States, even prior to the October
Involution. A review of some letters written by Lenin reveals that
he was being represented in the United States by Madame Alexandra M.
Kollontay, a native Russian and who became subsequently the first Minister
of Social Welfare in Soviet Russia. As illustrations of Lenin's instructions
to Madame Kollontay, the following brief quotations are taken from Lenin's
letters of November 9, 1915,and March 19, 1916, respectively:
9. David Shub, Lenin, A Biography (Doubleday and Company, Inc. ,
Garden City, 1948), p.-3-40.
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"Try everywhere to see (if only for five minutes) the
local Bolsheviks, in order to encourage them and link
them up with us, "
"You must definitely concentrate on links with America. " (10)
Other prominent Russian Bolsheviks who were in the United
States in the period immediately prior to the October Revolution included
Leon Trotsky, Nikolai I. Bukharin, and Ludwig Alexander Karlovitch
(Carlovitch) Martens, all of whom were identified with the Russian-language
Socialist newspaper in New York City, Novy Mir. The significance of the
presence of these persons in the United States may be judged. somewhat by
their official positions in the new Soviet Russia. Trotsky became the
People's Commissar for Foreign Affairs; Bukharin became editor of
Pravda , the Bolshevik organ in Soviet Russia; and Martens was designated
the first "official" representative of Soviet Russia to the United States.
Ludwig Martens and The Communist Movement In The United States
A glance at the activities of Ludwig Martens as the first Soviet
"official" representative to the United States gives an interesting preview of
a developing relationship between Soviet representatives and the Communist
movement in the United States. In January, 1919, Martens was appointed
the representative to the United States for the People's Commissariat of
10. Elizabeth Hill and Doris Mudie, The Letters of Lenin. (Harcourt,
Brace and Company, Inc., New York, , pp. , 390.
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Foreign Affairs, Russian. Socialist Federated Soviet Republic. In March,
1919, Martens sent his credentials to the State Department of the United
States along with a memorandum which in part advocated. "material and
intellectual intercourse" with Russia. Martens is best known for developing
this advocated objective along commercial and propaganda lines. It is
interesting to note, however, that Martens and his Soviet Bureau Staff
became involved in a security or counterintelligence situation with leaders of
the Communist movement in the United States.
In 1920, Louis Fraina, a Communist functionary in the United
States, was subjected to a "trial" by representatives of the Communist
movement and Martens' Soviet Bureau relative to the charge that Fraina
was a United States Government "spy" in the Communist movement. Martens,
an official of Soviet Russia, was present at this hearing. Fraina was cleared
of this charge and allowed to proceed to the Soviet Union as the International
Secretary of the Communist Party of America and delegate to the Communist
International.
Early Comintern Influence In The United States
During the formative years of the Communist Party, USA,
the 1920's, Comintern and Soviet Intelligence representatives in the United
States were confronted with a Communist movement beset by dissension and
weakness of organization. The Soviet-dominated Comintern molded into the
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Communist movement an organization and a discipline which absorbed
Soviet-directed doctrine and developed into a Soviet "Trojan Horse" in the
United States. In addition to assuming the potentialities of a disciplined
offensive revolutionary arm of the Soviet-directed world Communist
movement, the Communist Party, USA, became a responsible ally of the
Soviet Union within the United States with the resultant potentialities of
such an ally.
The organizational functions of the Comintern in the United
States offered a ready means for the exchange of information between
Communist sources in the United States and Comintern offices in the.
Soviet Union. Benjamin Gitlow, a former member of the Secretariat,
Workers (Communist) Party of America, has supplied illustrations of
this technique forgathering intelligence in the United States. Of particular
interest in this regard are minutes of Workers (Communist) Party of
America, Political Bureau meeting in May, 1927. These minutes revealed
that a Comintern .agent, Comrade Loaf, was present in the United States
and Max Bedacht, Acting General Secretary of the Party, made a motion
in this connection which is quoted as follows:
"The Pol Bureau takes note of the request of the
Secretariat of the CI (Communist International) to
assist Comrade Loaf in his task of collecting infor-
mation for the Information Bureau of the CI on the
American Labor movement. It will assist Comrade
Loaf in the accomplishment of this task to the best
of its ability. "
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On another occasion, according to Gitlow, William Z. Foster,
as a member of the Party Secretariat, submitted a lengthy report to the
Comintern which analyzed economic and political conditions in the United
States. Gitlow also stated that copies of this report were designated for
the Profintern (Red International of Trade Unions), the Russian Party, and
Soviet Intelligence.
Regardless of any stated purpose relative to the utilization of
information obtained by the Comintern, the end attained was potentially
the same, i. e. , the supplying of intelligence to the Soviet Union.
Soviet Intelligence -n 1924
The year 1924 might well be considered a landmark for formal
Soviet Intelligence activities in the United States. It was in this year that
the first broad "legal" base for Soviet Intelligence operations in the United
States was established, namely, the Amtorg Trading Corporation. Walter
Krivitsky, a former Soviet Military Intelligence Agent, said Soviet Military
Intelligence's interest in the United States dated back to 1924. Other evidence
in this category may be seen in the report of President of the Supreme
Council of the People's Economy, Dzerzhinsky, made,to the Sovnarcom
(Council of People's Commissaries of Soviet Russia) on December 9, 1924.
A portion of this report relating to the work of Soviet Intelligence is quoted
as follows.
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"The 0. G. P. U. not only works energetically at paralyzing
the espionage of foreign states in the U. S. S. R., but it has
also succeeded in creating a network of information-
intelligence agencies in all the large centers of Europe
and North America. Responsible workers of the 0. G. P. U.
are detailed to all the diplomatic and trade missions of the
U.S.S.R. abroad. The total strength of the Foreign Depart-
ment of the 0. G. P. U. is 1, 300 persons, including the
employees of the Foreign Department in Moscow. The
0. G. P. U. has repeatedly rendered service to the Commissariat
of Foreign. Affairs and the Staff of the Red Army in supplying
secret information both of a political and military nature. "
Aside from the year 1924 being an operational landmark, it was
also the year of an interesting prediction made by the sinking Soviet leader,
Leon Trotsky. In a speech made on June 21, 1924, Trotsky stated:
"We have every reason to believe that the American
revolution will take place much later than the European
one. Historically it is quite possible that the development
of events, by which the East will free itself from the
imperialistic yoke, will be such that the proletariat will
gain the power in Europe, but America will remain, as
before, the stronghold of capital. In that sense the United
States can and will become the chief counterrevolutionary
force in History. (Underscoring added for emphasis - ed.)
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ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE COMMUNIST PARTY'S ROLE
IN SOVIET INTELLIGENCE
After considering the preceding information, it would appear
that the Communist Party, USA, could logically assume a role in Soviet
Intelligence activities; but has this role actually been taken by the Party?
The answer to this question lies in the succeeding pages with illustrations
of the role of the Communist Party, USA, in Soviet Intelligence.
JAY LOVESTONE
This illustration of the role played by the Communist Party, USA,
in Soviet Intelligence describes the early relationship between the Party
Secretariat and Soviet Intelligence representatives. This relationship
revolved around the ability and willingness of the Party Secretariat to
supply Soviet Intelligence ideological recruits, bath from Party and non-
Party ranks. The desire of Soviet Intelligence to conceal the Party
affiliation of their Party recruits is also evident during this early period.
According to Benjamin Gitlow, former General Secretary of the
Workers (Communist) Party of America, the organizational structure of
the Party provided for liaison with Soviet representatives in the United
States, including the "O. G. P. U. " Gitlow identified Jay Lovestone as the
member of the Party Secretariat who was in liaison with Soviet Intelligence.
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We shall see in the recorded activities of Lovestone and subsequent Party
officials evidence of a continuing pattern of liaison with Soviet Intelligence
representatives in the United States.
Theodore MacLean Switz, a resident of the United States and
a non-Party member, was an early contribution of Lovestone to Soviet
Intelligence operations. As a sincere Communist sympathizer, Switz
obtained an introduction to Lovestone and expressed to Lovestone his desire
to be of assistance to the Communist cause. In early 1927, Lovestone
introduced Switz to Jacob Moness. Switz soon realized that Moness was
not engaged just in Communist activity blit was acting as an espionage
agent for the So\riet Union. In connection with. the espionage operations
of Moness, Switz also came into contact with a Soviet girl, Zinaida Antipova,
who was employed by the Russian Red Cross organization in New York City.
This did not mark the last time that a humanitarian agency was utilized by
Soviet Intelligence in the United States.
Moness carried on his operations under the. cover of the Moness
Chemical Company, 426 Broome Street, New York City. Moness was
recorded as the sole owner and operator of this firm from 1923 to early
1927. Material left by Moness, upon the occasion of his hasty return to the
Soviet Union in 1927, indicated that Moness might have been collecting
intelligence information for the Soviets as early as 1924. In a communication
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received by Moness in January, 1926, his Soviet Intelligence contact
complained of the absence of information relating to naval technique in
1924-25. In 1926, the assignments of Moness included information
regarding organizational, technical, political, tactical and training topics
as they related to the United States Army and Navy.
This illustrates the capability of the Party apparatus to channel
a Communist sympathizer into Soviet Intelligence. Switz was motivated not
by a Party discipline, but by a desire to aid the Communist cause.
Jan Alfred Tilton who bas been identified with Soviet Intelligence
activities in the United States also received valuable aid from the Communist
Party in connection with his operations. Among the American Communists
recruited by Tilton was Nicholas Dozenberg, employed in the national office
of the Workers (Communist) Party of America as manager of the Literature
Department. Dozenberg was recruited by Tilton in late 1927 or early 1928.
Of particular interest is the function of the Party Secretariat in connection
with this recruitment. Jay Lovestone presented the matter of Dozenberg's
recruitment or proposed recruitment by Soviet Intelligence to the Party
Secretariat composed of William Z. Foster, Benjamin Gitlow, and Lovestone.
The Party Secretariat approved the selection of Dozenberg for Soviet
Intelligence duties.
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Another example of a similar recruitment during this period
involving a person close to Party leadership circles concerns Jay Lovestone
and George Andrew Meyler. Meyler was the husband of Elsa Bloch who
was employed in Party headquarters in Chicago in approximately 1926-1927.
Lovestone released Meyler from the Party for Soviet Intelligence activities.
It is noted that Meyler was subsequently placed. in contact with. Whittaker
Chambers by Chambers' Soviet superior "Ulrich. "
According to Dozenberg, Soviet Intelligence agents in his
category were specifically instructed to conceal their Party affiliation and
make only discreet contact with the Party. Dozenberg also stated that
Soviet Intelligence frequently utilized the services of Party members;
however, the contacts were made through an intermediary.
Although Dozenberg performed miscellaneous duties such as
supplying certain publications to Soviet Intelligence, he identified his
primary activity as establishing "business covers" for Soviet Intelligence
operations outside of the United States.
HENRY FELIX AND ELIZABETH MINS
A simple matter such as a Communist-owned address has a
story of various categories of cooperation between the Communist Party, its
members and Soviet Intelligence operations. This address was utilized as
temporary housing and a rendezvous by Soviet Intelligence. In addition, this
address, as a mail drop, was involved in the travel of a Soviet agent. who,
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with Party support, was atterrlpting to bring into the United States in a
clandestine manner funds or sources of funds as well as equipment for
preparing false identification papers. This address, 410 West 154th
Street, New York City, was owned and occupied by Henry Felix and
Elizabeth Mins who were identified with underground Party activities
in the 1920's.
Lydia Stahl, a Soviet Intelligence photographer, was met by her
Soviet Intelligence contact, Jan Alfred Tilton, on the occasion of her
arrival in the United States in 1928 and referred to the Mins address for
temporary residence. This address was subsequently used as a meeting
place by Lydia Stahl and a subsequent Soviet superior, Moische Stern. On
several occasions in 1931, Stern was seen to enter this address immediately
after collecting information from an espionage contact.
In addition to being utilized as temporary housing for a newly
arrived Soviet agent in the United States and as a rendezvous for Soviet
Intelligence operators, this address was involved in an illegally utilized
United States passport issued in the name of Ksavier Augustus Szpokas.
This passport of Szpokas was fraudulently used by Albert Feierabend when
re-entering the United States in 1933.
Nicholas Dozenberg 'has identified Feierabend as the person
who succeeded him in his initial Soviet Intelligence duties in approximately
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the Spring of 1928 or 1929. The task assumed by Feierabend was to
purchase, pack, and ship to Russia all industrial books, legal publications,
and magazines dealing with industry and industrial methods in the United
States, In July, 1930, Feierabend was arrested while entering the United
States at New York City, on a charge of complicity in smuggling Swiss
watch mpvements into the United States. At the time of the arrest,
Feierabend had in his possession equipment for preparing false identification
papers. Feierabend was again arrested on a passport fraud charge when
entering the United States at New York City in April, 1933. When arrested,
Feierabend had concealed on his person $28, 700 in currency.
The activities of Feierabend on behalf of the Soviets is of
particular interest in view of a white ribbon which was found to be in his
possession during this period. This ribbon, bearing the date July 18, 1930,
is quoted as follows: "The bearer of this credential is thoroughly trust-
worthy and should be given all possible. support, so that he may effectively
accomplish the mission he is engaged in. " This ribbon was signed by
Max Bedacht, "For the Secretariat. "
In this connection it is noted that Benjamin Gitlow has advised
that Bedacht temporarily succeeded him as General Secretary of the Party
and was the Party liaison -man with the "OGPU. "
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Here we see a fairly complex example of interrelation between
the Party organization and Soviet Intelligence, involving transmission of
funds or other assets, a fraudulent passport, material for preparing false
identification certificates and the residence of a Communist utilized for
varying purposes by Soviet Intelligence.
J. PETERS - WHITTAKER CHAMBERS
This example gives us various phases and categories of
relationships between the organized Communist Party underground and
Soviet Intelligence. Here we see Party assistance in recruitment for
Soviet Intelligence originating with both the Party and Soviet Intelligence.
The scope of Party leadership involved in these recruitments extends from
the local state organizer to the national office. The Party has been
involved in both oral and written methods of recruiting members or
sympathizers for Soviet Intelligence.
In addition to this all-important category of the Party's
cooperation. with Soviet Intelligence, we have illustrations of the Party's
collusion in a two-way exchange of information, transfer of funds, obtaining
clandestine quarters for photography work, assisting in photography work,
providing fraudulent documents of identification, providing business cover
and requesting Party aid in establishing a seaman courier apparatus. Party
cooperation was not restricted to Soviet Intelligence operations in the United
States, but also extends to operations abroad.
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Background
Alexander Goldberger, now better known as J. Peters or
Alexander Stevens, first entered the United States on February 10, 1924.
Peters subsequently became prominent in the Hungarian Section of the
Workers (Communist) Party of America. Peters became National
Secretary of the Hungarian Section during the approximate period of 1925
to 1928 and was aligned politically with the Jay Lovestone faction in the
Party. In 1929 when the Lovestone faction was eliminated from the Party
in the United States, Peters seized the opportunity to defect from the
Lovestone faction and allied himself and his following in the Hungarian
Section of the Party with the Foster-Browder group.. According to
Whittaker Chambers, who has admitted working for Peters in the Communist
underground, Peters attributed his subsequent power in the conspiratorial
apparatus of the karty to his action in bringing over a substantial portion
of the Hungarian Section to the Foster-Browder group.
A review of the activities of Peters reveals that he was deeply
involved in both organizational and conspiratorial aspects of the Party's
operations. In 1930, he contacted a member-at-large of the Party relative
to that person's operating a travel bureau in New York City, both as a
legitimate business and as a cover for his operations. In 1932, Peters
was seen in the Soviet Union as the Party representative to the Comintern.
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It was during this latter period that one of the more prominent associates
of Peters in Party conspiratorial work, the previously mentioned Whittaker
Chambers ,was introduced to Soviet Intelligence activity.
Chambers became a member of the Party in 1925. He has
indicated that his subsequent contributions to the Communist movement,
until the Spring of 1932, centered around his editorial work for the
Communist publications, Daily Worker and New Masses. While working
in his office at New Masses during the Spring of 1932, Chambers was
telephonically contacted by Max Bedacht and summoned to the National
Headquarters of the Communist Party in New York City. Upon arrival
at Bedacht's office, Chambers was advised by Bedacht that he had been
selected to work in one of the Party's "special institutions. " Chambers
was instructed by Bedacht to sever his relationship with New Masses and
the open Communist Party organization. Bedacht subsequently introduced
Chambers to "Don, " who in turn introduced Chambers to a Russian identified
as "Herbert. " At this meeting with "Herbert" and 'Don, " Chambers was
again ,instructed to sever his relationship with the Party and New Masses.
"Herbert" also advised Chambers that he was to receive subsequent
instructions from 'Don. "
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Communist Party Representatives and The "Ulrich" Apparatus
Chambers had previously known "Don" as John Loomis Sherman,
a member of the Communist Party and the Daily Worker staff. Sherman
described Chambers' new duty as liaison between the Communist Party,
personified by Bedacht, and the "underground, " Sherman indicated that he
had previously held this liaison position assigned to Chambers. This previous
activity of Sherman was verified by a former member of the Moische Stern
apparatus who identified John Loomis Sherman as the "Frank" who was
loaned to the Stern apparatus by the Communist Party as a liaison man
between the Party and the apparatus in 1931-32. According to this
former Soviet agent, Sherman also assisted the apparatus by leasing
an apartment for photographic work and assisted in the actual photographic
work of the apparatus.
Sherman soon introduced Chambers to another Russian contact,
"Ulrich, " (Alexander Petrovich Ulanovski) and disappeared from the
operation. Chambers continued his liaison activities between "Ulrich"
and Bedacht. As an indication of the continuing close relationship between
the Party and Soviet Intelligence, Chambers cited some examples involving
"Ulrich" and Bedacht. On one occasion Chambers introduced "Ulrich" to
Bedacht and witnessed "Ulrich" passing money to Bedacht. On another
occasion "Ulrich" instructed Chambers to.advise Bedacht that a courier
(unidentified) who was crossing the United States was being shadowed.
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According to Chambers, Bedacht was to get in contact with this courier.
On still another occasion, Bedacht introduced Chambers to an individual
whom he described as being of interest to "Ulrich. " Chambers placed this
person, Arvid Jacobson, in contact with "Ulrich. " Jacobson was subsequently
arrested in Finland in connection with the Soviet espionage operations of
Maria Tilton.
While working with "Ulrich, " Chambers also began to contact
J. Peters who gradually replaced Bedacht as Chambers' Party contact.
Chambers described Peters as eager to cooperate with the "Ulrich" apparatus.
Peters occasionally suggested potential recruits for the apparatus. On one
occasion, Peters instructed Chambers to advise "Ulrich" of a valuable
source at the Electric Boat Company in Connecticut. After conveying this
information to "Ulrich, " who instructed him to investigate the possibilities
of this source, Chambers accompanied Peters to New Haven, Connecticut.
There Peters placed Chambers in contact with Isadore Wofsey, who at
that time was District Organizer of the Communist Party in Connecticut;
and Wofsey, in turn, introduced Chambers to his contact at the Electric
Boat Company. This contact, a Party member, made an arrangement to
supply Chambers with certain blueprints for photographing. Inasmuch as
Chambers subsequently encountered difficulty in making photographic aopies
of this material for the apparatus, "Ulrich" took the initative and
introduced Chambers to "Frank, " whom he described as an "experienced"
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member of the apparatus. "Frank" was to assume the duty of photographing
the material from the source at the Electric Boat Company. Chambers
identified "Frank" as George Andrew Meyler who has been mentioned
previously as a Soviet Intelligence recruit from the Party.
As an indication-of the Soviet Union's interest in the Electric
Boat Company, it is interesting to note that Soviet trade., representatives
were negotiating with this concern prior to January 13, 1937, in an attempt
to obtain the assistance of the Electric Boat Company for the production of
a submarine in the Soviet Union.
Still another illustration of "Ulrich's" dependency on the
Party occurred with Adolf Hitler's assumption to power in Germany in
1933 and Communist purge. The German seaman courier line of
communication to the "Ulrich" apparatus was broken and "Ulrich"
found it necessary to call upon the American Party, through Chambers,
to determine whether the Party had any contacts which he might use to
establish a new courier system.
In the Spring of 1934, according to Chambers, his Soviet
contact, "Ulrich, " advised him that the apparatus was being disbanded and
Chambers should return to the Communist Party. Actually, Chambers
stated, he was turned back to work with J. Peters in the underground
Communist Party. During this period, the Spring of 1934, Peters
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introduced Chambers to Harold Ware, who was described as heading an
underground Communist group in Washington, D. C. According to
Chambers, the "Ware group" became the base for his underground
Communist activity from this period of introduction until his break
with the Communist Party in mid-April 1938.
Independent Phases of Peters' Operations
In order to more clearly understand the relationship of J.
Peters and his clandestine Party operations with Soviet Intelligence,
particularly in the early 1930's, some attention should be given to other
phases of his activity which were independent of Whittaker Chambers.
A former Communist Party organizer,whom we shall call
"Jacob, " has advised of another phase of Peters' activity which fits into
the category of intelligence-gathering activity. In approximately 1934,
"Jacob" saw Peters and "Charles Wilson" at Party headquarters in New
York City. At that time Peters instructed "Jacob" to proceed to a
military field in Texas, organize a Communist unit at this field and
secure intelligence information regarding military activities. In
addition, "Jacob" was instructed to complete a personal history question-
naire which was to be transmitted to the Soviet Union. "Jacob" identified
"Charles Wilson" as Peters' assistant in the military field.
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In connection with the collection of military intelligence
information by J. Peters and "Charles Wilson" in the early 1930's,
another category of cooperation with Soviet Intelligence is indicated by the
Robert Osman case.
Osman, a former member of the Young Communist League,
joined the United States Army in 1931 and was sent to the Panama Canal
Zone. While stationed there, Osman received a communication from
"Charles Wilson" whom he knew as a former fellow member of the Young
Communist League. This communication advised Osman that he would be
visited by a mutual friend. The person who subsequently contacted Osman
was identified as Robert Gordon Switz, a professed Soviet agent. According
to Swatz, his contact with Osman was on the instruction of his Soviet
Intelligence superior and not Peters or "Charles Wilson. "
Other information regarding the scope of the intelligence
activity of Peters is included subsequently in this study under the caption
"Bede Massing. " At this point we shall turn to a new period of the Chambers-
Peters relationship.
Operations Following Dissolution of "Ulrich" Apparatus
After the departure of "Ulrich, " Chambers was engaged in a maze
of operations involving independent operations for his new Soviet contacts,
liaison between Peters and these Soviet contacts, and contact with the
Communist underground apparatus of Peters.
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During this new period of activity, Peters and. his Communist
underground researchers and contacts were utilized in connection with
arranging business covers and false documents of identification for a
proposed Soviet operation in England involving Chambers. This Chambers'
operation did not materialize and the business cover was subsequently
utilized by Soviet Intelligence in connection with the Japanese operation
of John Loomis Sherman. In connection with the Sherman assignment in
Japan, two Communists in California were also involved, Isaac Folkoff and
"Keith. " "Keith" also was subsequently operated by Peters and Chambers'
last Soviet superior, Colonel Boris Bykov. In 1937, "Keith" was allowed
to return to open Communist Party work.
The activities of Chambers in connection with the Communist
underground apparatus in Washington, D. C., involved both organizational
functions and the collecting of intelligence. It is of a particular interest
to note that during this period of activity Peters attempted to make an
arrangement with the Soviet agent, "Bill" to sell the intelligence product
from Peters' Washington, D. C. , underground apparatus. "Bill" was
allegedly not interested in the proposition. However, a Soviet successor,
Colonel. Boris Bykov arranged through Chambers to take over the direct
operation of the better sources in this apparatus. These sources included
Communist Party members and sympathizers in the employ of the United
States Government.
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A review of these pertinent phases of J. Peters' activities
and certain activities closely related to Peters gives us some appreciation
of the scope and nature of the Party's relationship to Soviet Intelligence.
In this illustration we may clearly see that the role of the Communist
Party, USA,i.n Soviet Intelligence is not a hypothetical proposition, but
is a fact,
THE MARINE WORKER, BEN
A former Communist Party member, whom we shall call "Ben,
has supplied information relative to still other categories of assistance
given to Soviet Intelligence by Communists in the United States. This brief
example reveals that a Communist was utilized as a translator for conver-
sations between a Soviet agent and his new Communist Party recruit. This
case also illustrates a combination sabotage and, intelligence gathering
cooperation and again emphasizes the use of the Party and its sympathizers
as a recruiting ground for Soviet Intelligence.
In 1935, "Ben" was placed in contact with his first Soviet
superior. In view of the inability of this Soviet contact to speak English,
Fannie Folkoff, a Communist and the daughter of the previously mentioned
Isaac Folkoff, acted as an interpreter at meetings between "Ben" and his
Soviet contact. According to "Ben, " this Soviet asked him to set up an
apparatus in San Francisco which would operate in a campaign of terror
against Japanese, German, and Italian shipping.
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After a few meetings, this Soviet contact disappeared and he
was succeeded by a second Soviet, "Albert. " This second Soviet contact
instructed "Ben" to maintain contact with the Communist Party and the
marine workers in order that he might observe potential recruits for the
apparatus. During "Ben's" association with this apparatus, he occasionally
attended Communist Party meetings but paid no dues and did not openly
engage in Party organizational work. In February, 1938, "Ben" was sent
to Seattle, Washington, for the purpose of organizing a similar apparatus
for intelligence and sabotage purposes. In connection with this assignment,
"Ben" was given the status of organizer by the Party. He was not successful
in forming the second apparatus.
It may be of interest to note in connection with this operation
that Isaac Folkoff and Whittaker Chambers' contact, "Keith, " were
involved with another west coast Communist, John Loomis Sherman, in
operations directed against Japan during this approximate period.
HEDE MASSING
The professed espionage activities of Hede Massing, who
operated as a Soviet agent in the United States during the period October,
1933, to October, 1937, supply us with a different pattern for study, in
connection with the utilization of the Communist Party, USA, by the Soviet
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Intelligence services. Mrs. Massing was instructed by her Soviet contact,
prior to her arrival in the United States in 1933, to avoid contacts with
known Communists in the United States. After her arrival in the United
States, Mrs. Massing did not follow these instructions. Instead, she took
what appeared to be the path of least resistance and, accepted the cooperation
of her friends and acquaintances among the "Communist intellectuals. "
This provided her with the personal assurance of cooperation by the
General Secretary of the Communist Party, USA, and the utilization of
Party and the Party ideology for fraudulent papers and recruiting. This
case also illustrates the precedence given to Soviet Intelligence operations
over those of the Communist underground.
In order to clearly understand the seemingly spontaneous
cooperation afforded Mrs. Massing by the Communists in the United States,
one should consider certain points of Mrs. Massing's background. Mrs.
Massing was introduced into the Communist movements in Austria and
Germany by her first husband, Gerhart Eisler, who was identified as a
Comintern representative in the United States. Shortly after the arrival
of Mrs. Massing in the United States for her espionage assignment, Earl
Browder, General Secretary of the Communist Party, USA, contacted her,
in line with the request of Eisler, and offered his personal cooperation
and that of the Party.
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In addition to this entree, Mrs. Massing was already acquainted
with members and sympathizers of the Party in the United States. She
became acquainted with these individuals in connection with her previous
brief residence in the United States in 1926-1927 with her second husband,
Julian Gurnperz, whom she described as a well-known Communist. Finally,
her stature in the Communist movement was enhanced by her known
identification as the wife of the "anti-Nazi" writer, Paul Massing, who
was incarcerated in a Nazi concentration camp. These natural entrees
with the Communist movement in the United States, were recognized and
utilized by Mrs. Massing in connection with her Soviet espionage assignments
in the United States.
A short period after her arrival in the United States in October,
1933, Hede Massing was contacted by her Soviet superior, William Joseph
Berman. Mrs. Massing reported to Berman matters of interest appearing
in the New York City and Washington, D. C., newspapers. Her next Soviet
contact in the United States, "Bill Grinke, " was initiated in the latter part
of 1934. In early 1935, "Bill Grinke" asked Mrs. Massing for assistance in
getting some special birth certificates for his purposes. Mrs. Massing
advised that she suggested J. Peters, a Communist Party official, as the
best available source for the required birth certificates. According to Mrs.
Massing, "Bill" was reluctant to approach Peters inasmuch as he hesitated
to have any dealing whatever with the Communist Party in the United States.
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According to Mrs. Massing, she persuaded "Bill" that there was no other
way to accomplish this task and he, therefore, allowed her to contact
Peters. Mrs. Massing eventually received the desired birth certificates
from Peters and supplied them to "Bill. " This transaction is of interest
inasmuch as it was necessary for 'Bill, " representing a Soviet Intelligence
organization, to pay J. Peters, a cooperating Party representative, for
this service or the expense incurred in providing this service.
In May or June, 1935, "Bill's" supervision of Mrs. Massing
was supplemented by an additional Soviet, "Fred, " whom she identified
as Boris Bazarov. According to Mrs. Massing, she was then attempting
to develop as a source of information Nbel Field of the United States
Department of State. Mrs. Massing claims that the introduction to Field
was arranged through Marguerite Young, the Washington, D. C. ,
correspondent for the Daily Worker. In attempting to recruit Noel Field,
Mrs.. Massing did not disclose to Field her connection with a Soviet
Intelligence service but, instead, attempted to capitalize upon their
common sympathy for the Communist movement. In the early summer
of 1935, Field indicated to Mrs. Massing that another person was also
soliciting his services in a like manner to that of Mrs. Massing. According
to Mrs. Massing, a meeting with this person, Alger Hiss, was subsequently
held in the residence of Noel Field. Mrs. Massing advised that her Soviet
superior, "Fred" instructed her to forget her meeting with Hiss and not to
see him again.
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In connection with this particular incident, Whittaker Chambers
also has indicated that he had made attempts to draw Noel Field into his
apparatus but discovered that he was connected with another apparatus.
When Chambers reported the meeting of Alger Hiss with Noel Field to his
superior, J. Peters, Chambers was instructed by Peters to relinquish
Field to the Massing apparatus.
Another example of conflict in recruiting between the Peters
apparatus and the Massing apparatus occurred in connection with the
recruitment of Laurence Duggan in Washington, D. C. Again, after the
confusion subsided, the Soviet-directed apparatus of Massing held precedence
over the Communist underground apparatus of J. Peters. The preferential
position of the Soviet Intelligence operations over the Communist Party
operations is clearly illustrated by other examples cited elsewhere in
this study.
JACOB GOLOS - LOUIS FRANCIS BUDENZ - ELIZABETH BENTLEY
In considering the material presented to this point, it is apparent
that the role of the Communist Party, USA, in Soviet Intelligence activities
is not a product of chance. This role has been nurtured through the Soviet
domination of the American Party leadership through ideological and
organizational devices. However, there is still another consideration in
this role of the Communist Party, namely, its ability to produce in the
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intelligence field. We have seen in J. Peters, particularly, an illustration
of the adaptability of the Party's underground apparatus to Soviet Intelligence
operations. A comprehensive confirmation of this role of the Party may
be seen in the operations of Jacob Golos (Jacob Raisin), Louis Francis
Budenz, and Miss Elizabeth Bentley.
This illustration brings out the utilization of covertly financed
Communist Party enterprises by persons engaged in Soviet Intelligence
activities. In the following material we again see the Party apparatus
utilized in recruiting Soviet Intelligence agents and sources, both from the
low Party membership level and the national leadership. We have illustrated
a Party apparatus which was utilized in supplying information simultaneously
to Party leadership and Soviet Intelligence, the growing control over this
apparatus by Soviet Intelligence, and negotiations in regard to this and
related matters between the Party and Soviet Intelligence. The potential
of the Party in supplying fraudulent passports and mail drops is again
illustrated.
Jacob Golos World Tourists, Incorporated
World Tourists was incorporated in the County of New York on
June 10, 1927, with an authorized capital of $50, 000 for the stated purpose:
"to arrange and map out travel tours between the United States and foreign
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countries and in connection therewith prepare, buy, purchase and distribute
booklets and information rates, travelling facilities between the United
States and foreign countries. " A former official of World Tourists has
advised, however, that World Tourists was primarily formed by the Party
as a source of funds for the Party press. World Tourists subsequently
served as an instrumentality of Soviet Intelligence in connection with the
activities of Golds,
Jacob Golds, a native of Russia, was identified with Communist
activities in the United States in the early 1920's. During this period,
Golds also was actively assisting the Soviet Union through his activities
in the Society for Technical Aid to Soviet Russia. Golds was elected
Secretary of the Central Bureau of this organization located in New York
City during the course of a convention commencing June 23, 1923. At this
convention, the name of this organization was changed to the Society for
Technical Aid to the USSR. On December 5, 1923, Golds departed for
the Soviet Union as Secretary of this organization's Central Bureau to
make a report relative to organizational activities. This report was the
subject of a hearing conducted by the "Commission of Labor and Defense
on Immigration" in the Soviet Union.
The relationship of Golds with World Tourists, Incorporated,brings
forth some interesting factors for consideration. Golds has testified that he
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became president of World Tourists in 1932. Earl Browder, General
Secretary of the Party, allegedly certified on September 19, 1933, that
Golos had been authorized to do special work for the "Secretariat" and
was to be given every possible assistance. Of further interest, in regard
to Golos' connection with World Tourists, is the information supplied by
Miss Bentley, a former courier for Golos. According to Miss Bentley,
Browder advised her that World Tourists was wholly owned by Communist
Party funds but that Golos had commandeered this concern for his purposes.
Louis Francis Budenz - Jack Stachel
Louis Francis Budenz, former `editor of the Daily Worker and
Communist Party member, came into contact with Jacob Golos soon after
becoming a Party member in 1935. Golos was in contact with Budenz as
a member of the Party Control Commission to execute intra-Party
discipline and also in connection with the relationship of Budenz and Soviet
Intelligence.
In December, 1936, Budenz was called to the office of Jack
Stachel at Party Headquarters in New York City. As a result of the ensuing
conversation between Stachel, Golos and Budenz at that time, Budenz was
introduced to his first Soviet contact, "Richards. " According to Budenz,
"Richards" was interested in developing information concerning enemies
of the Soviet Union and solicited the assistance of Budenz in this connection.
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In addition to being involved in the arrangement whereby Budenz was placed
in contact with the Soviets and subsequently acting as a communication belt
between Budenz and a Soviet contact, Golos had, prior to the afore-
mentioned meeting, contacted Budenz to determine his potentiality as a
source of information relative to the Trotsky' movement.
Soviet Intelligence contacts of Budenz in the late -1930's included
"Roberts, " who was subsequently identified as Dr. Gregory Lvorich
Rabinovitch, official of the Russian Red Cross who was assigned to the
United States. Budenz has professed that while serving as a member of
the National Committee of the Communist Party, USA, he supplied
information and the identities of potential recruits, some from the
Communist Party, to his Soviet contact "Roberts. " Among these recruits
was Ruby Weil who subsequently became involved in the assassination of
Leon Trotsky in Mexico.
Miss Elizabeth Bentley and Louis Budenz knew Jacob Golos
as a member of the Party Control Commission during the period of their
Soviet Intelligence connections. At the time Jack Stachel initiated the steps
leading to the introduction of Budenz to his first Soviet contact, "Richards, "
Stachel was a member of the National Board of the Party. This example
clearly demonstrates close cooperation with Soviet Intelligence by national
officers of the Party while they also were performing their regular Party
duties.
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Elizabeth Bentley - Earl Browder
The operations of Jacob Golos and World Tourists, Incorporated,
are depicted in more detail in connection with the professed activities of
Miss Elizabeth Bentley. As a result of her indoctrination as a Communist
Party member, Miss Bentley became alarmed at information in the
possession of her employer, the Italian Library of Information in New York
City, and was of the opinion that this information should be made available
to Party leaders. In an effort to assist the Party, Miss Bentley took steps
in 1938 or 1939 to place herself in contact with a person at the National
Headquarters of the Party identified as "F. Brown. " "F. Brown, "better
known as Fbrruccio Marini, head of the Italian Section of the Communist
Party, USA, subsequently placed Miss Bentley in contact with Golos.
The early activities of Miss Bentley on behalf of Golos involved
various miscellaneous intelligence assignments, including the functioning
as a mail drop for certain communications from Canada. Meanwhile, Golos
was busy developing new intelligence sources, providing travel documents and
accommodations for covert Party purposes, and on one occasion was
contacted by a Soviet agent, who was not otherwise in contact with Golos,
for a fraudulent passport to facilitate the return of this Soviet agent to the
Soviet Union.-
In 1940, Golos and World Tourists, Incorporated, were convicted
of not registering as agents of the Soviet Government in the United States
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in connection with their activities on behalf of the Soviet principal, Intourist.
In order to isolate World Tourists, Incorporated, from a Soviet principal,
Golos with the assistance of Earl Browder, General Secretary of the Party,
organized the concern, United States Shipping and Service Corporation in
1941. This concern became the direct agent in the United States for the
Soviet principal., Intourist, and World Tourists, Incorporated, became a
subagent for United States Shipping and Service Corporation. Miss Bentley
became associated with this firm in an official capacity and used it as a cover
employment for her Communist and Soviet Intelligence activity.
The, core of Miss Bentley's subsequent operations revolved
around the contacts of Golos in U. S. Government circles in Washington, D. C.
In addition to collecting intelligence information from these sources, which
was passed on to Golos and then to the Soviets, Miss Bentley collected
Communist Party dues from several of these sources and supplied them
with Party literature. According to Miss Bentley, Party members involved
in intelligence activity should have been divorced from the Party; however,
Golos had made an arrangement with Earl Browder to continue these apparatus
members in a covert Party status. In addition, Miss Bentley indicated that
in the late summer or early fall of 1941, she began to realize that Jacob
Golos was making available to Earl Browder some of-the information
collected, prior to turning it over to Soviet Intelligence.
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Miss Bentley followed the policy of Golos in this regard when
site succeeded him after his death on November 25, 1943. Starting just
prior to the death of Golos and proceeding with increasing tempo, the
Soviet contacts of Golos and Miss Bentley demanded that their Washington, D. C.,
contacts be turned over to the direct operation of the Soviets. Backed by the
support of Earl Browder, General Secretary of the Communist Party, USA,
Golos and Miss Bentley for a time succeeded in retaining control of their
contacts. In December, 1944, after Browder would no longer support her
position of retaining these contacts, Miss Bentley made the necessary
arrangements for turning over her contacts to a new Soviet agent. In addition
to her duties relative to the collection of information for her Soviet Intelligence
contacts, subsequent to the death of Jacob Golos, she served as liaison between
her Soviet Intelligence contacts and Earl Browder, General Secretary of the
Communist Party.
Miss Bentley has provided some interesting and pertinent
illustrations of this relationship. On one occasion, Miss Bentley's Soviet
Intelligence superior, "Jack, " requested her to discuss with Browder the
possibility of setting up a cover company to serve as a front for the activities
of an unidentified Soviet agent. On another occasion "Jack" was concerned
with a young man who was about to be inducted into the armed forces of the
United States. "Jack" wanted Browder to effect'the entrance of this individual
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into the merchant marine. On still other occasions, Miss Bentley was in
contact with Browder on behalf of her Soviet contact, "Al," Anatoli
Borisovich Gromov, First Secretary of the Soviet Embassy, relative to
the disposition of the cover concerns, World Tourists, Incorporated, and
the United States Shipping and Service Corporation, and the resulting
financial settlements.
This story of Jacob Golos presents a "packaged" illustration
of the Party's role in Soviet Intelligence with illuminating ramifications of
background, organization, and direction.
JULIUS AND ETHEL ROSENBERG - MORTON SOBELL
While Elizabeth Bentley's Soviet contacts were in the final stages
of assuming direct control over her Communist apparatus, other Communists,
Julius Rosenberg, and his wife, Ethel, were busy developing or attempting
to develop additional intelligence sources among persons deemed sympathetic
to Communism. The following material illustrates the continued utilization
of the Party as a source of recruitment for Soviet Intelligence; however, this
material also interposes the question: "Have more recent factors dictated
a change in this historic role of the Communist Party in Soviet Intelligence ?
Julius and Ethel Rosenberg - David Greenglass
Julius Rosenberg has been identified as being a member of the
Young Communist League and the Communist Party. Ethel Rosenberg was
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also a member of the Communist Party. It would appear from the following
information that Julius Rosenberg was so indoctrinated by his experience
in the Communist Party that he had taken the initiative to place himself
in contact with Soviet Intelligence in order that he might be of direct
assistance to the Soviet Union. This type of conditioning by the Party
certainly simplifies the recruiting by Soviet Intelligence.
David Greenglass, brother-in-law of Julius Rosenberg and an
admitted coconspirator in Soviet espionage activities, has supplied some
pertinent details relative to his involvement in Soviet espionage activities.
Greenglass has stated that he participated in discussions concerning
political matters with his sister, Ethel Rosenberg, and her husband,
Julius Rosenberg, during the period 1935 to 1945 or 1946. According to
Greenglass, the Rosenbergs indicated a preference for "Russian Socialism. "
The original approach relative to the involvement of Greenglass
in Soviet espionage was initiated by Julius and Ethel Rosenberg through
Ruth Greenglass, the wife of David Greenglass. Just prior to November, 1944,
on the occasion of a visit of Ruth Greenglass to the residence of the Rosenbergs,
the attempt to recruit David Greenglass was initiated. During the course of
the conversation on this occasion, Ethel Rosenberg indicated that she was no
longer involved in Communist Party activity, that she did not attend Party
meetings, and that she did not buy the Daily Worker at her usual newsstand.
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The Rosenbergs elaborated by stating that these circumstances were
occasioned by the activity of Julius Rosenberg, supplying information to
the Soviet Union. Also on this occasion, Julius Rosenberg advised Ruth
Greenglass that her husband, David Greenglass, was working on the atomic
bomb project at Los Alamos, New Mexico, a fact heretofore unknown to
Ruth and David Greenglass. In this connection, Julius Rosenberg stated
that he wanted David Greenglass to supply information, relative to this
project, to the Russians and asked Ruth Greenglass to convey this request
to her husband.
On the occasion of a visit made by Ruth Greenglass with David
Greenglass in November, 1944, at Albuquerque, New Mexico, Ruth
Greenglass relayed the request of the Rosenbergs. David Greenglass
agreed to submit to this request and, in addition, supplied information
available to him at that time to his wife, which she was to transmit to
Julius Rosenberg upon her return to New York City. David Greenglass
visited the Julius Rosenbergs in January, 1945, and supplied Julius with
atomic data in his possession, as well as names of possible recruits for
Soviet espionage activities. According to Greenglass, Julius Rosenberg
had indicated previously that he wanted a list of people who seemed sympathetic
to Communism and would help furnish information to the Russians.
During the course of this visit to New York City, Julius Rosenberg
arranged with Greenglass tentative plans for future contacts with Greenglass
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in New Mexico. The arrangements made at this time were subsequently
consummated when Harry Gold, a professed Soviet espionage agent,
contacted Greenglass in New Mexico for atomic data. Harry Gold has
admitted collecting atomic data from Greenglass in accordance with
instructions from his Soviet espionage superior, Anatoli Antonovich
Yakovlev, who held the positions of clerk and vice consul at the Soviet
Consulate in New York City during the period of February 8, 1941,to
December 27, 1946.
Morton Sobell - Max Elitcher
The espionage conspiracy of the Rosenbergs also included
Morton Sobell, a Communist Party member. Max Elitcher, an employee
at the United States Navy Ordnance Bureau, Washington, D. C., during
the period 1938 to late 1948, has stated that Morton Sobell introduced him
to his first Communist Party meeting. Subsequently, Elitcher and Sobell
attended meetings of the Communist Party cell formed in this naval
establishment at which the Daily Worker was read and the theories of
Karl Marx and V. 1. Lenin were discussed. While so employed by this
naval establishment, Elitcher was solicited by Sobell and Julius Rosenberg
for information coming to his attention in connection with this employment.
Of particular interest were the requests of Sobell for the names
of potential recruits. According to Elitcher, Sobell made these requests
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during the course of Elitcher's employment at the naval establishment and
also in 1949, when Elitcher was employed by the Reeves Instrument Company
in New York City. On the occasion of Sobell's request for recruitment in
1949, Sobell told Elitcher that, in view of the increased security measures
being taken by "the government, " it was necessary to recruit young engineers
for this work who were just starting engineering school and who had not as
yet become involved in any "progressive" activity. This statement of Sobell
illustrates another variation in recruitment. In this illustration Max Elitcher,
a person who was deemed to be ideologically sound, was expected to suggest
for recruitment into Soviet, Intelligence persons not identified with the Party's
store of potential ideological recruits.
CURRENT ROLE Or THE COMMUNIST PARTY USA
In view of the information developed in this study, it is apparent
that the potentialities of the Communist Party, USA, have been recognized and
utilized by Soviet Intelligence. It should he noted, however, that this Party
cooperation has not been unreservedly accepted in connection with Soviet
Intelligence operations.
In 1929, Richard Sorge, a Soviet Agent, recognized the threat
to- his operational security occasioned by his Party activities-and made his
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views known to the Comintern. In connection with the subsequent espionage
operations of the Sorge network in Japan, members of this network were
strictly forbidden to become Involved in local Party activities. The reluctance
of Soviet Intelligence to become identified with the Communist Party, USA,
also is illustrated in the preceding pages of this study.
In connection with this study another factor should be given con-
sideration, viz., the many Soviet Intelligence operations, not within the purview
of this study, in which the potentialities of the Party were not utilized. This
factor may be considered by some as an indication of opposition or limitations
applied to the utilization of the Party by Soviet Intelligence.
The daily developments determined by constant security and counter-
Intelligence investigations make impossible any conclusive appraisal regarding
the scope of the Party's role in Soviet Intelligence today. There is no con-
clusive indication that the Communist Party, USA, is playing an important role
in this regard at this time. This possible modification of the Party`s. role may
be due to several factors which have developed or crystallized in recent years.
Such important defections as Elizabeth Bentley and. Igor Gouzenko, the Soviet
code clerk assigned to Canada, certainly have given the Soviets cause to question
the security of Party cooperation with Soviet Intelligence in the United States
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and 'Canada. Another factor in this category may be the recent trials and
convictions of Communist Party, USA, leadership which revealed through
Government witnesses a decided penetratiorX', of the Party's security. This
theme may be referred to in the previously noted statement attributed to
Morton Sobell which indicated that due to increased security measures being
taken by "the government" it was necessary to recruit persons for Soviet
Intelligence who were not involved in any "progressive. activity.
This statement attributed to Sobell deserves some appraisal. If
credence is given to Sobel].?s statement, it would appear that the functioning
of Government security, during the approximate period of this statement, was
successful in driving at least a partial wedge into the historic pattern of
cooperation between the Party and Soviet Intelligence. Carrying this note of
optimism another step for appraisal, the question could be asked: "'Will it be
possible to sustain or enlarge any wedge existing in this pattern of cooperation?"
Efforts to achieve the objective in question are currently becoming
increasingly difficult in view of the growing underground complexion of Party
activities. The disappearing physical evidences of Party membership, the
decentralization of the functioning Party organization, increasing Party
discipline and security measures and the organized underground apparatus
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of "hard core" members present a maze of difficulties to security and
counterintelligence investigations. This, in the absence of other factors,
may make more attractive to Soviet Intelligence the continued cooperation
of the Communist Party, USA, in connection with the operations of Soviet
Intelligence in the United States.
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CONCLUSION
Some former Communist Party members who were engaged in
Soviet Intelligence activities in the United States have recorded for public
appraisal certain pertinent information and -thoughts relative to the role
of the Communist Party, USA, in Soviet Intelligence. Several of the
more illuminating statements are quoted as follows:
"Faced with the opportunity of espionage, a Communist,
although he may sometimes: hesitate momentarily, will
always, exactly to the degree that he is a Communist,
engage in espionage.,.. (11)
"Out of my experiences of ten years in Communist
leadership, I hope... to make the American people
understand the extent and character of the Communist
conspiracy for world conquest.... "
"I want to show beyond question that the Communist
party is not a political party in the American or
democratic sense, but solely a fifth column of the
Kremlin. " (12)
Miss Elizabeth Bentley attributed the following quotation to
her last Soviet Intelligence superior, Anatoli Borisovich Gromov, First
Secretary of the Soviet Embassy, Washington, D. C.:
11. Whittaker Chambers, Witness (Random House, Inc. , New York, 1952),
p. 420.
12. Louis Francis Budenz, Men Without Faces (Harper and Brothers,
New York, 1950),pp. xi, xii.
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"'The Soviet Union is in a bad position in regard to finding
undercover agents... Of course, we can always buy people--
and we do when necessary--but it is better to have people
with the right ideology. That's the function of the American
Communist Party; it's the reservoir from which we draw
most of our agents.,.. ;"111,(13)
As may be seen from the illustrated cases, the categories of
cooperation between the Communist Party, USA, and Soviet Intelligence
are numerous and complex. The cases cited by no means include all
categories or potential categories of cooperation in this regard. In view
of the information developed, it would appear that the scope of the Party's
utilization by Soviet Intelligence would be limited only to the potentialities
of the Communist Party organization, its membership, its dupes, and its
sympathizers.
The role of the Communist Party, USA, in Soviet Intelligence
may vary according to both domestic and international developments just
as other Party tactics vary to conform with strategy. This continuing
threat of the Communist Party, USA, in the Soviet Intelligence field will
continue to be most successfully exposed and neutralized by vigorous and
skilled security and counterintelligence investigations.
13. Elizabeth Bentley, Out of Bondage (The Devin-Adair Company, 1951),
p. 257.
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Ap,, , IEas4 MFJS WAT-" IQ~0E080001-0
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