The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-08-05
American Officials Want Proof
Soviet Prisoners Freed.
Report From Riga Believed
Only BOlshevik Propaganda.
FOOD SUPPLIES ALL PREPARED
Relief in Famine Area to Cost
S1,25O,OOO Monthly.
German Assistance VIII Be On
Independent Basis.

London, Aug. 5.-The American re-
lief officials in London are placing
little faith in the reports that the
American prisoners in Russia have
been released and now are leaving
that country.
THE word we received yesterday
was merely a Letvian newspaper re-
port forwarded by our representative
in Riga" said the secretary TO Walter
L. Brown. European director of the
relief administration, this morning.
I'VE are keeping a vigilant watch over
every possible exit the Americans
might take from Russia and none save
Mrs. Marguerite Harrison has come
thru.
This leads us to believe" he add
ed, that the Letvian report of their
relea-e must be a product of the Boil
sheviki propaganda organization.
Won't Go to Moscow.
Walter L. Brown. director of Ameri-
can relief in Europe, has declined the
soviets invitation to go to Moscow to
discuss in detail the plans and condi-
tions of Americas help to starving
disease-ridden millions in the interior.
Director Brown said today that he
was only going to Riga and would not
enter Russia proper unless something
Unforeseen develops. Headquarters for
the distribution of American food,
clothing and medicines will be estab-
lished at Riga.
According to present plans, the sup
plies at Riga will be taken over by the
soviet, which will distribute them thru
agencies created at Moscow. In that
event, no American relief workers will
so behind the Russian frontiers.
Supple Arc Hurried In.
Washington, Aug. 5.-Alherican re-
lief supplies may be moving into the
low
sia to relieve the famine and disease
victims before another week passes, II
the soviet Russian authorities fulfill
expectations and meet the relief aid
conditions laid down by Secretary
Hoover.
Walter Brown, director of relief in
Europe for the American relief ad-
ministraticn, due in Riga August 10,
will begin discussions Immediately
with the soviet representatives, II by
that time American prisoners now
said to have been released are out
side Russian. territory.
Cost S1,25O,0OO Per Month.
The relief Administrations stocks of
supplies both medical and foods, are
rangements also have been made to
facilitate the movement from other
points to points in Russia which may
be most easily reached.
probably not less IndH @I,GoO,uoO q
month will be spent in the United
States for supplies, including FOODS
like milk. fats and cereals of varieties
most suitable for the starving chill
dren.
Soviet CIaims Firm Hold.
The state department has received
a communication from M. Tchitcherln,
soviet foreign minister, denying re-
ports of widespread riots and revolts
thruout Russia, it was learned today.
The communication ststed that
while the famine in many Russian
provinces is serious, the Moscow gov
ernment has the situation well in
hand. The department did not make
public the message.
The message was not addressed
alone to the United States, it is un-
derstood, but as a general message to
the world giving the Russian famine
situation from the Moscow point of
view.
1t set forth, it is understood that
the famine is confined generally to
ten Russian provinces, having a to-
tai population of between $4,000. 900
and 20,00O,000.
Germany To Be Independent.
Berlin, Aug. 5.-Germany will con-
duct her work in relieving famine
sufferers in Russia independently of
other powers, it is officially announced
here.
About two hundred thousand tons
of grain must be available a special
dispatch from Moscow to the Rote-
fahne, has officially denied that soviet
government applied to the United
States, Great Britain or any other
YoIfnf