The Washington herald., 1918-08-15
POOLE
LEAVES RUSS
CAPITAL CITY
Asks Swedish Envoy to
Take Over American
Consulate.
EN- ROUTE TO SWEDEN
Bolshevist Minister Breaks
Pledges and Arrests
Ally Representatives.


Affairs of the American consulate
at Moscow have been taken over oy
representatives OF the foreign ONCE
Of Sweden. American Consul Gen
erni Poole burned his code book
during the night of August 5, and
with the consular representatives of
England and Japan is now en- route
to Stockholm via Petrograd.
American civilians have not been
molested, but a number of French
and English subjects are being held
by the BoIshevist authorities as
hostages for the lives of Soviet
members in the area occupied by
the allies.
II was officially confirmed to the
state Department yesterday.
The messages reveal a series of
broken promises on the part of the
Russian Foreign Minister, Tchit-
cherin.
Demand ExpIaaation.
When Tchitcherin explained Le-
ntne's announcement that a state of
war existed between Russia and the
allies should be interpreted only as
meaning that a state of defense had
been declared. the foreign repre-
sentatIves demanded the expIana-
tion be publicly made.
On the night OF August a reply
was received from Tchitcherin. 1t
stated that. inasmuGh as Lenine's ut
teTanoes had been made behind closed
oaofs in q meeting at which an agent
Or the allies could be present only
through the courtesy of the Soviet
government. public explanations could
not be made. As to the members Of
the military missions, Tchitcherin
said negotiations had begun with the
German authorities to procure safe
passage for them from Petrograd to
stockholm. He asserted that passage
through Archangel was impossible.
as British cruisers already had begun
the bombardment of the islands there.
A report tells of the arrests OF Brit
ish and French citizens at Moscow.
On the afternoon of August 5 there
was a conference at Moscow between
Tchitcherin and the consuls general
Of Japan. Sweden and the United
states with the following results.
His Proxies.
!. The Soviet e, uent gave SOL
emn assurances allied persons
having diplomatic on U:ficial character
would not be molested.
, Tchitcherin stated that the allied
military missions would not be al
lowed to depart as had already been
promised.
- ,. That civil persons arrested were
hostages for the lives of the Soviet
members in the territory occupied by
the allies.
Mr.. Poole is said by the State De-
partment to have told Tchitcherin
that he had no knowledge of what
had taken place in Northern Rus
sia. but warned Tchitcherin that the
peoples of the allied nations could
not be intimidated by such meas
Ures- He is also reported to have
told the Russian officiaI the initia-
ticn of a system of reprisaIs could
only result in Individual members
Of the government being held per-
scnally responsible. and in the loss
Of the Bolshevik cause of whatever
respect it might now have in the
minds of the civilized world.
Arrest COnsuIs.
A message from Consul General
4 OOAC haNEN august STATED I0aL
the authorities forcibly entered the
consulates general of France and
England on the afternoon of Aug
ust 5 and arrested the consuIs gen
eIaI and their stats. As ALREADY
known here the consuIs general and
a part of their STATS were released
on the following morning but dur
ing the period of Imprisonment
guards placed around both CONSUL
ates would not permit British and
French nationals to approach.
DIr. Poole emphasized to the State
Department that these acts occurred
immediately following the solemn
assurance given by Tchitcherin that
all persons having diplomatic or
consular character would be re-
spScted.
U. 8. Not to Act Further.
Secretary Lansing said yesterday
the United States was not considering
recognition Of the Czecho-Slovak peo-
pies further than the sympatheuc
statements already made public BY
President Wilson.
The action taken by the British gov
ernment Is thought 10 have. been for
the purpose Of further encoura ginz the
Czecho-Slovak armies in Russia which
are now being supported by the United
States and all powers OF the Entente.
Such recognition as has been ex-
tended. II was declared. can only mean
that the several interested govern
unents are in sympathy with efforts
Of the Czecho-Siovenes to become in
dependent Of Austria Hungary, 1t
may also mean that the British.
r.e.eh and Italian governments,
which have extended recognition, :.
propose to protest against the execu-
ion az traitors OF Czecho-sIovak
prisoners captured in Russia by the