861.404/35
President Harding to the Secretary of State
My Dear Secretary Hughes: I have yours of May 17, in which you enclose to me the letter of Archbishop Alexander of the Russian Church in America making an appeal from the church hierarchy on behalf of the Patriarch of the Russian Church who is about to be placed on trial in Moscow on the charge of resisting the requisition of church treasures by the Soviet authorities. However much one may sympathize with the appeal I do not see that there is anything which we may do about it. I assume, therefore, that your acknowledgment of the petition is the only action which may be taken.
Very truly yours,