Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1921-08-03
HUGHES DEMANDS THO RELEASE
or Americans Held Prisoner by tho
Soviet Government of Russia.


upon the Soviet authorities by Sec
retary Hughes. The State Depart
ment was advised to-day that the
communication has been handed to
the Soviet representative at Reval by
Consul Albrecht.
The text Of the communication has
not been made public, however. 1t
| is understood to be brief insist
ence that the Americans be released
| before there can be an thought Of
better relations between the United
States and Russia. The action was
taken in the name Of humanity and
because all efforts to secure the re-
| lease Of the Americans made through
DR.. Nansen, OF the Red Cross, have
failed.
What course will be taken by the
United States If the Soviet authori-
ties ignore or refuse to accede to the
demand was not Indicated.
The communication was sent TO
Consul Albrecht on July 25. The de-
.''sAN Hitt"S opoi thS NuoSldU
tiles for the release Of American pris-
oners is the first official representa-
ton made on the subject, although
Lenine and TrotSky and their asso-
ciates have been previously advised
informally Of the determination of
the United States not to consider any
closer relations with Russia until
this was done
The dispatch of the communication
was timed SO that it would reach
The Russians approximately smulta-
neously with the message sent by
Secretary Hoover in response TO the
appeal made by Maxim Gorky. The
State Departments message is re-
garded officially as wholly independ-
ent Of the Hoover-Gorky correspond
ence, although it is admitted that it
Will serve TO strengthen the attitude
taken by Secretary Hoover, who made
1t clear in his message that any re-
lief by the United States for the suf-
fering Russians would depend large
ly upon the manner in which Amerl-
cans in Russia are treated.
There are now held as prisoners
In Russia eight or ten Americans. A
larger number are believed to be de-
Gained within the borders of Russia,
some OF whom are restricted to lin
tied areas. Within those areas they
are permitted to come and go. but
always under surveillance, and with
the understanding that the efforts
to extend their movements will re-
suit in closer confinement.
The demand Of Secretary Hughes
was intended for Maxim Litvinoff, the
chief OF the Soviet legations abroad,
but in his absence 1t was handed to
Minister Stark. The tcxt of the
American Secretary of States COM
munication reads:
THE American government Is ad-
vised that, despite the repeated eff
forts Of Dr.. Nansen on it's behalf to
secure the release OF the American
prisoners in Russia. they are still
held in most serious plight.
I'm the name Of humanity the
American government demands of
the Soviet authorities that these
prisoners be at once released. It is
manifestly impossible for the Ameri-
can authorities to countenance meas
ures for the relief of the distress in
Russia while our citizens are de-
tained."
Demand Has Been Received.
Riga. Russia, July 27.-An off,
cial demand by Secretary Of State
Hughes for the release of the Ameri-
can prisoners in Russia was handed
by Consul Abrecht to Leonard Stark,
the 'Bolshevik minister here, last
night
Maxim Gorky, it was learned to-
day, has telegraphed to Joe Miller.
head Of The American Rolief Mission,
saying the communication Of Her.
bert Hoover as head Of relief COM
mission in regard to American relief
for i'll and starving people Of Russia
would be answered in detail.
Release Of the Americans held as
prisoners in Russia was laid down by
Secretary Hoover in his recent cable
message to Gorky as the prime con-
dition upon which American relief
measures for Russia would be taken
up.
More than score of Americans
still are being held prisoner in Soviet
RnScin acnnrdi,nu To ho lnt INF