Lord Russell Says Russians Want New ‘doctors’ Trial’ in Prague for Two Jews

The British philosopher Bertrand Russell said in a letter to the London Times today that he had confirmation of Soviet demands that Czechoslovakia stage anti-Semitic “show trials” along the lines of the “Doctors’ Plot” trials in the USSR during the Stalin era. Lord Russell, who has frequently defended Soviet policies in the past, said the Russians want the trials in order to conceal the lack of support for their intervention in Czechoslovakia and to divert the anger of the people in Czechoslovakia and abroad. He appealed to Communists and Socialists all over the world to “resolutely oppose these demands.”

Lord Russell said that the Russians wanted to put two prominent Czechoslovak Jews on trial Frantisek Kriegel, an associate of Czechoslovak Communist leader Alexander Dubcek. and Dr. Eduard Goldsteucker, chairman of the Czechoslovak Writers Union. Dr. Goldsteucker is reported to have left Czechoslovakia following the occupation.

The famed philosopher noted in his letter that he had been criticized as an alarmist when he appealed to Soviet Premier Alexei Kosygin last July 21 to declare publicly that the Soviet Union had no intention of using military force in Czechoslovakia. Now, he said. “I have good reason to confirm, because I have it on excellent authority that the Soviet Union, in its determination to stop reforms and to hide its lack of support by diverting the anger of the people both in Czechoslovakia and abroad, is pressing for a trial in the classic Stalinist tradition of the ‘Doctors’ Plot.’ I appeal with all the gravity at my command to Socialists and Communists throughout the world to resolutely oppose these Soviet demands.”