Office of the Historian

361.11/3675: Telegram

The Minister in Norway (Schmedeman) to the Secretary of State

Christiania, February 26, 1921—3 p.m.
[Received 4:05 p.m.]

6. Your no. 9, February 18, 1[7] p.m.95 Nansen96 has received no telegram from Moscow regarding Americans since early part of December probably due to change in foreign policy. Nansen confidentially informed [that] Litvinov now strong factor in foreign policy and determined request recognition of Soviet Russia before dealing with foreign powers. Eiduch97 informed Nansen no action likely to be taken until Harding inaugurated. Nansen not discouraged as to outcome of efforts and will again write Russian Foreign Commissariat requesting immediate action. I believe it unwise to have Nansen discontinue his work as Soviet Government may be postponing action until after new administration.

Schmedeman
  1. Not printed.↩
  2. Fridtjof Nansen, commissioner of the League of Nations to repatriate prisoners.↩
  3. Alexander Eiduk, head of the Soviet Central Organization for Prisoners.↩