Alger Hiss
* Martin Walker (“A Loss of Convictions Since Hiss,” Opinion, Nov. 24) quotes me accurately as saying, “It’s what exactly he [Hiss] was guilty of that still confuses me.” But lest there by any misunderstanding, as readers of my essay in this week’s Nation will know, I do not believe that Alger Hiss was guilty of espionage, treason or spying. What I do believe is that in the overheated and intolerant atmosphere of the Cold War, Hiss, like other idealistic left-liberals of the period, may have--for better or worse--told less than the whole truth about his social, political, and/or personal activities in the period preceding it.
Nevertheless I suspect that when, if ever, the complete and in-context story is known, Hiss will emerge looking a lot better than his accusers.
VICTOR S. NAVASKY
Publisher and Editorial Director
The Nation
New York
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
