The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-04-11
CALL CONFERENCE
ON RUSSIAN TRADE
Council on Foreign Relations
Arranges for Luncheon
on April 90.
l.. A. MARTENS TO ATTEND
Will Discuss Status Of Large
Deposits of Russian
Money Here.

The Russian situation in all Its phases.
but particularly with reference to finance
aid trade will be discussed thoroughly
nj an important conference TO DO held
at the Hotel Astor on the evening OF
April 20. It was learned yesterday that
The Council on Foreign Relations, which
has it's Offices at 165 Broadway. had
called the conference and Il was an
nouncsd thai prominent speakers from
all parts of the country will be present
TO give their Views on tho situation.
Whils no definite details concerning the
meeting have been given out, It IL under
stood that prominent bankers, exporters,
manufacturers and many others who
have extensive interests in Russia will
be present.
One Of the chief subjects Of discussion
VIII be the large deposits of Russian
money In this country and an effort is
10 be made to determine the status of
those deposits. Their amount IL not
known definitely. but it ia declared that
II huge sum. A large portion of
the funds was placed to the credit of
russian enterprises and to the credit OF
the Russian Government for the pur-
chase OF locomotives steel, munitions
and other supplies. Before deliveries
were completed the Russian detection In
tho war came about and the American
Government commando the supplies.
The funds which were placed here to
pay for them. therefore. are still on de-
post and their exact status ia a matter
OF question. 1t Is believed that at least
a part OF the funds will be used to re-
inourse the important banking and man
ractrfing interests which had money
on deposit IN Russia at the time of the
revolution and whose funds in that coun-
try was seized by the new regime
An important person at the meeting on
April 20 will be L. A Martens, who has
come to America as the accredited rep
resentatiye OF the Soviet Government in
Russia, but whose credentials as am
bassador extraordinary and minister
plsnipotentiary have not yet been recoK-
nized by the United States Government
~ II believed In some quarters that Mr.
Martens may have some valuable sug-
gestions to present to the conference and
tnat As q result of his presence plans
that win clsar the situation to some ex-
tent at least may be made. (Others
who viii attend the meeting are
six men who have returned recently
from various parts of Russia. They
Will present their views OF the conditions
as they saw them. and tits declared In
highly credited source that some very
sensational features are to be developed
at the meeting.
Another point which is to be thor
oushly discussed is the trade situation
An EFFORT Is to he made to segregate
those portions OF Russia which are rela-
lively peaceful and make definite plans
Tor resuming trade In those sections
Particular attention In that respect is to
be given to those portions of Asiatic
RUSSIA whence goods can be shipped by
way OF Vladivostok
In connection with the visit of Mr..
Martens TO this country 1t is known that
he recently held very important con-
ference with representatives of some OF
the largest American banking and man.
ufacturing interests. at which the Rus
san situation was thoroughly gone over
That conference was held in connection
with a luncheon. but no details were
made public because OF Mr. Martens's
delicate position as result OF the State
Departments refusal to recognize him
as representative OF the Russian Gov
eminent
II was learned that arrangements for
the luncheon and conference were made
through the Council on Foreign Rela-
lions. and when asked regarding the
meeting yesterday Mark o. Cross, who
Is active head of the council, admit ed
that II had been held He said that i'm
portant interests were represented at the
conference. but declined to name any OF
tAem or to give out anything whatever
IN connection with the discussion which
took place. He gave as his reason for
silence on the subject the delicate situa-
ZION surrounding the Russians presence
In the country and declared that II was
the patriotic desire OF the council not
10 embarrass the Government Of the
United States in any way"
Asked II the council had "recognized'
Mr. Martens as the representative Of the
russian Government in spite Of the
state Departments failure to do so. Mr..
Cross declared that he was present at
the luncheon only in his private capacity
and not in any way as a representative
OF the Council on Foreign Relations at
the affair.