The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1920-12-22
N CORMICK MAY
|NVEST|GATERED
Soviet Hears Report Senator
Will Seek information for
President-Elect.
BIZ LOUISE BRYANT.
International News Service.

MOSCOW. by Wireless to Berlin.
Dec, ga report from London today
that United States Senator Medill Nc
Cormick Is conducting an unofficial
investig alton OF European conditions
for President-elect Harding and may
undertake unofficial negotiations
aroused great interest among Soviet
officials.
II led to the belief In some quarters
that Senator Mccormick may visit
Moscow before his return home.
McCORMICk's STATEMENT.
I'm an interview given at Geneva,
Senator Mccormick said that he had
gone to Europe on his own initia-
tive 10 obtain information for the
use OF his colleagues In the Senate.
He Is now Investigating conditions
In Austria and Hungry
Senator Mccormick is we'll known
In Russia through his father. who was
formerly American ambassador to this
country. and through the Interna-
uonal Harvester Company. whose
farm machinery is known throughout
Russia
The international Harvester Com
pany was started by the Mccormick
family. The plant OF that company
near Moscow Is the only large foreign
factory that has kept running during
the blockade. 1t has consistently
maintained friendly relations with the
Soviet.
The cencensus OF opinion here Is
that such a well known representa-
tive from the United States probably
would be able to reach a satisfactory
agreement with the Soviet.
HOPE FOR NEW ATTITUDE.
Omciala NJ he TOT
are anxious to learn what the atti-
tude of the new administration at
Washington will be toward Moscow.
1t Is generally conceded the Soviet
cannot look for any sympathy, but Of
ficials express the hope that the Will
son policy OF ignoring the existence
OF the Soviet government will be
dropped. 1t has been impossible to
negotiate with Washington upon any
subject. no matter how unimportant,
because Of the attitude of the Amer
lean Administration in refusing to
recognize the existence Of a Russian
government.
France and Great Britain have been
more outspokenly hostile than Amer
lea, but negotiations have been car
ried on with Lonoon and Paris con-
corning such matters as the release
Of prisoners.
FITZPATRICK CASE.
After the capture of Capt Emmett
Fitzpatrick, an American, during the
Wrangel debacle in Crimea. reports
were abroad In America that he was
being maltreated by the Soviet forces.
However. no inquiries came from
Washington regarding Captain Kill
patrick, because the Washington
Government refused to admit the ex-
istence of a Soviee government.
Your correspondent Investigated to
find II there was any truth in these
reports. 1t was found that Captain
Fitzpatrick had been transferred from
prison to a fairly comfortable mon
astery, where he was allowed to re-
ceive special packages from relief or
ganizations. The Soviet decided to
treat Captain Fitzpatrick as a prison
er of war after American newspaper
accounts had been received saying
that the American had fought as q
volunteer against Soviet Russia in
the wars of the Baltic states.
Among the recent American bust
ness men in Moscow were Jonas Lied,
Of Lied, Inc New York, and P. Jen-
nings, OF Lehighton. Pa.