The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-01-06
FRANCIS ANSWERS
IR0TzkY WITH VIC JR
Promptly Meets the Charges That Hs
and the Red Cross We're Aiding
kalcdine.
CALLS TALK .qNCENDIARY"
And Gives Full and Detailed Explains
ton OF the Activities OF Red Gross
Officials.

! Washington. Jan. 5--A vigorous
and sweeping denial, made by DavtC
Il. Francis, am bassador at Petrograd
OF the charges of Leon Trotzky, Bol
sheylst minister. that American Rec
Cross agents and the envoy of the
United States were implicated in &
plot TO aid General Ksledine was CIV
gu out here by Secretary Lansing.
The denial was issued by the am.
hassador at Petrograd on December
20. after Trotzky had made a speech
before soldiers and workmen. eharg-
ing Mr.. Francis and other Americans
with counter revolutionary activi-
ties
The statement OF Mr., Francis reads:
My attention has today been called
to an article appearing in today's Is.
sue OF the Bulletin OF the Soviets, in
which IT is alleged that the most
prominent representatives Of the Uni
ted States are shown 10 be implicated
in the Kaledine plot; that they have
Ia ken all measures to assist in ttD)
that under the guise OF a Red Cross
train. destined for the southwest front
American officers, in Jassy, Messrs
Anderson and Perkins. and their az
sociates and the Russian officers, Kali
paschmikoff and Ferblyounsky have
made an attempt to send several doz'
en- automobiles and other things to
be placed at the disposal of Kaledine:
that Colonel kaipaschnikoff and his
accomplices have been arrested. that
pa pers OF exceptional Importance have
been seized, among them a telegram
fr the chief OF she American Red
Cross mission in Jassy commissioning
Colonel kalpaschnikor to receive
from me 100. 600 rublss TO send the
train TO Roator and ceTttftcats
signed ny me to the effect that the
train is going from Petrograd TO
Jassy that the plot of the American
imperialists Nth the Kaledinists has
been exposed. and that 1t is now time
Tor me and for the government which
] represent to speak.
Il nave also been informed that in
q speech at the Alexander theater on
the night of December 8 t2ist) Mr.,
Trozky has charged me with counter
revolutionary activities,
instructions OF my government are
very definite and positive. prohibiting
any Interference by any American
mai affairs of this country. l have
observed these instructions scrupu-
lousy, and. so far as my authority
extends, have directed their strict OBJ
Eervance by all connected with the
American en- bassy or under its con-
troll, The charge or insiuuation that
/ was aiding Kaledine or any other
OF the numerous and varied factions
In Russia IL absolutely without foun-
dation. and my statement to this eff,
feet should be sufficient to convince
an N it's truth and correctness.
Quotes Two Letters.
The American Red Cross is an or.
ganization in my country supported
by voluntary subscription and on.
cislly recognized by the government
Of the United States. the purpose OF
whose existence is the alisviation ol
human suffering. During the pressr'
war tn which the United States lis en-,
gagged the American Red Cross main
tatns certain missions operating in tn
countries OF its allies, among them
mission To Russia and one 10 Ru
mania. under the chsirmanship o
Lieutenant Colonel Raymond Robini
and Lieutenant Colonel Henry w. An
derson, respectively.
The American embassy at Petro
grad has never failed TO afford al
assistance and cooperation possible
with the American Red Cross II
Washington and with it's missions IL
Russia and Rumanin especially. on
~ its chief duties and privileges beinl
the transm ission to their RESPECTIVE
destinations Of cables between the re
spective missions and the American
Red Cross in Washington,
The bulletin Of the Soviets pub
lished the text of a telegram from
Colonel Anderson to Colonel Kal
paschuikoff relative TO the shipm en-
OF certain motor care to Rostov O.
Don. directing Colonel Kalpagchniko OF
20 apply to me for the advance o
100. 900 rubles for the account OF tn
Red Cross. The bulletin does no
publish the text of the two foIlowin
kilograms from Colonel Andsrao
which together with the text of tn
telegram published, were delivered I
Colonel Kalpaschnikorf on Decembe
/ 90.
American Embassy, Petrograd NJ
5T9. Following signed Anderson. 70
Ksipaschnikoff:
"JAssy, Dec II. Perkins and Yer
hlunsky left for Petrograd 10th I
hanged conditions here ttisre
sard nay sos. Dec. s, Have motor
ready for shipment on arrival Perkin
who carries instructions. spend nece,
sary funds up to $4,000 rubies; NOV
than promptly. See Robins a6ou