Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-04-19
Bakhmetef May
Soon Resign Post
Continued from Page One

Continued from Page One
war. Something like 500, 900, 900 Of
this money passed into the hands Of
Mr.. Bakhmetcff as the representative
of Russia in this country before the
fall of the government which he repre-
sentcd.
Some Of it went for the payment of
munitions of war ordered by Russia in
this country. either bought or con-
, tracted for before Kerensky's fall. Some
of it has been spent on maintaining the
embassy here, for naturally Mr.. Bakh-
mcteff received no money from home
! after Lenine rose to power. Some OF
it has probably been spent upon
Kcrensky propaganda, some OF it is
| understood to have been invested here.
| The whole transaction is in vague
state. II is not likely that rcvolu-
tionary Russia will ever recognize the
debt. for Mr.. Bakhmetef certainly did
not turn his balance over to the new
Government when Kerensky fell.
Mr.. Bakmctcff has been sort Of an
outward and visible symbol Of this loan.
1t took OH almost personal character.
| II Bakhmeteff ceased TO be Russia for
| Washington purposes. some sort of ac-
ton would have to be taken about this
debt. 1t would have to be written of, ,
or at least explained in detail. Con-
sress would begin to ask questions
about it.
BakI,meten Skillful
Moreover. the very hostility Of the
Administration to the Soviet Govern
mcnt made it easier to maintain the
| fiction that an anti Soviet Ambassador
represented Russia.
Mr.. Bakhmeteff is man Of ability
and skill. Part Of his success must
have been personal. for he put over
what no one else has ever succeeded in
putting over, the continuance OF an
ambassadorinl state long after the Gov
ernment which he represented had
of a puzz!ing debt were not sufficient to
explain that phenomenon.
The Wilson Administration estab-
lishcd the Russian in his peculiar status.
Mr.. Hughes inherited him and made no
change. Remaining at his post under
two Administrations, an Ambassador
without a country. he has doubtless had
a marked influence upon this Govern
luents Russian policy.
Were 'information needed by the
State Department regarding Russia, Mr.
Bakhmeteff could always supply it,
coming by grapevine, probably through
the counter revolutionary groups in
Paris.
Situation Near End
It has been obvious recently that this
situation was drawing to close. The
Administration here has been con-
vinced that Russia, through it's ahan-
donment of the extremes of communism.
has been working toward meeting the
conditions which Mr.. Hughes laid down
in his notes as preliminary to resump-
ton Of relations.
As the prospects of European recog-
milton of Russia increased. the Admin
istration has reached the conclusion that
1t cannot lag behind. Russia repre-
sents a great trade opportunity.
Mr.. Bakhmctef has been the victim
recently of two unfortunate incidents,
one was the Borah committee request
that he appear as n witness, the other
was the introduction of SemenOv, the
Cossack brigand at the State Depart
ment. Mr.. Hughes declined to see the
COssack unless presented by the Am
bassador of his country, and MIR. Bakh-
metef kindly stood sponsor for him.
1t il understood that the details of
some kind Of financial statement or set
t'ement have been under consideration
for some time. When they are COM
pleted Mr.. Bakhmeteif will be free, u
events move as they promise 60 do, to
efacc himself.