Evening star., 1921-08-01
SECRETARY HOOVER
TAKES FIRST STEPS
IN RUSSIAN RELIEF
Cables European Director Of
American Administration
to Open Negotiations.
FOOD SHIPS READY TO SAIL
WHEN PLAN is COMPLETE
Release of All u. S. Prisoners Must
Be Accomplished Before
Parleys Can Open.

Secretary Hoover today cabled Wal
ter Lyman Brown. European director
of the American relief administration
at London. to proceed Immediately to
Riga and negotiate with Russian So
Wet authorities preparatory to relief
work in Russia.
The instructions of Mr.. Hoover
were sent on receipt of cablegram
from Maxim Gorky transmitting the
soviet governments acceptance Of the
American relief administrators offer
to fight famine among the children
and invalids of Russia
The cable to Mr.. Brown today re-
quested that he will assume the Amer
lean prisoners in Russia will have
been delivered out of that country as
demanded by the State Department
before discussions looking to food re-
lief are opened. The cable follows:
LAS to cable forwarded through you
from Mr.. Gorky Of July 2S, would be
glad ii you would proceed at once to
Riga. 1t is. of course. to be assumed
that the prisoners will have been de-
ivered out Of Russia as demanded by
the State Department before you open
discussions. You will recognize that
such a course is the most primary
evidence of willingness to assure life
and liberty of our staff. You will
please advise Messrs. Gorky and
Kaminen."
Gerky Makes Reply.
Maxim Gorky's reply to Mr.. Hoover's
offer of relief read: II have transmit
ted your proposal to the soviet gov
ernment. seeing that the soviet gov
ernment alone can discuss the con-
ditions contained therein. I have re-
ceived from the soviet government
the following reply for transmission
to you: The Russian government has
itself with the proposal OF
Mr.. Hoover. made in the name OF the
American relief administration. and
hnds this proposal quite acceptable as
to a basis including the relief OF the
American prisoners. -..-..., -. ~.
t-The Rnssian Siyesnment considers
It desirable as soeH as possibie TO nx
the precise conditions on whteh this
association will begin inmediate Fela-
TONS pf Its humane frtenttohs 70 .euar.
and clothing Of million children and
invalids. For that purpose the Russian
government would consider 1t useful
that Director Brown or another per.
son invested with full powers should
carry out negotiations and should % I'M n
Reval. The Russian soviet govern
ment awaits a speedy reply as to the
place and date Of these negotiations
The cablegram was signed by M Kan.
eneff, chairman of the commission of
the all-Russian central executive
stricken population. and by M. Gorky
Outside Assistance Vital.
Outside assistance is absolutely
necessary in Russia to save the lives
of millions of children and invalids,
officials indicated today.
The 1921 food crop has failed in
many. places and has been aggravated
by. a drought in the Volga valley;
which usually produces sufficient food
to feed its own Inhabitants and a sur
plus. Complete economic collapse OF
Russia is based upon failure of the
1921 crop. Inklings of what might
have been expected. however. 1t was
indicated. began to appear some time
ago when depopulation Of Russian
cities commenced. due to food shortage.
Food Could BE Sent at Once.
Mr.. Hoover said shipment Of food
supplies from Danzig could begin i'm
mediately upon conclusion OF satisfac-
tory negotiations between Mr.. Brown
and soviet authorities, and food could
be shipped into Russia Immediately,
beginning in a small way and grow
ing as the relief organization within
Russia expanded.
Mr. Hoover indicated there would
be no public appeal for funds in this
country to finance the Russian relief
work. as the American Relief Admin
istration had considerable resources on
hand and would probably be assisted
by other American organizations, four
of which are now working in Poland.
He said 1t would probably require be-
tween $3.50, 900 and s1.soo.ooo a
month to conduct the fight against
famine. In addition to food supplies
medical aid will be extended the
stricken Russian population.
Food shipments would probably first
be sent to the Petrograd 1rea. Mr..
Hoover said, as that district was the
most accessible.