The New York herald., 1922-06-05
BAKHMETEFF QUITS
AS RUSSIAN ENVOY
TO U.S.ON JUNE 50
Action Announced by Sec'y-
Hughes Is Regarded as i
Voluntary. ~
GOVERNMENT RELIEVED
Ambassador to Leave Coun-,
try, Intrusting Affairs
to Financial Attache. A
FUND CHARGES REFUTED
Report by Mellon Describes
Liquidation Of Claims as
Notable Achievement. !.
FUND CHARGES REFUTED
'pecsai Dispatch to THE Nnw Yonk HrnAtD.


New York Herald Bureau.
Washington. ID. C.. June 4.
Secretary Hughes announced to- I
night the retirement of Boris Bakh. 4
meter, the Russian Ambassador to
the United States since 1917 and for
many months a storm center Of at
tack. The recognition of his creden-
tials by the State Department wiY
end on June 80
Copies of correspondence ma -
public by Mr.. Hughes represent the
action to be voluntary by Mr.. Bakh-
meteff, although there is no mistak-
ing the fact that it will be one of
general relief to American officials.
Mr.. Bakhmeteff, taking cognizanee
of an attack made on him recently I
in the Senate. inquired of the State I
Department IL it would not be well 4
for him to wind up his affairs and 4
leave the country. Mr.. Hughes re-
piled that he believed a change would
be desirable in view of the misun-
derstandings and particularly so
since Mr.. Bakhmeteff's work as GUS
todian Of Russian funds in America
virtually had ended.
Mellon Approves Financing. Z
In making public the corresponds
ence, Mr.. Hughes at the same time
published a letter from Secretary
Mellon showing that the Treasury
Department. approves the way in
which the Russian funds have been
administered by Mr.. Bakhmeteff. The
letter is held by officials to be COM
plete refutation of the charges in the
Senate that the funds were improp.
erly used. Mr.. Mellon went into de-
tail in describing the settlement Of
$102,000,000 in various claims held
by Americans, which. he declared,
had been notable achievement"
Secretary Hughes in announcing
the change in Russian representa-
tion states that the change has moth
ing to do with recognition of the
Soviet Government of Russia, which
is referred to as quite another
thing"
While Mr.. Bakhmeteff's retirement
is represented as being voluntary,
there is little doubt the Government
Of the United States is considerably
relieved by the change, which also
relieves the State Department from
the necessity of explaining the rep-s
resentation by an Ambassador of a
Government which has not existed
since 1917.
Announced HIS Willingness.
Mr.. Bakhmeteff in his letter OF
April %, addressed to Secretary
Hughes. announcing his willingness 10
retire If the American Government
thinks it desirable" takes cognizance
Of the attacks which Senator Borah
has been making on him in the Senate
by saying:
"In view Of recent events think
It advisable to br forward once
more the subiec' IL ~ position as the
representativnaD1 in the United
States" ~
On April 20 Secretary Hughes re-
piled to Mr.. Bakhemteff, saying: AS
your continuance as Ambassador un-
Ger existing circumstances may give
rise to misunderstanding, / believe a
change in the present situation Is
desirable. and am glad TO be able TO
concur in your suggestion as TO how
this may be brought about"
Acting upon the suggestion of the
retiring Ambassador, Secretary Hughes
says: The custody of the property OF
the Russian Government in this coun-
try. for which you have been rsspon-
sible. will be considered to vest in Mr.
Serge Ughet, Financial Attache OF the
Embassy. Mr.. Ughet's diplomatic
status with this Government will not
be altered by the termination OF your
duties, and he Will continue to enjoy
the usual diplomatic privileges ano
immunities."
Ambassador's Gratitude.
Ambassador BalShmcteff announces he
plans To sail from this country soon
AFTER ClOaitlE W AAH aiAdAAo ac NHhode-
sador on June 30. In closing his letter
70 Secretary Hughes Mr. Bakhmeten
said
desire TO express also my grati-
tude for the good will and con-
sideration with which the United
States has treated my country.
America was first to welcome the
advent Of democracy in Russia and
to recognize the Provisional Govern
ment. Since then and throughout
Russia's great trial the United
States has evidenced deep and SYM
pathetic understanding OF Russla's
pr cess Of transformation and has
conserved unbroksn faith in tsss