361.1121/18: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Steinhardt)
1140. Reference is made to your 1313 of July 8, 2 p.m., in which Lozovski stated that the Soviet Government was prepared to release several American citizens including Devenis. This statement was a part of the agreement under which this Government permitted Ovakimian to leave the United States. Reference is also made to your 1374 of July 18, 5 p.m., and your [our] 967 of August 13, 4 p.m.,16 in which the Commissariat for Foreign Affairs stated that the present whereabouts of Devenis is unknown and that it assumed that he was in Vilna when that city was occupied by the Germans.
The Department has now been informed by Mrs. Devenis that she has received word through what appears to be a reliable source that her husband was removed from Vilna on June 16 and was destined for Kotlas Batalion Wozkut Peslag in the Archangel region.17 His case number was 1763.
You are authorized in your discretion to convey to the Soviet authorities the information above given regarding the departure of Devenis from Vilna and his destination. Please request them to investigate and in the event that Devenis is found to take immediate action to effect his release in accordance with their agreement.