Investigation of Communist activities in Seattle, Wash., area. Hearings, Part 3

by United States. Congress. House. Committee on Un-American Activities

Mr. Tavenner. I have before me the January 8, 1938, issue of the Daily Worker carrying an article entitled “‘I Am for the Loyalists and China,’ Police Captain Declares at Lincoln Vets Trial.” The last paragraph of this article states as follows:

A dinner in honor of Robert Raven was given by the friends of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade last night at the Aldine Club, 200 Fifth Avenue. Congressman John T. Bernard, Farmer-Laborite of Minnesota, paid tribute to the heroic death of Raven, and gave some account of his experiences while visiting Spanish battle-grounds with Jerry O’Connell, Congressman of Montana. Other speakers were Steve Nelson. * * *

Did you accompany John T. Bernard to the Spanish battlefields?

Mr. O’Connell. Yes, sir.

Mr. Tavenner. When were you in Spain and for what period of time?

Mr. O’Connell. You are really getting into ancient history. My best recollection was that we were in Spain, I would say sometime in the month of October 1938 or maybe the latter part of October or early November 1938, somewhere in that period.

Mr. Tavenner. How long were you there?

Mr. O’Connell. I would say about 3 weeks.

Mr. Tavenner. As part of your experience there, did you and Mr. Bernard take part in the review of the American Brigade, Anglo-American Brigade, on the occasion of the celebration of the anniversary of the Russian Revolution? Do you recall reviewing the troops?

Mr. O’Connell. I remember reviewing the troops but not in connection with any celebration of the Russian Revolution. As I remember, the only troops we reviewed were troops that came up when there was a change of command. The command of the brigade was to be taken over by somebody, I can’t remember who they were now, but certainly not in connection with any celebration of the Soviet Revolution. At least I certainly was not informed that that was the case. I had been active, while I was a Member of Congress, before I went to Spain I was very decidedly and very specifically on the side of the Spanish Republic, I did everything I could to promote American policy to help and to aid the Spanish Loyalists. They were the legally elected government of Spain, they were being attacked by Hitler and Mussolini as I saw it, and in my opinion it was the beginning, in fact the first battlefield of World War II.