701.6111/377: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Chargé in Sweden (Wheeler)
1663. Your 3957, June 24. Please inform proper Swedish authorities at once as follows: The statement purporting to emanate from Moscow is wholly untrue. Mr. Martens has not been arrested nor does this Government contemplate any action against law abiding Russian citizens in this country. It is understood that Mr. Martens claims official status as the representative of a regime at Moscow which the United States has not recognized as a Government. At the same time he is a German citizen, having voluntarily so declared himself when he entered this country in 1916.
This Government has not forgotten the unwarrantable arrest and detention for months of Consul Tredwell and the illegal and unjustifiable imprisonment under severe hardships of Vice Consuls Burri and Leonard, contrary to the fundamental practice of civilized nations. Nor has it forgotten that an American citizen, Kalamatiano, has been held in prison at Moscow for months under sentence of death, without proper trial, and without opportunity for his Government to assist him. The Government of the United States now views with grave concern the reported threat of the authorities at Moscow to take further illegal measures in the form of reprisals against American citizens in Russia. Such a course, if adopted, would be certain to arouse in the United States an overwhelming public sentiment of indignation against the authorities at Moscow responsible for such acts.