To the Editor of the Crimson:

I feel that Mr. L. Magruder Passano's statement in Monday's Crimson on the Ehrlich-Alter executions was an unfair one, particularly because the Soviet military court which tried the two men cannot, for obvious reasons, release details of the trial. However, a few general facts are known, facts which the Polish embassy in Washington has vigorously attempted to suppress. If ninety per cent of Harvard's undergraduates are uninformed on this incident, Mr. Passano should have undertaken to explain to them these facts.

Although Ehrlich and Alter were Jews and Socialists, they were openly associated with the anti-Semitic, semi-fascist Polish government of Josef Beck. Escaping into Soviet Russia after the German seizure of western Poland, they undertook to supply to the Polish government-in-exile military information on the U. S. S. R. They were arrested in August, 1941, and convicted on these charges. However, under the terms of a friendship pact signed between Russia and Poland, they were released. Provided with Red Cross funds, the two organized a Polish relief committee. Using this project as a front, they began distributing leaflets attacking the Soviet government and urging a separate peace between Russia and Nazi Germany. This transpired at the time when the fate of the United Nations hinged on the Battle of Stalingrad. Consequently Ehrlich and Alter were again brought to trial, convicted, and this time shot.

Now certain forces in this country are using these executions as the spearhead of an anti-Soviet campaign. While not wishing to supply everlasting justification of the Soviet policies. I feel that Mr. Passano is being unwise in lending his support to such a campaign. Conducted as it is by the Redbaiters, its sole purpose is to create dissension between ourselves and our fighting Soviet ally. John R. Shepley '46.