811.20261/68: Telegram
The Chargé in Sweden (Wheeler) to the Acting Secretary of State
[Received July 15, 8:55 a.m.]
3988. My telegram 3977 of July 7, 4 p.m. Following telegram has been received here by Lomonossoff from Soviet Government.
[Page 189]“Referring radio of July 6, we have nothing to add to what we repeatedly stated to Lomonossoff. Kalamatiano committed highest crime against Soviet state, was properly tried according to Russian revolutionary law, is still regarded dangerous to Soviet Russia and cannot be set free unpunished. His exchange against Lomonossoff never formed subject of any note to the American Government or of conversation between you and Mr. Tchicherin or Litvinov. Gruzenberg had no authority whatever negotiate or make proposals on behalf of Commissariat Foreign Affairs. We were not aware that Lomonossoff ever wished to leave America and was prevented therefrom, on contrary Krassin55 desired him to stay in America.
We noted with satisfaction assurance of American Government that statement of Martens’ arrest is untrue.56 Although technically a German, Martens spent most of his life and was educated in Russia, took active part in Russian politics, regarded himself and was regarded by others as Russian. The Soviet Government is glad to be relieved of the necessity of making reprisals against American citizens. We have no record Burri or Leonard mentioned in your radio. As to Consul Tredwell, he was arrested by the Turkistan Soviet in consequence of imprisonment of Soviet Commissariat on [in] the Caucasus by the Allies and the Russian Commissariat for Foreign Affairs did its best to have him released immediately after the way from Turkistan to Moscow was reopened. We would observe in conclusion that the American Government having now officially associated itself with Koltchak, Denikin, and thereby made itself responsible for their unheard of atrocities, wholesale massacres, burning alive of prisoners on barges, public flogging of women, should hardly feel qualified to reproach the Soviet Government for hardship caused to a few individuals, (signed) The People’s Commissariat for Foreign Affairs.”
Lomonossoff has handed Legation written statement which is in part as follows:
“Regarding myself in the same position as that of Mr. Tredwell, I am again appealing to you to grant me the opportunity to proceed to Moscow to my Government, or to return to the United States to my family. Mr. Tredwell was Consul in Russian Turkistan. After some trouble he was permitted to return to America. I was representing the Russian Ministry of Ways of Communication in America with the power of Minister. After the United States Government had ceased to regard me as such, I was for a whole year denied the credentials that would make it possible for me to leave Sweden for Soviet Russia. I am appealing to the traditional American spirit of fair play and justice. Mr. Tredwell’s departure from Russia was not conditioned, therefore as a matter of reciprocity, I take the liberty to insist upon your granting me unconditional opportunity for a safe passage to Soviet Russia.”
The Legation does not believe Finland will grant Lomonossoff visa except at our official request. As the permission given him to remain in Sweden expires August 1st, and in view of Department’s telegram 1581 of March 27 noon, I have the honor to request instructions.