Soviet Condemned in U.S. Senate for Death Sentences at Moscow Trial

Reports of the death sentences imposed in a secret Moscow trial against a number of persons charged with “economic crimes”–seven of them Jews–were received with shock in Washington.

The matter was raised on the floor of the Senate where Senator Jacob Javits, New York Republican, called for stronger and more vigorous protest to let the world know how the American public feels about such “barbarous acts.” The Senator declared that “the news shuddered the world which cannot let it go unnoticed.” He reviewed the history of recent Soviet persecution of Jews saying that “this makes it clear what the aims of the Moscow Government are in this field.”

Senator Kenneth Keating, New York Republican, told the Senate: “It is a barbaric manifestation of economic and moral values that as many as nine persons have been sentenced to death for participation in private enterprises. Undoubtedly harsh Soviet action against those who engage in any form of private economic activity is a deliberate attempt to encourage anti-Semitism in the Soviet Union.”

Congressman Abraham Multer, New York Democrat, declared today that the report on the recent Soviet action will be presented when the House Committee on Foreign Affairs begins debate on the current resolution condemning the Soviet policy on Russian Jews. Meanwhile, Congressman Multer also presented to the House a unanimous resolution adopted by the New York Democratic Congressional delegation urging the Foreign Affairs Committee to schedule hearings on the resolution and pledging full support for it. Congressman Multer urged the Committee to act speedily and present the resolution for House adoption.