The Washington herald., 1918-06-09
FAIR WORD FOR
ALLIES COMES
OUT OF RUSSIA
Strong Commercial Body in
Moscow Pledges
Loyalty.
WATCHING FAR EAST
Activity Of German Troops
May Give Ground for
Intervention.
WATCHING FAR EAST

The first encouraging word from
Russia since the fall OF the Kerensky
government was received by the State
Department yesterday. Ambassador
Francis forwarded, for transmission to
President Wilson, a pledge of loyalty
to the allied cause. a hope for vic
tory over the militaristic caste Of
Germany" and an appeal for eco
nomic aid from America, from tie
Russian-American Chamber of Com
merCe at Moscow.
The message to the President was
occasioned by the death of Madden
Summers, American consul general at
Moscow. and one of the most infiu-
ential foreigners in Russia. 1t was
al follows:
The general meeting OF the Rus
sian-American Chamber Of Commerce
deeply conscious of the inestinable
loss which has befalIen Us with rrr
death of our prominent worker and
co-member, Mr.. Summers. devoting
such noble efforts in the great enter
prise of strengthening the friendly
relations between the people OF the
United States and Russia, is sending
you, Mr.. President. the assurance If
our deepest devotion to the American
people, our unlimited sympathy and
esteem, and wish for a complete vic
tory over the militaristic caste of
Germany.
The Russian people, after being
inflicted with such serious wounds
in such tragic manner. temporari-
ly paralyzinE their country, firmly
rcb es upon Actual support from the
allies in an economical sense, which
may prove of special importance in
the restoration of normal conditions
OF Russian life, for the reconstruc-
| ton of the power of Russia. so that
she again may find herself in the
ranks of her brave friends and al
/ lies in defense of the ideals of hu-
manity, righteousness and liberty
so roughly trampled under foot.
! "(Signed) Russian-American Cham
ber OF Commerce.
an. Gotchkoff, president.
Chamber L. influential.
As its name implies the Russian
American Chamber Of Commerce is
avowedly interested in cordial re-
Iations between the two countries.
But it is said in well-informed
quarters here that the organization.
to which Consul-General Summers
had given much of his time. has be-
come one of the most influential
in Moscow. 1t numbers among its
members most of the important busi-
ness people of the city.
Through its correspondent and
the agents. maintained by Mr.. Sum
mers throughout Russia, the Cham
ber of Commerce also is a large
o., l.. Ill -, Il
affairs.
The telegram is believed to voice
the universal fear among Russian
! merchants and business men that
if the country is submitted to Ger
man domination they will be wiped
out by the government -fostered
competition of the German mer-
chants. This fear is counted upon
as one of the most important fac
! tors in swinging Russia into line
| with the allies once more.
The State Department is carefully
watching developments in the Far
East. 1t was said there yesterday
that no confirmation had been OBJ
; tanned as to the presence of Austrian
and German troops with the BQlshe-
Wiki opposing Gen. Semenoffs ad-
vance in Trans-Baikalia. If German
| and Austrian troops are there en-
gagged, as press dispatches indicate, II
will constitute grounds for armed in
tervention in Russia, according to Of
ficals at the department.
Pending confirmation OF the pres
ence of these troops, however. the de-
partment is loath TO say what will be
done.
Enemy Troops Were Prisoners.
II the troops are there It is con sd
cred beyond doubt that they are rD-
Grated Austrian and German prison.
| ers. The department has positive in
| formation that no German or Aus
trian troops have been moved to the
Manchurian border from European
Russia. It is known that thousands
of German and Austrian prisoners
were located in Siberia all the way to
! the maritime province about VladI-
vostok. These men have not been un-
/ der guard. The single line of Hom-
munication along the Trans-Siberian
| Railroad has made 1t certain that
they could not escape.
Reports nave been received through
diplomatic channels that many of
these men settled down in the country
and even attained to political office
under the Bolsheviki governments in
| that part Of the country. 1t is be-
| lieved that IL German and Austrian
! troops are on the Manchurian border
these prisoners have been allowed tc
organize and in some way have Sc