Evening star., 1947-08-03
u. 5. 10 Forward Plea
For Arrests in Posting
Of Anti-Russian Signs

State Department officials said
last night they would pass on to the
Metropolitan police within a few
days a request by the Russian en-
bassy for the arrest of two men who
posted anti-Russian signs at the
Embassy here last Thursday.
Meanwhile, police last night re-
leased man they identified as Sid
ney L. Pogostin, 20, Air Forces vet
eran, who was arrested early yester
day morning. They said he was at
tempting to paint signs on the drive
way at the British embassy.
In the Russian case, the State
Department expressed regret to the
Soviet Embassy after receipt of a
note from Michael S. Vavilov, first
secretary. Mr.. Vavilov protested
the action of four men who placed
signs around the building. He asked
the State Department to see. that
two of them were "apprehtnded and
brought to justice"
Editor and Cleric Named.
Don Lohbeck, editor of the Cross
and Flag Magazine, organ of the
Christian Youth for America. and
the Rev. Kenneth Gof1, of Denver,
national director of the same organ
ization, were the two men named.
They were among four who posted
on the walls of the embassy and
the trees in front of the building
signs reading Closed! Rat In
fested," Murder, Inc" and "For
Owners Leaving Soon"
They said the, signs were advertis-
ing for a speech by Gerald L. K.
Smith in the Sylvan Theater at the
Monument Grounds at 7:30 o'clock
tonight.
Expresses Regrets.
Michael McDermott, State De-
partmept press officer, said the note
to the Russian Embassy had ex-
pressed regret at the incident and
assured the Russians that the
Metropolitan police would be
notified of the Russian request He
explained that the State Depart
ment has no power to seek war
rants, but can only bring the mat
ter to the attention of police.
Pogostin, who gave his address as
5704 Eighth street NV, was ar
rested by Policeman William Weis-
becker, who reported that he saw
five men carrying buckets of blue
paint and brushes run into the
driveway of the British Embassy
about 2:30 am. yesterday. The
officer said he chased them and
caught Pogostin, who answered all
questions only with Il don't know"
Police were convinced that the
act was part of pre-arranged
scheme when reporters came of anti
British slogans appearing on British
consular buildings in four other
cities.
Incidents In Other Cities.
In Baltimore members of the
British consulate went to work
Will hCLOSCl1C W IclIlONS SlOSdl1S
painted on the consulate in large
red letters reading, British Ape
Nazis," and "Hozanna, Fights On" j"
An 18-inch swastika was painted
on the front door.
The building also bore the words
Exodus, 1877" the new name of
the former Chesapeake Bay liner
President Warfield which was re-
Gently seized on its way to Palestine
in the role of Jewish refugee ship.
Two youths were arrested in Phil
adelphia when police surprised
them smearing slogans and swatikas
on the Philadelphia Savings Fund
Society Building which houses the
British consulate.
In New York, the Nazi colors of
red, black and white were painted
during the night on the walls and
doorways of the New York Building
where the British maintain a con-
sulate.
Signs also appeared on the British
consulate building in Chicago