811.20261/49: Telegram
The Chargé in Denmark (Grant-Smith) to the Acting Secretary of State
[Received May 16, 4:55 a.m.]
3984. Following despatched American Mission.
[“] 372, May 15, 7 p.m. The Danish Red Cross informs me a report from their office in Moscow dated April 4th reads in part as follows:49
‘Contrary to the reports of the American State Department [it is asserted by] the Commissioner of Foreign Affairs that there are beyond dispute arrested Bolshevik Russians with the Americans at Vladivostok and Blagoveshchensk and that remaining Americans, Roumanians and Serbians will not be released before these arrested Russians have been released. Karakhan mentions that his sister-in-law is among the arrested. I therefore request you once more to inquire of America concerning this question.’
[“]A further report dated April 26th from the same source states:
‘The chances for exchange and departure are growing worse and worse, so that the Allies ought to accept present proposals as soon as possible. It is almost too late even now concerning Kalamatiano and the other arrested Americans. They will probably be released if the American Government inform us [by telegram] that we may offer the Soviet Government the following terms: in exchange for Kalamatiano and all other arrested Americans American Government will exchange all Russians arrested for political offenses in east Asia, Vladivostok, and Blagoveshchensk et cetera. If the Soviet Government accept this proposal and immediately release Americans without awaiting arrival of arrested Russians from east Asia, American Government will permit Russia to buy and import American [Page 185] medicine through the Danish Red Cross. If such proposal be forthcoming from the American Government in the very near future there is probability that it will be accepted.’[”]
- Bracketed corrections from a despatch from the Chargé in Denmark, dated May 15.↩