861.48/1503
The Chairman of the American Relief
Administration (Hoover) to the Secretary of State
Washington, August 1,
1921.
Dear Mr. Secretary: Please find enclosed
herewith copy of the telegram which I settled with you by telephone this
morning. Also a copy of the telegram which we received, which had
already appeared in the press.
Yours faithfully,
[Enclosure 1—Telegram]
The London Office of the
American Relief Administration to the Chairman of
the American Relief Administration (Hoover)
Riga transmits following from Maxim Gorky presented by representative
Soviet Government in Latvia:
“July 28th. I have transmitted your proposal to the Soviet
Government seeing that the Soviet Government alone can
discuss the conditions contained therein. I have received
from the Soviet Government the following reply for
transmission to you:
‘The Russian Government has acquainted itself with
the proposal of Mr. Hoover made in the name of the
American Relief Administration and finds this
proposal quite acceptable as to its basis including
the release of the American prisoners. The Russian
Government considers it desirable as soon as
possible to fix the precise conditions on which this
association will begin immediate relations of its
humane intentions to guarantee the feeding, medical
treatment and clothing of a million children and
invalids. For that purpose the Russian Government
would consider it useful that Director Brown or
another person invested with full powers should
carry out negotiations and should immediately come
to Moscow, Riga or Reval. The Russian Soviet
Government awaits a speedy reply as to the place and
date of these negotiations. Signed, Chairman of the
Commission of the All Russian Central Executive
Committee for Helping the Famine Stricken
Population, Kameneff. [’]
Signed, Maxim Gorky”
[No signature indicated]
[Page 810]
[Enclosure 2—Telegram]
The Chairman of the American Relief
Administration (Hoover) to the London Office of the American Relief
Administration
Washington, August 1,
1921.
For Brown. As to cable forwarded through you from Mr. Gorky, of July
28th, would be glad if you would proceed at once to Riga. It is of
course to be assumed that the prisoners will have been delivered out
of Russia as demanded by the State Department before you open
discussions. You will recognize that such a course is the most
primary evidence of willingness to assure life and liberty of our
staff. You will please advise Messrs Gorky and Kameneff.
