Communist espionage in the United States; testimony of Frantisek Tisler, former military and air attaché, Czechoslovak Embassy in Washington, D.C

HARVARD COLLEGE
LIBRARY

GIFT OF THE

GOVERNMENT
OF THE UNITED STATES

us Doc 2.791

Connnittee on Un-American Activities
House
86th Congress

Table of Contents

(Since these hearings are consecutively paged
they are arranged by page nijmber, instead of
alphabetically by title)

1. Communist Espionage in the United States ^\^^

\, 0 2. Testimony of Anthony Krchmarek and Charles Musil ■\i^^

3. Commimist Activities Among Seamen and on 'S\Si
Waterfront Facilities, pt.l

k. Communist Penetration of Radio Facilities, pt.l V^*^

5. Testimony of Captain Nikolai Fedorovich t\^^
Artamonov

6-9. The Northern California District of the )l>2
Communist Party. Structure - Objectives -
Leadership . pt . l-k

X .i.....J3 iisi;.

I COMMUNIST ESPIONAGE IN THE UNITED STATES

TESTIMONY OF FRANTISEK TISLER

Former Military and Air Attache, Czechoslovak Embassy in

Washington, D.C.

HEARING

BEFORE THE

COMMITTEE ON UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES
HOUSE OE REPRESENTATIVES

EIGHTY-SIXTH CONGRESS

SECOND SESSION

RELEASED MAY 10, 1960

Priated for the use of the Committee on Uu-Americau Activities

INCLUDING INDEX

/^HARVARD^

/UNIVERSITY

LIBRARY

UNITED STATES
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
Mo27» WASHINGTON : 19G0

COMMITTEE ON UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES

United States House of Repeesentatives

FEANCIS E. WALTEE, Pennsylvania, Chairman
MORGAN M. MOULDER, Missouri DONALD L. JACKSON, Califomia

CLYDE DOYLE, Califomia GORDON H. SCIIERER, Ohio

EDWIN E. WILLIS, Louisiana WILLIAM E. MILLER, New York

WILLIAM M. TUCK, Virginia AUGUST E. JOIIANSEN, MlchigaD

RicnARD Arkns, Staff Director

n

CONTENTS

Page

Testimony of Frantisek Tisler 1723

Index i

III

Public Law 601, 79th Congress

The legislation under which the House Committee on Un-American
Activities operates is Public Law 601, 79th Congress [1946], chapter
753, 2d session, which provides:

Be it enacted by the Senate and House oj Representatives oj the United Slates
oj America in Congress assembled, * * *

PART 2— RULES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Rule X

8EC. 121. STANDJNn COMMITTEES
***«>!<*«

17. Committee on Un-American Activities, to consist of nine Members.

Rule XI

POWERS AND DUTIES OF COMMITTEES

(q) (1) Committee on Un-American Activities.

(A) Un-American activities.

(2) Tlie Committee on Un-American Activities, as a whole or by subcommit-
tee, is authorized to malve from time to time investigations of (i) the extent,
character, and objects of un-American propaganda activities in the United States,
(ii) the diffusion within the United States of subversive and un-American propa-
ganda that is instigated from foreign countries or of a domestic origin and attacks
the principle of the form of government as guaranteed by our Constitution, and
(iii) all other questions in relation thereto that would aid Congress in any necessary
remedial legislation.

The Committee on Un-American Activities shall report to the House (or to the
Clerk of the House if the House is not in session) the results of any such investi-
gation, together with such recommendations as it deems advisable.

For the purpose of any such investigation, the Committee on Un-American
Activities, or any subcommittee thereof, is authorized to sit and act at such
times and places within the United States, whether or not the House is sitting,
has recessed, or has adjourned, to hold such hearings, to require the attendance
of such witnesses and the production of such books, papers, and documents, and
to take such testimony, as it deems necessary. Subpenas may be issued under
the signature of the chairman of the committee or any subcommittee, or by any
member designated by any such chairman, and may be served by any person
designated by any such chairman or member.

*******

Rule XII

LEGISLATIVE OVERSIGHT BY STANDING COMMITTEES

Sec. 136. To assist the Congress in appraising the administration of the laws
and in developing such amendments or related legislation as it may deem neces-
sary, each standing committee of the Senate and the House of Representatives
shall exercise continuous watchfulness of the execution by the administrative
agencies concerned of any laws, the subject matter of which is within the jurisdic-
tion of such committee; and, for that purpose, shall study all pertinent reports
and data submitted to the Congress by the agencies in the executive branch of
the Government.

RULES ADOPTED BY THE 86TH CONGRESS

House Resolution 7, January 7, 1959

• **«**•

Rule X

STANDING COMMITTEES

1. There shall be elected by the House, at the commencement of each Uon
gress,

* * * * * 0 0

(q) Committee on Un-American Activities, to consist of nine Members,

Rule XI

POWERS AND DUTIES OF COMMITTEES
*******

18. Committee on Un-American Activities.

(a) Un-American activities.

(b) The Committee on Un-American Activities, as a whole or by subcommittee,
is authorized to make from time to time investigations of (1) the extent, char-
acter, and objects of un-American propaganda activities in the United States,
(2) the diffusion within the United States of subversive and un-American prop-
aganda that is instigated from foreign countries or of a domestic origin and
attacks the principle of the form of government as guaranteed by our Constitu-
tion, and (3) all other questions in relation thereto that would aid Congress
in any necessary remedial legislation.

The Committee on Un-American Activities shall report to the House (or to the
Clerk of the House if the House is not in session) the results of any such investi-
gation, together with such recommendations as it deems advisable.

For the purpose of any such investigation, the Committee on Un-American
Activities, or any subcommittee thereof, is authorized to sit and act at such times
and places within the United States, whether or not the House is sitting, has
recessed, or has adjourned, to hold such hearings, to require the attendance
of such witnesses and the production of such books, papers, and documents, and
to take such testimony, as it deems necessary. Subpenas may be issued under
the signature of the chairman of the committee or any subcommittee, or by any
member designated by any such chairman, and may be served by any person
designated by any such chairman or member.

26. To assist the House in appraising the administration of the laws and in
developing such amendments or related legislation as it may deem necessary,
each standing committee of the House shall exercise continuous watchfulness
of the execution by the administrative agencies concerned of any laws, the subject
matter of which Is within the jurisdiction of such committee; and, for that
purpose, shall study all pertinent reports and data submitted to the House by
the agencies in the executive branch of the Government.

COMMUNIST ESPI0XA(;E in the INITEI) STATES

Testimony of Frantisek Tisler, Former Military and Air
Attache, Czechoslovak Embassy in Washington, D. C.

UxiTED States House of Representatives,

Committee on Un-American Activities,

Washington, D.C.
The coinmittee met in executive session piu'siiant to call, Hon-
orable Francis E. WaUer, chairman, presiding.

Coinmittee members present: Representatives Francis E. WaUer
of Pennsylvania and Gordon H. Scherer of Ohio.

Staff members present: Richard Ai-ens, staff director, and Donald T.
Appell, investigator.

Tlie Chairman. May we come to order.

"Will you raise j'our right hand, please? Do you swear the testi-
mony you are about to give in the matter now pending will be the
truth, "the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?
Mr. Tisler. I do.

TESTIMONY OF FRANTISEK TISLER, FORMER MILITARY AND AIR
ATTACHE, CZECHOSLOVAK EMBASSY, WASHINGTON, D.C.

The Chairman. I^et the record show that this particular hearing
is being held at a time and place which cannot be revealed on the
record.

Proceed, Mr, Arens.

Mr. Arens. Khidly identify j'ourself by name, date and place of
bu'th, and previous occupational specialty'.

Mr. Tisler. I am Frantisek Tisler and I was born on tlie 13th of
December 1924 in Temehn, Czeclioslovakia. Temelin is located in
the district of Tyn nad Vltavou in southern Bohemia, and at the time
of my youth this was a rural agricultural area. Prior to the 25th
of July 1959 my last position was that of Military and Air Attache
at the Czechoslovak Embassy in Washington, D.'C. As a result of
my overt duties as military and air attache, I held the rank of
heutenant colonel in the Czechoslovak Army. In addition to my
duties as military and air attache, I was the chief of the Czechoslovak
Military Intelligence Directorate Residentura, which had its liead-
quarters at the Czechoslovak Embassy in Washington, D.C, from
wliich I defected in July 1959.

Mr. Arens. Off the record.

I Discussion off the record.)

Mr. Arens. In other words. Colonel Tisler, you were both a
professional army officer and an intelligence officer prior to the time
of your defection?

^Ir. Tisler. Yes, that is correct.

Mr. Arens. Would you please furnish us with a synopsis of your
educational background?

Mr, Tisler, I attended an elementaiy school for 5 years in
Temelin and then entered the Jursikovo Gjannasiuin in Ceske Bude-

1723

1724 COMMUNIST ESPIONAGE IN THE UNITED STATES

jovice. After 1938 I continued my gymnasium education at the
Jiraskovo Gj^mnasium in Prague. I obtained a matura from this
gymnasium in 1943. After I obtained my matura I attempted to
enter a number of commercial art schools but was unable to do so, as
a result of a law which the German occupation forces in Czechoslovakia
had issued and which stated that no individual who was born in 1924
could continue schooling beyond the matura level.

This directive by the Germans decreed that all such individuals
must work rather than attend school. As a result, my education was
interrupted until July 1945. I entered the commercial college
(Vysoka Skola Obchodni) in Prague in July 1945, but in view of finan-
cial difficulties as well as the extremely crowded conditions which
prevailed at this school at that time, I was forced to discontinue
attendance. In October 1945, I was admitted to the philosophic
faculty of Charles University in Prague. I studied at Charles Uni-
versity until 1947, but finally withdrew from the university prior to tlie
beginning of the fall semester of 1947, due to financial and family
considerations.

When I did not return to Charles University for the fall semester,
I was subsequently drafted into the Czechoslovak Army on October
1, 1947. In November 1947 I was assigned to a reserve officers'
school at Klatovy, and I stayed at this school until May 1948. In
October 1948 I entered the regular infantry officers' school at Hranice,
and I subsequently graduated from this school in August 1949, with
the rank of 2d lieutenant. At the time that I attended this school,
it was known as the Military Academy (Vojenska Akademie). In
October 1951 I started to attend the Military Staff Scliool (Vojenska
Akademie Klementa Gottvalda) located in Prague. I graduated from
this Military Staff School in July 1954, and this represented the com-
pletion of my formal training as an army officer. I subsequently
received additional training but this was specialized training for my
activities as a military intelligence officer.

Mr. Arens. If you don't mind, Colonel Tisler, we would prefer to
return to your training as a military intelligence officer at a later
portion of this session.

Air. Tisler. I understand.

Mr. Arens. It would be appreciated if you would outline briefly
your family background.

Mr. Tisler. My father is still residing in Czechoslovakia, and he
is retired due to a bone disease and serious heart condition. My
father was a tailor by profession. My mother is also living in Czecho-
slovakia at the present time, and she is a maternity nm'se by profes-
sion, although to the best of my knowledge she is no longer working,
because she has to spend most of her time taking care of my father.
I have a brother who is also residing in Czechoslovakia at the present
time, but he too sufl'ers from a physical disability which he obtained
as a result of working in the northern Bohemian coal mines. He is
also retired. I have a sister who is also in Czechoslovakia and, as
far as I know, she is employed in the Ministry of Internal Trade.

Mr. Arens. Would you mind telling us, Colonel, if you are married
and if you have any children?

Mr. Tisler. Yes, I am married and my wife, Adela Tisler, nee
Machacek, born March 27, 1926, at Jihlava, is a well-known amateur
athlete. In the years 1947, 1948, 1954, and 1955 she was the women's
champion of Czechoslovakia in the shotput. In 1956 my wife was

COMMUNIST ESPIONAGE IN THE UNITED STATES 1725

awarded the title Master of Sport by the Czechoslovak Government.
We have been fortunate enoughjto have children, and these children
are with us in the United States.

Mr. Arens. Please give us a brief synopsis of your wartime activi-
ties at the time that Czechoslovakia was under German occupation.

Mr. TisLER. As of September 1943 I was assigned by the labor
office to work at the Czccli Moravian Machine Company in Prague,
Holesovice. After this I was assigned to forced labor tasks in Vienna,
Austria, and I arrived in Austria around February 1944. In the
period November to December 1944, 1 was assigned to digging trendies
at Kittsee near Bratislava. In late December 1944, I was assigned to
a work project at Zdice in Bohemia. I worked in Zdice until Feb-
ruary 14, 1945, and when I tieard that the Americans were bombing
Prague, I left Zdice without permission and returned to Prague. I
stayed in Prague until March 1945, and then was assigned to work in
a lumber camp in tlie forest area of Doubravka near the city of
Cerlienice, Bohemia.

In April 1945 1 left this work again without permission and returned
to Prague. In tlie early days of May 1945 there was a great deal of
sporadic resistance to the Germans, and I joined a group of sucli
resistance fighters. Our resistance activity was short-lived and did
not last more than five or six days, because the Germans capitulated
at tliis time and the war was over.

That represents a brief summary of my life during the major portion
of the German occupation of Czechoslovakia.

Mr. Akens. Would you briefly tell us now about your military
career up to the time that you received training as an intelligence
officer?

Mr. TiSLER. As I previously mentioned, I entered the army as a
draftee on October 1, 1947. My basic training lasted until November
15, 1947, at which time I was selected to attend the reserve officers'
school at Klatovy. I attended this school until mid-May 1948, and
while I was at this school, I was promoted to the rank of corporal in
December 1947. I was subsequently promoted to sergeant in Febru-
ary 1948. I received field training at Boletice from May to June 1948,
and then my next significant assignment was the army airborne train-
ing center at Straz pod Ralskem near Ceska Lipa. I attended another
school there, and then entered the regular infantry officers' school at
Hranice on October 5, 1948. I graduated from Hranice on August
17, 1949, with the rank of 2d lieutenant. I was then assigned to the
regular infantry officers' school at Hranice as an instructor. It was
about this time that the school moved from Hranice to Lipnik nad
Becvou. While I was at the infantry school, I taught infantry tactics
and supervised a platoon of students.

In March 1950 I was transferred to an airborne battalion and as-
sumed the responsibilities of a company commander. In July 1950
I became a staff assistant to the mobilization officer of this airborne
battalion. In October 1950 I was transferred to the airborne com-
mand in Prague, and I was stationed in the Ministry of National De-
fense building in Prague.

In October 1951 I was assigned to the Military Staff School in
Prague. I attended the Faculty of General Tactics at this school,
and while I was at the school I was promoted to 1st lieutenant in
November 1951, and in late 1953 I was promoted to captain. After

64527°— 60 2

1726 COMMUNIST ESPIONAGE IN THE UNITED STATES

my graduation from the Military Stafl' School in July 1954, 1 requested
an assignment in Prague in operations or intelligence.

That summarizes my military career prior to the time that I
became involved in intelligence activities.

Mr. Ahexs. Were 3^ou ever a member of the Czechoslovak Com-
munist Party?

Mr. TisLER. Yes, I was a member of the Czechoslovak Communist
Party from April 2, 1946, until my defection in July 1959,

Mr. Arens. Are you still an ideological believer in communism?

Mr. TisLER. No. I have not been an ideological believer in
communism for a long period of time, although in the early days of
my association with the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia I was
an ideological believer.

Mr. A KENS, Colonel Tisler, would you outline for us briefly why
you joined the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia and how it came
to pass that you became disillusioned with the party?

Air. Tisler. In October 1945 I joined the Czechoslovak National
Socialist Party, and I was a member of that party until March 1946.
My association with this particular political group convinced me that
the policies and ideals of this party were without purpose. I was
also convinced that this w^as a stagnant party which had no future,
since this party was formed during the period of the Austro-Hungarian
empire, and its original goal was the establishment of an independent
Czechoslovak state. When this party was founded it was an aggres-
sive and progressive party.

After Czechoslovakia became an independent state, the National
Socialist Party lost its aggressiveness. As far as the people of my age
in 1945 and 1946 were concerned, the National Socialist Party was
too conservative and old-fashioned, and it did not have any real
popular appeal. As a result of these factors, I resigned from the
National Socialist Party. At about this same time I became interested
in communism, because it appeared to me that the Communist Party
of Czechoslovakia was the only Czechoslovak party which offered a
bold and aggi*essive plan for the reconstruction of Czechoslovakia
after World War II. At that time I was in many waj^s politically
naive, and I did not appreciate the fact that the Communist Party of
Czechoslovakia was, in reality, subservient to the Communist Party
of the Soviet Union and, as such, was really a vehicle through which
the influences of Soviet imperialism were being spread throughout
Eastern Europe.

I joined the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia on April 2, 1946,
and in view of my membership in the party prior to the coup of Febru-
ary 1948, I was considered in subsequent years to be an old ardent
Communist. My initial disillusionment with communism in practice
began to take place while I was attending the Military Staft" School in
Prague. It was at this school that I witnessed many incidents which
proved to me that communism in practice was greatly different from
theoretical communism.

I was exposed to numerous incidents where members of the Com-
munist Party who were high ranking officers in the army took ad-
vantage of their position in oi'der to obtain personal advantages and
job security. It was at this time that I began to see what Djilas
subsequently pointed out in his book as the development of the
new class. The disillusionment which set in as a result of the excesses
which v.-ore perpetrated by the so-called new class within the Com-
munist Party began to shatter my faith in Marxism-Leninism. The

COMMUNIST ESPIONAGE IN THE UNITED STATES 1727

<loubts wliicli I had bociimo slroiipior as a result of tlio 1952 Slansky
trials, wliicli rosultotl in a blood i)iirg(' witliiii llu> Cz(>clioslovak i)arty.
The subsoquont rehabilitation of indiviiluals like Kajk in Hungary
and Gonuilka in l^oland and the lack of an admission by the Com-
munist I'arty of Czechoslovakia that the Slansky trials were a fraud
furthered my disillusionment. These items, plus the denigration of
Stalin and the power struggle which resulted in the Soviet Union
after Stalin's death, also contributed to my disillusionment.

The (inal factor, however, which led to my decision to break with
communism was the fact that after I came to the United States in
August 1955, I began to sec for myself that communism as practiced
in Czechoslovakia had misrepresented the true facts about the free
world. The longer I stayed in the United States the better I was
jihle to com incc myself that if an individual was interested in freedom,
human dignity, and life without terror, this could only be obtained
in the free world. As a result I decided to remain in the United
States and, as you Iviiow, I broke my ties with Czechoslovakia on
July 25, 1959.

Afr. AiiExNfs. What was the essence of the training wdiich you
received as a military intelligence officer prior to the time that you
arrived in the United States?

Mr. TisLER. I was assigned to the Military Intelligence Direc-
torate of the Czechoslovak General Staff, Ministry of National
Defense, in November 1954. In December 1954 I started an intelli-
gence training course in the vicinity of Mnichovice near Prague.
This course lasted until March 1955.

Mr. Akens. Wliat are the responsibilities of the Military Intelli-
gence Directorate?

Mr. TisLER. The Czechoslovak Military Intelligence Directorate
is a positive intelligence service which is responsible for the overt
and covert collection of information of a military nature concerning
the armed forces, industrial and economic resources, and the political
s^'stcms of potential enemies of Czechoslovakia.
^ Mr. Arens. Wliat type of training did you receive at the intelli-
gence school which j^ou attended?

Mr. TisLEu. The training emphasized items such as security, the
use of cover, techniques for recruiting agents in the countries of the
free world, the use of secret ^vriting, codes, and all of the other tech-
niques which are connected with covert military intelligence opera-
tions and which we previously discussed in off-the-record sessions.

Mr. Arens. What did you do after you completed the intelligence
training course?

Mr. TisLER. After I graduated from the intelligence training course
in March 1955, I returned to the headquarters of the Military Intelli-
gence Directorate and was assigned to that headquarters component,
which was responsible to intelligence operations against the United
vStates and Great Britain. While I was connected with this unit, I
also received final instructions regarding my assignment in Washing-
ton, D.C., as the military and air attache. In the course of these
preparations I was constantly reminded that my position as military
and air attache was simply a cover which was designed to legalize my
presence in the United State.s, but my real function was that of chief
of the Military Intelligence Directorate Residentura which operated
from Washington, D.C., and New York against tar,u<'(s in tlie United
States.

1728 COMMUNIST ESPIONAGE IN THE UNITED STATES

Mr. Arens. Please elaborate on this item of "cover" and how your
cover enabled you to fulfill your intelligence responsibilities,

Mr. TiSLEK. My cover as a military and ah" attache who was
accredited to the United States furnished a legal reason for my being
in the United States and being assigned to the Czechoslovak Embassy
in Washington, D.C. This legal reason enabled me to meet and
develop contacts with other foreign diplomats who were accredited
to the Ignited vStates. It also provided me with a valid reason for
being interested in militar}^ developments in the United States. In
this cover position I was to interest m3'self in United States military
matters, but at the same time these cover duties were not to detract
from my real mission. This mission called for me to attempt to
personally recruit American citizens to act as agents and, in their
agent capacities, to fm-nish me with intelligence on classified materials
related to United States military developments. The officers of my
staff were also engaged in similar operations, although not all of them
used the cover of the military attache's office. As the military and
air attache I had office facilities m the Czechoslovak Embassy in
Washington, D.C, and these office facilities were used to house my
records and equipment, which I used for clandestine hitelligence
purposes. This means that the Czechoslovak Embassy was used to
house an intelligence residentura, which was engaged in activities
which were inimical to the best interests of the United States Govern-
ment. The precise nature and details of these activities, as j'ou
know, wc have discussed extensivel}* in off-the-record sessions.

Mr. Arens. Now, was the Czechoslovak ambassador to the United
States aware of your responsibilities as an intelligence officer?

Mr. TisLER. Yes. The ambassador was aware of the fact that I
was the chief of the Military Intelligence Du-ectorate Residentura in
the United States and that I and members of my staff were engaged
in covert clandestine activity against the United States.

Mr. Arens. Did the ambassador try to interfere or restrain 3^ou
from conducting these activities?

Mr. Tisler. I was accredited to the United States during the
period August 30, 1955 to July 25, 1959, and in this period of time
the Czech ambassadors to the United States were Petrzelka and
Ruzek, the present ambassador. Although both of these ambassadors
were aware of my intelligence functions, they did not in an}^ way
interfere with my activities nor did they attempt to restrain me from
engaging in such activities.

Mr. Arens. Off the record.

(Discussion off the record.)

IVIr. Arens. Colonel Tisler, were the activities which you and the
members of your residentura conducted the only intelligence activities
which were operated from the Czechoslovak Embassy in Washington,
D.C?

Mr. Tisler. No.

Mr. Arens. Would you elaborate on this point?

Mr. Tisler. I can only say that the Czechoslovak Ministry of
Interior also had a residentura in the embassy in Washington, D.C,
and a sub-office in New York. The chief of this residentura was also
known to the Czechoslovak ambassador, and this residentura was
responsible for the covert and overt collection of political, scientific,
and economic intelligence on potential enemies of Czechoslovakia.
As Czechoslovakia regards the United States as one of its potential

COMMUXIST ESPIONAGE IN THE UNITED STATES 1729

enemies, the Ministry of Interior Residentura was also engaged in
coA'ert clandestine activities against the best interests of the Ignited
States. As far as I know, the Czechoslovak nnihassiidor to the
United States did not attcmj^t to restrain or hinder the activities
of this residentnra.

Mr. Akens. Woidd you indicate to us the number of ofluers who
were on j'^our staff and who were active in military intelligence activ-
ities against the United States? In so doing, it would be appreciated
if 3'ou could also make some conmient as to the types of cover that
were used bj^ the members of your staff. It is understood, of course,
that certain incidents and names are not to be revealed in this session
here, as the information from this session will eventually be nuide
public.

Afr. TiSLER. The Military Intelligence Residentura in the United
States during the period August 1955 to July 1959 generally consisted
of five officers. Four officers were assigned to the Czechoslovak
Embassy in Washington, D.C., and one officer was assigned to the
permanent Czechoslovak delegation to the United Nations. I was
responsible for supervising the activities of all of these officers. Of
this total number, two officers used the cover of the military attaclie's
office, whereas one officer used the cover of the commercial attache's
section of the Czechoslovak Embassy, and two officers used the cover
of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Mr. Arens. Are we to deduce from your remarks regarding the
cover which was employed by the members of your residentura
that similar cover mechanisms were used by officers of the residentura
of the Ministry of Interior?

Mr. TisLER. Yes, that would be an accurate deduction, altliough
Ministry of Interior personnel tend to use the cover of the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs to a greater extent than docs the Military Intel-
ligence Directorate.

Mr. Arens. Could you tell us the number of Ministry of Interior
intelligence officers who were operating in the United States during
the period August 1955 to July 1959?

Mr. Tisler. As j'ou know, we have discussed this in ofT-the-rccord
sessions. As a result, I believe that it would be sufficient to say at
this session that during the period from August 1955 to July 1959
approximate! 3^ 45 percent of the personnel at the Czechoslovak Em-
bassy in Washington, D.C., and of the Czechoslovak delegation to the
United Nations in New York was engaged in some type of intelligence
activity while in this country.

Mr. Arens. Would it be accurate to say that we can deduce from
this figure that one of the main reasons for the maintenance of a
Czechoslovak Embassy in Washington, D.C., is to conduct espionage
against the United States?

Mr. Tisler, Yes, that would be an accurate deduction, as it is
based on fact.

Mr. Arens. Colonel Tisler, are you aware of any American citizens
or nationals who were in contact with members of either the Czecho-
slovak Embassy in Washington, D.C., or members of the Czechoslovak
delegation to the United Nations in New York who were, or appeared
to be, working for Czechoslovakia agahist the best interests of the
United States?

Mr. Tisler. I know that members of the Czechoslovak Embassy
in Washington, D.C., were in frequent contact with Ajitonin Krchma-
rek and Charles Musil.

1730 COMMUNIST ESPIONAGE IN THE UNITED STATES

Air. Arens. AVoiild you outline to us tho nature of Krchmarek's re-
lationship with members of the staff of the Czechoslovak Embassy
in Washington, D.C.?

Mr. TiSLER. I know that Antonin Krchmarek is an American of
Czech origin wlio apparently resides in Cleveland, Ohio. This
Krchmarek was involved in a Smith Act trial of leading members of
the Communist Party of the United States. As far as I know,
Krchmarek was arrested at some point in 1953, and during tlie course
of his trial regarding violations of the Smith Act, the Czechoslovak
Government was very concerned about Krchmarek's case. In order
to assist Krchmarek in this trial, funds were transferred from members
of the enibasssy staff to intermediaries, who subsequently saw to it that
these funds were used to aid Krchmarek in his defense during the trial
for alleged violations of the Smith Act.

In 1956 the Czechoslovak Government was interested in inviting
several United States public officials of Czechoslovak descent to visit
Czechoslovakia. As a result, the Czechoslovak Embassy' in Washing-
ton, D.C., was requested to submit a list of names of such officials,
as well as personality data on these individuals. As far as I can recall,
somewhere aromid May 1956, Ambassador Petrzelka advised the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs that, in view of the fact that 1956 was an
election year, it would be difficult to arrange visits of public officials
to Czechoslovakia. Ambassador Petrzelka suggested that perhaps
rather than invite public officials, Czechoslovakia sliould concentrate
on arranging the travel of scientific, economic, or cultural experts to
Czechoslovakia. It was at approximatel}' this time that members of
the embassy staff in Wasliington, D.C., contacted AntonJn Krchmarek
in order to determine whether he knew certain public figures who
might be invited to visit Czechoslovakia. As far as I can recall,
Krchmarek advised the embass3' that certain individuals whom he
designated should be invited to visit Czechoslovakia, but invitations
should not be given to certain other named persons.

Mr. Arens. Are you aware of any other reports which Ki-chmarek
may have submitted to tlie Czechoslovak Embass}" in Washington,
D.C.?

Mr. TiSLER. I recall that in Deceml)er 1958 Ambassador Petrzelka
sent a report to the Ministry of Foreign Affau's in Prague about the
4 November 1958 elections in the United States. This report con-
tained an analysis of the election, and attached to this report were
notes from Krchmarek regarding these elections. As a result I assume
that Krchmarek must have presented some analj-tical comments on
these elections to members of the embassy staff.

Mr. Arens. Do you know anything about Krchmarek's travels to
Czechoslovakia in 1950?

Mr. TiSLER. I have heard that Krchmarek was in Prague for a year
or so in the period around 1950. While in Prague, Krchmarek was
associated with the Czechoslovak Foreign Institute. On the other
hand, 1 must remind you that I did not personally see Ki'chmarek in
Czechoslovakia.

Mr. Arens. Would you tell us what you Imow about the Czecho-
slovak Foreign Institute?

Mr. TiSLER. The Czechoslovak Foreign Institute is located in
Prague, and it is respojisible for taking care of Czechs and Slovaks
who are abroad. Tliis institute niiblishes the magazine (.Czechoslovak
World {(.'eskoslovensky Si el). As a result, it is clear that the real pur-

COMMUNIST ESPIONAGE IN THE UNITED STATES 1731

pose of this institute is tl)c overt spreading of Czeelioslovak propa-
^aiula and the exercise of covert Czechoslovak Coniininust Party-
control over the Czech and Slovak minorities abi'oad.

Mr. Arens. Was Krchmarek's association witl\ the (V.e( hoslovak
Foreign Institute one of the reasons why the Czechoslovak Govern-
ment was so interested in keeping abreast of all (U^velopnients regard-
ing Krchmarek's indictment for violation of the Smith Act?

Mr. TiSLER. I am certain that the Czechoslovak Government did
not want nny information to appear in the American press regarding
Krchmarek's association with the Czechoslovak P'oreign Institute,
as this could have been interpreted by American authorities as an
indication that Krchmarek was either a political action agent of
Czechoslovakia or that Czechoslovakia was using Krchmarek as a
nutans of interfering in the internal aflfairs of the United States.

Mr. Arens. Do you know if Krchmarek was an agent of the
Czechoslovak Government?

Mr. TisLER. Krchmarek met various members of the embassy staff
on various occasions and furnished them with information on a wide
variety of topics. As an example, Krchmarek met Ambassador
Petrzelka in New York during August 1958, and at this meeting
Ivrchniarek told Petrzelka that Krchmarek had recently been made a
member of the Executive Committee of the Central Committee of the
Conununist Party of the United States of America. At this meeting
Krchmarek informed Petrzelka as to the trends and developments
which were taking place within the Communist Party of tlic United
States of America. This information was subsequently relayed by
Petrzelka to the International Section of the Central Committee of the
Communist Party of Czechoslovakia.

Mr. Arexs. Are you aware of any incidents or occasions in which
Krchmarek received funds from the Czechoslovak Government?

Mr. TiSLER. I mentioned earlier that the Czechoslovak Govern-
ment made contributions to Krchmarek's defense fund at the time
that Krchmarek was on trial for violations of the Smith Act. I am
also aware of the fact that Krchmarek had requested that Ambassador
Petrzelka obtain financial support from the Communist Party of
Czechoslovakia for the activities of the Communist Party of the
United States. At the same time, I know that Ambassador Petrzelka
has paid Kj-chmarek funds to cover travel expenses involved in
Krchmarek meeting Ambassador Petrzelka in New York. In January
1956 Petrzelka advised Prague that Ki-chmarek was without funds,
and it was Ambassador Petrzelka's recommendation that he be author-
ized to pay Krchmarek $3,000 for living expenses and propaganda
activities.

IMr. Arens. Who in Czechoslovakia directed Krchmarek's activities
in the United States?

Mr. TiSLER. The correspondence relating to Krchmarek was either
sent to the Czechoslovak Foreign Institute, the Ministry of Foreign
Afiairs, or the International Section of the Central Committee of the
Communist Party of Czechoslovakia. It is my opinion that the
direction of Krchmarek's activities in the United States was furnished
by the International Section of the Central Committee of the Com-
munist Party of Czechoslovakia. This opinion is based to a large
extent upon the fact that information was sent to Krchmarek from
the luteruational Section of the Central Committee of the Communist

1732 COMMUNIST ESPIONAGE IN THE UNITED STATES

Party of Czochoslovakia, and this material was relayed to Krciimarek
via the good offices of the embassy staff.

Mr. Arexs. What can you tell ns about the relationship between
the Czechoslovak Embassy in Washington, D.C, and Charles Musil?

Mr. TisLER. I know that Charles Musil was, or even still may be,
theeditorof aCzecli-language newspaper which is published in Chicago,
Illinois, under the title, Nova Doha. In December 1955 the Czecho-
slovak Ministry of Foreign Affairs rec^uested that tlie Czech Embassy
in Washington, D.C, offer advice as to whether the Czechoslovak
Foreign Institute should establish direct contact with Musil in order
that tliis histitute could send Musil propaganda material which they
wanted to appear in Nova Doha. I don't know what the results of this
correspondence were, but I am aware of the fact that the N^ova Doha
newspaper is Communist-dominated and generally follows the line
of the international Communist movement. I also recall that in
November 1956 the Czechoslovak Embassy in Washington, D.C,
advised the Minis tr}^ of Foreign Affairs in Prague that Musil had been
accused by United States authorities as being a member of the
Communist Party of the United States.

Mr. Arens. Ai-e you aware of any other activities which Musil
conducted on behalf of the Czechoslovak Embassy or the Czechoslovak
Government?

Mr. TisLER. In January 1956 Musil had several meetings with
Ambassador Petrzelka and, dming the course of these meetings,
furnished the ambassador with information related to Ki-chmarek's
status and difficulties. In this period Ambassador Petrzelka used
Musil as an intermediary between himself and Krchmarek. The use
of Musil as an intermediary seems to have its origins in the fact that,
when Ambassador Petrzelka talked to Soviet Arnbassador Zarubin in
January and February 1954 regarding Ambassador Petrzelka's con-
tacts with Krchmarek and the Communist Party of the United States,
Soviet Ambassador Zarubin recommended that in view of the likely
harmful repercussions which could develop if the Krchmarek trial
revealed that Krchmarek was in du'ect contact with members of the
Czechoslovak Embassy, it was recommended that this contact be
handled via intermediaries. In this connection Zarubin told Am-
bassador Petrzelka that the Soviets never maintained direct contact
with members of the Communist Party of the United States, because
the Soviets wanted to avoid any embarrassment.

Mr. Arens. Colonel, this session has been extremely helpful, as
have our other, off-the-record sessions. I assume that there is no
objection on your part to our ultimately making today's session a
matter of public record.

Mr. TisLER. In view of the fact that we have been careful to see
that the material which we discussed today will not result in any harm
coming to innocent people who are still beliind the Iron Curtain, I do
not have any objections to today's session being made a matter of
public record.

The Chairman. Colonel Tisler, I want to take this opportunity to
thank you for your excellent cooperation. At the same time, I want
to assure you, on behalf of the United States Government, that we
will render all possible assistance in helping you to build a new life for
yourself in the United States which will give you the freedom that
you want.

INDEX

Individuals

Page

Djilas (Milovanl 1726

Gomulka (AVladyslaw) 1727

Krchmarek, Antonin (Anton, Anthonj) 1729-1732

Musi), Charles. 1729, 1782

Petrzelka (Karel) 1728, 17o(>-1732

rtajk (Lapzlo) 1727

luizek (jMiloslav) 1728

Waiir^kv (Rudolf) 1727

Ftalin (Josef) 1727

Tisler, Adela (Mrs. Frantisek Tisler, nee Machacek) 1724

Tisler, Frantisek 1723-1732 (testimony)

Zarubin (or Zaroubin) Georgi N 1732

Organizations

Communist Party, Czeclioslovakia 172C, 1731

Central Committee, International Section 1731

Communist Party, U.S.A.:

Central Committee, Executive Committee. {See National Com-
mittee, Executive Committee.)
Kational Committee, Executive Committee.. 1731

Czechoslovak Foreign Institute (Prague) 1730-1732

(Czechoslovak National Socialist Party 1726

Czechoslovakia, Government of:

Embassy, Washington, D.C 1723, 172^1732

Ministry of Foreign Affairs 1729-1732

Ministry of Interior 1728, 1729

Ministry of National Defense:

Military Intelligence Directorate ^ 1727

Mihtary Intelligence Directorate Residentura 1723, 1727-1729

United Nations, Czechoslovakian Mission 1729

Publications

Czechoslovak World (Ceskoslovensky Svet) 1730

Nova Doha (newspaper) 1732

i

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3 9999 05706 oioo

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