361.11/3470: Telegram
The Chargé in Sweden ( Wheeler ) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 21—1:52 a.m.]
145. The following message is sent at the request of Dr. Nansen who arrived in Stockholm today coming from Moscow through Reval:
“The International Red Cross in Geneva sent me a telegram on behalf of the American Government asking that I take up with the Russian Soviet Government the question of relieving Americans who are prisoners and are being detained in Russia. I complied with this request and discussed the subject with Chicherin. I also looked up Eiduck who is the head of the Central Organization in charge of prisoners. They said that they were willing to free most Americans and permit them to leave the country. They wished very much, however, to negotiate about it directly with the American Government. I took up the question of the three women employed by the Legation of the United States in Russia who are under arrest. I was told that Mrs. Kennedy had been freed already and that they were willing to free Miss Sante as soon as they could learn her whereabouts.70 There were difficulties of course with regard to Miss Loviaguine on account of the war. I strongly urged them to let Miss Loviaguine go. They did not appear to be very much opposed to this. I told him [Eiduck?] that Miss Sante, according to the information I had, should be in northern Russia, probably at Vologda.
I received from the International Red Cross Committee as I was leaving Christiania the list of Americans in Russia. When in Moscow I told the Russians that as soon as I reached home I would telegraph the list to them. Tomorrow I will do so. I gave them in the meantime a list of Americans in Moscow which I obtained there. I [Page 678] talked to them especially about Kalamatiano who is under death sentence. I warned them against touching him since this would certainly arouse the feeling of the American people against Russia and would increase still more the difficulties of coming to an understanding with the United States. I made the proposal that they should exchange him for a Russian in America but they said that as he was under death sentence this was not possible. I suggested that they then find some other excuse for releasing him, as I considered that would be a wise thing for them to do. As soon as the United States makes a definite request, I think the hope of getting Americans out of Russia is good.”
- By telegram no. 103, June 20, 1921, the Chargé in Finland reported that Miss Sante had arrived in Finland (file no. 124.613/423).↩