The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-01-22
k|LPATR|CK HELD IN REPR|SAL BY
 REDS OF RUSSIA
Alabama Senators Will Deter mine Today Whether to Ask Congress to Instruct Pres
 ident to Take Action
By HUGH w. ROBERTS Washington Bursau Tho Ass-Heraid
 sou Davidson Buiiding

Washington, January 21.- Special. )-To force the Unit ed States to recognize the soviet government of Russia, and to release from the federal prison in Atlanta, Eugene V. Debs, socialist, convicted on charges of violating the espion- age act during time of war, the bolshevists of Russia hold as prisoner Capt. Emmet Kilpat- rick, an Alabama boy, at pres ent in the service of the Red Cross.
 This Is the sensational theory
 entertained by the state depart
 ment and expressed this afternoon
 to Senator Hefiin of Alabama. It
 is the assumption, furthermore.
 that the bolshevists arc additionally
 incensed because of the dcporta-
 ttOn of their American agent,
 Ludwig C. A. K. Martens. who sails
 from New York tonight.
 SILENT AS TO INSULT
 The state department has represented to Senators Underwood and Heflin and Senator Harrison of Mississippi, who has interested himself in the case be- cause brother of Captain Fitzpatrick resides in Gulfport that 1t is exerting every effort to secure the release of Fitzpatrick.
 Regarding the report which has aroused the American legion in Ala bama to such an extent that 1t has ap- pealed to the President to secure the release of Fitzpatrick. even if sending an army to Russia be necessary, that Fitzpatrick is being treated with cruelty and indignity. The state de partment declared itself of the opinion that Fitzpatrick is not confined, but is held in Moscow and required at stated intervals to report to police authority, Neither President Wilson nor the state department has given expression of opinion regarding the contention of the American legion that an insult to Fitzpatrick is an insult to the United States, and that 1t is as offensive to the United Seatas that Fitzpatrick is held as 1t would De were open in- dignity committed against the flag of the country.
 NOlNSCLl AllON IODA1
 There will be consuitnti0n to-
 morrow between Senators Under
 wood md HefliD for the purpose of
 reaching conclusion as to whether
 It would be wise to introduce n
 resolution under which Congress
 would formally request the Presi-
 dent to secure the release of the
 Alabama boy by whatever method
 fs proved to bc necessary. While
 such n resolution would prccipitate
 serious debate, it Is regarded as
 probable that 1t would be enacted
 into law.
 Tt is outrageous" said Senator Heflin this afternoon, that Fitzpatrick is held despite the representations of the state department. It is additionally outrageous that he IS held in accord ance with the theory of the state de- pertinent, because this government has not recognized the soviet govern ment, because 1t holds Debs confined on account of his inflammable course during the war, or because we have ordered Martens from the American shores. Unless there be favorable development in the immediate future. l will advocate positive action by Con gress.'
 DOING ITS BEST
 Senator Underwood stated tonight that it was his impression that the state department was doing what if could in the case and he was optimistic to the extent of believing that fayora- ble developments would be the result of present activity. Like Senator Hef- lin, however, he is insistent that noth- ing be. left undone to secure the mans release.
 Fitzpatrick, after serving in tn World war, enlisted in the Red Cross He was captured, In the American uni form. following the defeat of General Wrangel by the bolshevists.