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The Communist Party’s Party People The Communist Party’s Party People
(2 days later)
There was no better time or place to be a Communist than in San Francisco in the spring of 1945.There was no better time or place to be a Communist than in San Francisco in the spring of 1945.
The world was poised to tip in a new direction and the start was the creation of the United Nations in San Francisco. As the delegates began taking their seats, the Red Army was battling to take Berlin. History seemed to be bending toward Moscow. Yet even conservatives held out hope that the United Nations could forge a lasting global peace. Expectations were so high that one columnist called the conference “the most important human gathering since the Last Supper.”The world was poised to tip in a new direction and the start was the creation of the United Nations in San Francisco. As the delegates began taking their seats, the Red Army was battling to take Berlin. History seemed to be bending toward Moscow. Yet even conservatives held out hope that the United Nations could forge a lasting global peace. Expectations were so high that one columnist called the conference “the most important human gathering since the Last Supper.”
That event would be a far more crucial turning point than any of the participants could anticipate. The Cold War began in San Francisco as soon as the fighting in Europe was over.That event would be a far more crucial turning point than any of the participants could anticipate. The Cold War began in San Francisco as soon as the fighting in Europe was over.
On April 25, the day the conference opened, American and Russian armies met at the River Elbe. Red Army soldiers hoisted the Soviet flag over the Reichstag on May 2, and Germany surrendered on May 7.On April 25, the day the conference opened, American and Russian armies met at the River Elbe. Red Army soldiers hoisted the Soviet flag over the Reichstag on May 2, and Germany surrendered on May 7.
The Americans commandeered the best suites in the Fairmont Hotel, but the St. Francis, home to the Soviet delegation, was the hottest ticket in town. In all four hotel ballrooms, there were vodka-soaked parties for the Russians, many of them hosted by an attractive San Francisco heiress who so loved the Socialist cause she took the local K.G.B. station chief as her lover.The Americans commandeered the best suites in the Fairmont Hotel, but the St. Francis, home to the Soviet delegation, was the hottest ticket in town. In all four hotel ballrooms, there were vodka-soaked parties for the Russians, many of them hosted by an attractive San Francisco heiress who so loved the Socialist cause she took the local K.G.B. station chief as her lover.
The Russians were America’s feted allies, so Vyacheslav Molotov, Stalin’s stolid deputy — an apparatchik so bland that Lenin once called him a “filing clerk” — was the man of the hour, lionized like a movie star and hounded for autographs. Even Hedda Hopper, the gossip columnist who went on to browbeat blacklisted Hollywood stars, fell under his spell, pronouncing Molotov “charming” and likening him in her column to Teddy Roosevelt (probably because they both wore pince-nez).The Russians were America’s feted allies, so Vyacheslav Molotov, Stalin’s stolid deputy — an apparatchik so bland that Lenin once called him a “filing clerk” — was the man of the hour, lionized like a movie star and hounded for autographs. Even Hedda Hopper, the gossip columnist who went on to browbeat blacklisted Hollywood stars, fell under his spell, pronouncing Molotov “charming” and likening him in her column to Teddy Roosevelt (probably because they both wore pince-nez).
The conference was “Grand Hotel” on the bay. Everyone who mattered, then or later, darted through the revolving doors: besides Molotov, Winston Churchill’s delegate, the future British prime minister Anthony Eden, and President Harry Truman’s secretary of state Edward R. Stettinius, rubbed shoulders with show business royalty like Rita Hayworth, Lana Turner, Jack Benny, Paul Robeson and Orson Welles.The conference was “Grand Hotel” on the bay. Everyone who mattered, then or later, darted through the revolving doors: besides Molotov, Winston Churchill’s delegate, the future British prime minister Anthony Eden, and President Harry Truman’s secretary of state Edward R. Stettinius, rubbed shoulders with show business royalty like Rita Hayworth, Lana Turner, Jack Benny, Paul Robeson and Orson Welles.
The recently widowed Eleanor Roosevelt, later a key author of the United Nations’ Declaration of Human Rights, made small talk with politicians and policy makers like Nelson Rockefeller, Adlai Stevenson, Averell Harriman and John Foster Dulles. The philosopher Isaiah Berlin was there and so was Carmen Miranda.The recently widowed Eleanor Roosevelt, later a key author of the United Nations’ Declaration of Human Rights, made small talk with politicians and policy makers like Nelson Rockefeller, Adlai Stevenson, Averell Harriman and John Foster Dulles. The philosopher Isaiah Berlin was there and so was Carmen Miranda.
The secretary general of the conference, the man in charge of getting all these notables position papers and hotel rooms, was a respected veteran of Roosevelt’s New Deal administrations by the name of Alger Hiss.The secretary general of the conference, the man in charge of getting all these notables position papers and hotel rooms, was a respected veteran of Roosevelt’s New Deal administrations by the name of Alger Hiss.
To provide the perspective of the ordinary fighting man, the Hearst newspapers sent a 27-year-old naval officer recently back from the Pacific named John F. Kennedy. Kennedy’s dispatches were somewhat cheeky, and so was he: At one formal dance, the young reporter cut in on Anthony Eden.To provide the perspective of the ordinary fighting man, the Hearst newspapers sent a 27-year-old naval officer recently back from the Pacific named John F. Kennedy. Kennedy’s dispatches were somewhat cheeky, and so was he: At one formal dance, the young reporter cut in on Anthony Eden.
As Charles Bohlen, known as “Chip,” who later became America’s ambassador to Moscow, put it in his memoir: “San Francisco was so hospitable that those attending the conference pursued recreation as vigorously as work.”As Charles Bohlen, known as “Chip,” who later became America’s ambassador to Moscow, put it in his memoir: “San Francisco was so hospitable that those attending the conference pursued recreation as vigorously as work.”
The left in-crowd went all out. Jessica Mitford, the Communist writer and British upper-class rebel, lived in San Francisco. A friend of Mitford’s, Claud Cockburn, was covering the event for Britain’s Communist newspaper, The Daily Worker. Over drinks one evening, Mitford deeded him her one-sixth share of a Scottish island — a family inheritance — as a gift to the British Communist Party.The left in-crowd went all out. Jessica Mitford, the Communist writer and British upper-class rebel, lived in San Francisco. A friend of Mitford’s, Claud Cockburn, was covering the event for Britain’s Communist newspaper, The Daily Worker. Over drinks one evening, Mitford deeded him her one-sixth share of a Scottish island — a family inheritance — as a gift to the British Communist Party.
Another fixture of the party scene was Mitford’s friend Louise Bransten, a Bay Area hostess who spent part of her fortune on the Communist cause and helped organize parties for the Russians at the St. Francis. Rich, charming and divorced, Bransten was quite the catch. (The future New York senator Jacob Javits, attending the conference as an observer, was set up on a blind date with her.)Another fixture of the party scene was Mitford’s friend Louise Bransten, a Bay Area hostess who spent part of her fortune on the Communist cause and helped organize parties for the Russians at the St. Francis. Rich, charming and divorced, Bransten was quite the catch. (The future New York senator Jacob Javits, attending the conference as an observer, was set up on a blind date with her.)
Two of Bransten’s friends from Berkeley who would soon play a pivotal role in her life were reunited at one of those parties: Haakon Chevalier, a dashing literature professor who served as an interpreter at the conference, and George Eltenton, a British scientist working for Shell.Two of Bransten’s friends from Berkeley who would soon play a pivotal role in her life were reunited at one of those parties: Haakon Chevalier, a dashing literature professor who served as an interpreter at the conference, and George Eltenton, a British scientist working for Shell.
Though they did not know it, the party was over. On May 12, Churchill sent Truman a telegram about his concerns over Soviet actions: “An iron curtain is drawn down upon their front.” It was his first recorded use of the phrase he later made famous. Before the year was out, the future director of the C.I.A., Allen Dulles, was also using it.Though they did not know it, the party was over. On May 12, Churchill sent Truman a telegram about his concerns over Soviet actions: “An iron curtain is drawn down upon their front.” It was his first recorded use of the phrase he later made famous. Before the year was out, the future director of the C.I.A., Allen Dulles, was also using it.
In the flush of victory, amid the celebrations of the birth of the United Nations, few yet felt the chill — but the Cold War had begun. The F.B.I had Bransten and her friends under surveillance. In the flush of victory, amid the celebrations of the birth of the United Nations, few yet felt the chill — but the Cold War had begun. The F.B.I. had Bransten and her friends under surveillance.
Red baiters in Washington were needlessly paranoid for a reason: Not every American Communist was a spy, but some were. While many innocent people were groundlessly blacklisted and disgraced under McCarthyism, a few who worked for the U.S.S.R. got away with it.Red baiters in Washington were needlessly paranoid for a reason: Not every American Communist was a spy, but some were. While many innocent people were groundlessly blacklisted and disgraced under McCarthyism, a few who worked for the U.S.S.R. got away with it.
Louise Bransten was a little of both.Louise Bransten was a little of both.
Bransten was famous for her parties and fund-raisers during the war. One of her frequent guests was Grigori Kheifets, a vice consul at the Russian consulate in San Francisco. Kheifets also happened to be her lover — and the K.G.B. station chief. Bransten helped him cultivate Chevalier and Eltenton.Bransten was famous for her parties and fund-raisers during the war. One of her frequent guests was Grigori Kheifets, a vice consul at the Russian consulate in San Francisco. Kheifets also happened to be her lover — and the K.G.B. station chief. Bransten helped him cultivate Chevalier and Eltenton.
Bransten’s social circle also included the physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer, who was doing government research at the Berkeley Radiation Laboratory. To get to Oppenheimer, Kheifets set his sights on Eltenton, who had worked at a research institute in Russia in the 1930s and never lost faith in the revolution, even as friends and colleagues vanished during Stalin’s purges. (His wife, Dorothea, wrote a memoir of their stay, “Laughter in Leningrad,” which, for perhaps obvious reasons, was published privately.)Bransten’s social circle also included the physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer, who was doing government research at the Berkeley Radiation Laboratory. To get to Oppenheimer, Kheifets set his sights on Eltenton, who had worked at a research institute in Russia in the 1930s and never lost faith in the revolution, even as friends and colleagues vanished during Stalin’s purges. (His wife, Dorothea, wrote a memoir of their stay, “Laughter in Leningrad,” which, for perhaps obvious reasons, was published privately.)
In the fall of 1942, the Red Army was facing desperate odds: Leningrad was still under siege and the grinding battle for Stalingrad had only just begun. Leftists wanted to help the Soviets and feared that the American government was holding back.In the fall of 1942, the Red Army was facing desperate odds: Leningrad was still under siege and the grinding battle for Stalingrad had only just begun. Leftists wanted to help the Soviets and feared that the American government was holding back.
At least, that was the explanation Eltenton gave investigators for why he agreed to ask Oppenheimer to give Russia atomic secrets. To do so, he had turned to Chevalier, who shared Eltenton’s political views and was one of Oppenheimer’s closest friends. Over martinis in Berkeley, Chevalier told Oppenheimer that Eltenton had a way to slip top secret research into Russian hands without detection.At least, that was the explanation Eltenton gave investigators for why he agreed to ask Oppenheimer to give Russia atomic secrets. To do so, he had turned to Chevalier, who shared Eltenton’s political views and was one of Oppenheimer’s closest friends. Over martinis in Berkeley, Chevalier told Oppenheimer that Eltenton had a way to slip top secret research into Russian hands without detection.
Oppenheimer, who was soon to leave for Los Alamos, indignantly refused to cooperate. The request was dropped. Kheifets and his confederates moved on to other prey.Oppenheimer, who was soon to leave for Los Alamos, indignantly refused to cooperate. The request was dropped. Kheifets and his confederates moved on to other prey.
By the time Bransten, Chevalier and Eltenton were toasting the future the St. Francis hotel in 1945, their wartime espionage effort seemed a thing of the past. So it might have remained if Oppenheimer had not eventually reported Chevalier’s overture, albeit in hedged, conflicting versions — which he subsequently disavowed when interviewed by the F.B.I. in 1946.By the time Bransten, Chevalier and Eltenton were toasting the future the St. Francis hotel in 1945, their wartime espionage effort seemed a thing of the past. So it might have remained if Oppenheimer had not eventually reported Chevalier’s overture, albeit in hedged, conflicting versions — which he subsequently disavowed when interviewed by the F.B.I. in 1946.
By then, however, the investigators’ worst fears of K.G.B. infiltration were confirmed. Starting in August and September 1945, a stream of defectors, Russian and American, informed the F.B.I. about the moles in Washington and the spies at Los Alamos. Oppenheimer eventually lost his security clearance, after further investigations in 1954, because of what became known as “the Chevalier incident.”By then, however, the investigators’ worst fears of K.G.B. infiltration were confirmed. Starting in August and September 1945, a stream of defectors, Russian and American, informed the F.B.I. about the moles in Washington and the spies at Los Alamos. Oppenheimer eventually lost his security clearance, after further investigations in 1954, because of what became known as “the Chevalier incident.”
Chevalier lost his teaching post at Berkeley and moved to Paris, writing books and translating works by André Malraux and Louis Aragon. In 1947, Eltenton returned to England to work at a Shell facility there. The F.B.I. wanted MI5 to pursue Eltenton, but back home, class snobbery worked in his favor. The head of MI5, Sir Percy Sillitoe, responded that their Cambridge-educated compatriot “made a very good impression.” Eltenton’s boss at Shell dismissed the American accusations as “stuff and nonsense.”Chevalier lost his teaching post at Berkeley and moved to Paris, writing books and translating works by André Malraux and Louis Aragon. In 1947, Eltenton returned to England to work at a Shell facility there. The F.B.I. wanted MI5 to pursue Eltenton, but back home, class snobbery worked in his favor. The head of MI5, Sir Percy Sillitoe, responded that their Cambridge-educated compatriot “made a very good impression.” Eltenton’s boss at Shell dismissed the American accusations as “stuff and nonsense.”
Bransten was subpoenaed to appear before the House Un-American Activities Committee in 1948, but she refused to answer questions, citing the Fifth Amendment. Instead, she distributed a prepared a statement that said in part: “I believe in one world and agree with Franklin Roosevelt that world peace must be based on cooperation between the United States and the Soviet Union within the United Nations.”Bransten was subpoenaed to appear before the House Un-American Activities Committee in 1948, but she refused to answer questions, citing the Fifth Amendment. Instead, she distributed a prepared a statement that said in part: “I believe in one world and agree with Franklin Roosevelt that world peace must be based on cooperation between the United States and the Soviet Union within the United Nations.”
Bransten was charged with contempt of Congress in 1949, but she got lucky: Judge Burnita S. Matthews, the first woman named to the Federal District Court, ruled in her favor. One newspaper called Bransten the “Red-Handed Heiress” and her reputation became so radioactive that even the liberal Republican Javits had to account to Congress for his fleeting association with her.Bransten was charged with contempt of Congress in 1949, but she got lucky: Judge Burnita S. Matthews, the first woman named to the Federal District Court, ruled in her favor. One newspaper called Bransten the “Red-Handed Heiress” and her reputation became so radioactive that even the liberal Republican Javits had to account to Congress for his fleeting association with her.
In 1948, Hiss was denounced before the House Un-American Activities Committee as a spy. After an investigation by a congressional subcommittee into whether he’d committed perjury in denying the charges, he was tried twice, and was eventually convicted in 1950. By the end of 1950, the chairman of the subcommittee that had undermined Hiss’s testimony was a senator; by 1953, he was vice president. His name was Richard Nixon.In 1948, Hiss was denounced before the House Un-American Activities Committee as a spy. After an investigation by a congressional subcommittee into whether he’d committed perjury in denying the charges, he was tried twice, and was eventually convicted in 1950. By the end of 1950, the chairman of the subcommittee that had undermined Hiss’s testimony was a senator; by 1953, he was vice president. His name was Richard Nixon.
The San Francisco conference must have seemed like a glittering triumph for American Communists. Instead, it was their last glimmer.The San Francisco conference must have seemed like a glittering triumph for American Communists. Instead, it was their last glimmer.