The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-04-26
POSSIBLE RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR

A DvIsERS close to the President have re-
"A ported that if Russia is recognized, Pro-
fessor Jerome Davis of Yale university may
be sent there as ambassador. Who is Jerome
Davis and what are his qualifications?
He is one Of the foremost experts on Rus
sian affairs in the United States While the
car still was in power, he went to Russia
along with Ambassador Francis, who had been
appointed by President Wilson Dr. Davis
Immediately was placed in charge CT all pris-
oners of war in Turkestan
While there he became acquainted with
General Kuropatkin, commandment chief of
the Russian army in the japanese war Of 1904.
Finding that the soldiers were treated mis-
erably, DR.. Davis secured the permission of
the general to open Y. M. c. A. unit
After the revolution and while Kerensky
was in power, President Wilson sent the Root
diplomatic mission to Russia. This commits
sion came in contact with some of the SOL
diers who were loud in their praises Of the
work Of DR.. Davis in Turkestan. The Root
mission Immediately wired him to come to
St Petersburg He was placed in charge Of
all Y. M. c. A. work in Russia
His work in establishing Y M C. A. huts
along 1900 miles of battle front was so COM
pletely acceptable that Secretary of War New
ton D. Baker asked him to remain in Russia
for duration of the conflict. Although he was
opposed to Communism the value of his work
was recognized even by the Bolsheviks. Lenin
personally gave him an autographed photo
graph.
After the arnlistice DR. Davis returned to
the United States, speaking widely against
further intervention in Russian affairs He
believed that this military adventure could
not be successful and merely would create
and validate claims against the United States
government at international law
At the time this position demanded great
courage, for public opinion was hostile to an
impartial analysis of the Russian situation.
History, however, completely has indicated
his attitude
Because of his command Of the Russian
language and his knowledge of Russian af-
fairs, he was appointed by the Inter Church
World Movement to make study of the Rus
slams in the United States. His findings were
published in two volumes, 1.-THE Russian I'M
migrant" and THE Russians and Ruthenians
in the United States"
In 1921, at the time of the famine DR.
Davis proposed that America extend relief to
the starving peoples of Russia Various bust
ness leaders declared that much relief would
be unacceptable to Lenin
DR.. Davis made an emergency trip to Rus
STA, found that the American relief would
be welcomed, and reported back to Secretary
Hoover.
Beginning in 1921, DR.. Davis joined the de-
partment of sociology at Dartmouth college.
In 1924 he was called to the chair of prac-
tical philanthropy at Yale university where he
has been ever since.
In the summer of 1928 he went to Russia
one of the first Americans to have an ex-
tended interview with Stain.
In 1927, after attending the meetings of
the International Chamber of Commerce at
Stockholm, DR.. Davis flew into Russia with
Edward A. Filene, well-kuown business leader
of Boston. At this time he interviewed Stain
for five hours and syndicated series of ar
ticles for the N E. A. newspaper service in
America
Because of his knowledge of Russian af-
fairs he has done extensive expert consultative
work on Russia and has contributed the yearly
article on Russia for the annual of the En-
cyclopedia Americana. He also has addressed
the national meeting of the American Acad-
envy of Political and Social Science in 1924,
1926. 1927, 1923 and 1881, usually ON Russian
problems or issues related thereunto.
In 1882 he was chosen to head distin-
guished group Of social scientists visiting Rus
STA. They travelled more than 5000 miles in
Russia, going freely wherever they wished.