Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1921-07-30


Offers
Plans Made To Free
All Americans Held
In Prison - Woman
First Released
Riga. July 30.-The offer OF
Herbert Hoover to aid Russia in
relieving suffering due to famine
on condition that all Americans
now held prisoners in Russia be
released, has been accepted by the
Russian authorities, who suggest
immediate negotiations In order to
realize speedy assistance, accord
ing to a dispatch from the Rosta
News Agency of Moscow received
here today.
The text Of the reply, made in
the name of Leo Kameneff, head
of the non-partisan, non-political
famine relief committee, is as fol-
lows:
Release Is Promised.
THE Russian government, up
on learning of the proposals made
by Herbert Hoover, in the name
OF the American relief association,
finds them quite acceptable, in
Guiding the question of the release
of American citizens.
THE Russian government con-
siders it necessary to fix as soon
as possible the exact conditions ON
which the immediate relations are
to begin.
''Its humane intentions guaran-
tee the feeling, medical aid and
care of the million children and
invalids. For this purpose the
Russian government considers it
useful that Director Brown or any
person authorized for the negotia-
tions should Immediately come to
Moscow, Riga or Reval.
Quick Reply Expected.
"The Russian soviet govern
ment expects quick reply, stat
ing the place and time for nego-
tiations.
(Signed) "KAMENEFF."
M. Kameneff's reply was sent to
Maxim Gorky, and to the soviet
mission in London for delivery
there through the American relief
organization according to the local
bolshevik legation.
The acceptance by Russia of the
demand for the release of the
American prisoners did not come
as a surprise to the local soviet
authorities Notwithstanding the
outspoken criticisms of the United
States for raising he prisoner ques-
tion in a time of famine. The So
Wet officials are understood TO be-
lieve that their acceptance will
not only bring the needed famine
relief, but also open channels of
future relations between Russia
and America.
1he American government. rep
resentatives in Riga consider the
note of Leo Kemeneff announcing
acceptance Of the American con-
ditions for famine relief as consti-
tuting also an answer to the de-
mand made by Secretary of State
Hughes for the release of Ameri-
can prisoners in Russia.
Mrs. Marguerite Harrison of
Baltimore, a newspaper CORE
spondent who was among She
American citizens held prisoner in
Russian, has been released by the
soviet authorities and arrived here
this morning.
The release of Mrs. Harrison
was secured through United States
Senator Joseph L. French OF Mary
land, who has been on a visit to
soviet Russia investigating condi-
tions there and it was under his
escort that Mrs. Harrison reached
here today, the senator having
concluded his Russian visit.
Mrs. Harrison is pale and thin.
but not in a particularly bad con-
dition as the result OF her impris-
onment.
Senator France expressed sur
prise at the announcement iustre-
ceiyed from Moscow that Russia
had agreed to release the Ameri-
can prisoners. 1T had nol decided
at all that way when l left," said
the senator.
Senator frances trip was an in
teresting one. he reported.
Il still favor trade relations
with Russia" the senator de-
clared.
He would not have anything
further to say in this connection.
he added. until he had an oppor-.
tunity TO obtain some rest. as ne
was much fatigued. He said that
while in Moscow be had seen
fCoutfoued On maze ~