Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-12-07
VANDERBILT CLAIMS
BASED0NP PROMISES
Soviet Concessions contin-
gent on U. S. Recognition,
Says Russian Informant.
BY WILLIAM J. BUTLER.

Cross-Atlantic Cable Service to The Star.
LONDON, December 7.-Claims of
contracts and other concessions in
volving billions of dollars. which
Washington D. vanderhp, the Pacific
coast capitalist and promoter. declares
he has received from the soviet gov
eminent for an American syndicate
which he represents, are gross ex-
|aggerations. it is declared in London.
This is evidenced. it isIdeclared. by
letters which have passed between
British government officials and high
ly-placed wealthy Russians here who
are associated with the Krassin
trade delegation from Russia
letters, one of which was, addressed
to an official in the foreign office and
another to No. 10 Downing street,
were approved by Krassin before be-
ing dispatched and were signed by
Russian informant.
These missives state that Krassin
himself met Vanderlip. at Stockholm
in July and arranged the recent trip
of the American capitalist through
Russia. The Informant said regard
ing the American who, has obtained
much publicity here: -
ftKrassin realizes that Vanderlip is not
a man of any great standing in Amer
lea But in view of the fact that the re-
cent RNs60sS Swedish satrsde agreement
was engmeered by a:nsa who had little
social Or cofnmercfai standing in Swe-
den. Krassin could see 40 harm in CIV
ing Yanderlip a chance. particularly
when he could interest no influential
person in the United States in a similar
deal Vanderlip was given special con-
sideration by the Russian officials be-
cause Of the fact that he. carried with
him letters Of recommendation signed
by twelve United States senators and
other credentials
Here he was asked exactly what rep
resentatives Vanderlip had made to
Lenin regarding the reported promise to
him by President-elect Harding to rec
ognize soviet Russia. My informant re-
s'Vanderlip did not use the name Of
Senator Harding, but simply told Lenin
this: I stand very close to the republic
can party leaders in the United States.
| have every assurance that the repub-
icans will win the presidential election,
tain official recognition from the United
States ..
Tho letter to Downing street states
explicitly that Vanderlip has obtained
no concessions or contracts, such as he
claims, but that he has received merely
promises from certain high officials in
the soviet that they will grant him cer-
tain contracts and concessions after he
has proved to their satisfaction that he
has influential Americans behind him
and has secured United States recogni-
ton Of the soviet government.
Krassin still holds to the opinion that
vanderlip might be able to obtain this
recognition. But so long as the Ameri-
can promoter has not done this, his
claims to definite contracts and conces-
sions are plain exaggerationss according
to the informant. who is a Russian mill
lionaire, we'll known both In Great
Britain and in the United States. He
declared only yesterday that he had re-
ceived a cable from one of the largest
firms In the United States announcing
that it was ready to do business with
the soviet government. and he said that
similar communications had. been re-
ceived recently from other influential
American concerns. = g :
He predicts that the soviet will not
long hold sway over Russia and that the
country will be freed Of its rule very :
soon, possibly within five years.