South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-03-27
Wife Fights to Free L. S. Attache Held
Three Years by Leni1e; Prisoner Once
Student at CuIUpr Military Academy


SAN FRANCISCO March IL
One OF the most delicate problems
confronting the new administration
and involving the fate Of a distin-
guished American citizen. is the
case OF Xenophon Kalamatiano.
commercial attache 20 the 1913 II.
S. consulate IN Russia. who for three
years has been a political prisoner
OF Lenlne-
Action exerted through the for
mer state department was IN effect
uaI. but. believing that all expe-
dents have not been exhausted. Mrs.
Katherine Kalamatiano relies upon
Secretary Hughes 70 make renewed
efforts TO have her husband liber-
ated.
Torn with anxiety worn with
ceaseless endeavors. and practically
destitute, Mrs. Kalamatiano. who
lives with her young son. made pub
lie the details Of her husbands I'm
prisOnment and her own experiences
scarcely less tragic than his, as
she tells the story.
Wen known in Z. s.
KalamatianO attended school at
Bloomington, III. went 20 Culver
Military Academy in Indiana for a
year. graduated from the University
Of Chicago, was professor Of Ian
guages, and then went TO Russia 70
represent American business firms
prior TO his consular attachment at
the beginning Of the bolshevik re-
giu.e.
In 1913. when the soviet agita-
tion against foreigners was at its
height. he. together with many 9TH
ers. was arrested fin connection with
the celebrated Lockhart Grenar
case. charged with anti bolshevik
activities, and condemned TO death.
The sentence was later commuted.
Prompt action by the British and
French governments resulted in the
liberation OF Lockhart. English dip
lomatic emissary and Grenar.
French consuI-general, through an
exchange of prisoners. The Amer
lean government. however, seemed
unable 20 free it's attache. and to-
day he ia the last % foreign repre-
sentatives then arrested who is still
in custody.
Held as Pawn.
This. asserts his wife, is because
the bolsheviki regard him as an i'm
portant hostage whose official con-
uection makes him "A desirable pawn
in the soviet governments hands.
They have proposed his release in
return for liberation of men they
term political prisoners I'm Amer
lea" according TO Mrs. Kalamatiano.
Only the most meager informa-
ton about him has reached his
wife, whose wauderings with her
son from Moscow through Siberia
and finally to America form a SOM
her accompaniment 10 Kalamatia-
nos experiences. The latest report
was conveyed TO her by Washing
ton r. Vanderlip. who. during his
recent Russian trip. was permitted
10 interview the attache in his cell
at Moscow.
My husband" says Mrs. Kala-
matiano. doesn't seem to have been
rnistreated. but his health appar-
entity is badly broken, and he is Won
dering if his country has forgotten
him.
He placed duty above personal
safety. above his family, above
everything else. for America. Now
America owes IL TO herself as we'll
as to him TO do her utmost for this
her servant in g. dark hour.
Wife Urges Action.
Neither he nor I would want
anything Gone 20 create a stumbling
block I'm the path Of better rela-
tons between the American and
Russian people. That was always
my husbands great dream and first