The New York herald., 1921-07-31
RUSSIA TO RELEASE
AMERICAN CAPTIVES
IN RETURN FOR FOOD
Reds Accept HOOver's Offer
and Make Plea for
Speedy Famine
Relief.
NEGOTIATIONS URGED
Senator France Returns and
Would Have Z. S. Trade
With SOviets to Ex-
pand Business.
SEES NEW DEVELOPMENT
Asserts Country Can Never
Backslide Into Radical
Communism Again;
Frees Prisoner.
SEES NEW DEVELOPMENT
BIZ The Associated Press.

agreed to release American prisoners
and to accept famine aid from the
American Relief Association Just at
the moment that United States Sena-
tor Joseph I. France of Maryland has
returned from Moscow determined to
advocate renewal of trade relations
and perhaps diplomatic relations be-
tween Russia and the United States
and bringing with him one of the
prisoners, Mrs. Marguerite e. Harri-
son of Baltimore, who was freed by
his efforts at Moscow.
The acceptance of Herbert Hoover's
offer was noted in despatch from
the Rosta News Agency of Moscow,
received here to-day. The text of the
reply made in the name Of Leo Kem-
eneff, head of the Non-Partisans Non
Political Famine Relief Committee, is
as follows:
"The Russian Government, upon
learning of the proposals made by
Herbert Hoover in the name OF the
American Relief Association, finds
them quite acceptable, including the
question Of the release of American
citizens.
| THE Russian Government considers
it necessary to fix as soon as possible
the exact conditions on which the i'm
mediate relations are to begin
Its humane intentions guarantee
the feeding. medical aid and clothing
of the million children and invalids.
For this purpose the Russian Govern
ment considers it useful that Director
Brown or any other person authorized
for the negotiations should immedi-
ately come to Moscow. Riga or Reval.
THE Russian Soviet Government
expects a quick reply stating the place
and time for the negotiations.
"KAMENErr.s
France IL Enthusiastic.
Senator France. who entered Russia
several weeks ago sceptical of the ad-
vantage of immediate diplomatic re-
lations with the Soviets, but believing
that trade relations were advisable,
has returned an ardent enthusiast for
both.
While American officials in the
Baltic are specializing as to what ef-
feet the release of the prisoners and
the entrance OF the American Relief
Association into Russia will have in
clearing up the Russian situation,
Senator France declared that the
Lenine Government was starting a
new line of development in Russia.
which cannot backslide into radical
communism again."
In reply 10 a question as 70 whether
the Moscow Bolsheviki were trying To
revolutionize the world. including the
United States. Senator France said. "I
know nothing about the Third Interna-
tionale. But no man worthy OF any att
tention ever believed that propaganda
could start revolutions. Conditions are
not propaganda history shows"
The Senator talked with Lenine and
Trotzky and was impressed by them.
II found that the Russian Govern
ment is handling the situation in a
statesmanlike way" he said 'Lenine
Is much interested in American rela-
tions. All the Russian factories have
not ceased operating: many are work.
ing well. They are short OF raw ma
terial. but that is not their fault The
peasants are working the lands and the
farms are prosperous where they are
not IN the famine and drought belt"
Sees Plenty of Exports.
The Senator mentioned furs AZ one Of
the possible products OF trade with the
United States and asserted there would
be plenty OF exports when the factories
were equipped and agricultural needs
were supplied from abroad He thought
commission OF American experts
would be welcomed but contended that
( Russia should have the right to send one
to America also
"I am convinced that Russia will
carry out any guarantee or concessions
made in return for credit the Senator
declared
Describing his visit. he said he was
free 10 move about and see what he
liked. and the officials frankly admitted
bad conditions where they existed.
In statement tonight Senator
France said
AFTER three weeks ueNCted TO ABOUT
the hardest work | ever expect to do.
literally hiled with interviews with the
executives Of the Central Government OF
Moscow, with the examination OF records
and so far "a the limited time permitted.
with personal investigation OF basic con-
ditions. | can confirm the impression
had on entering that the United states
should Immediately resume trade relA-
tions with Russia. W
My own belief is that the resumption
should be Of diplomatic relations. but I