DEFECTION BY RUSSIANS

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27613, 21 March 1955, Page 11

DEFECTION BY RUSSIANS

Crew Of Soviet Tanker (N-Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Bee. 19 pm.) WASHINGTON. Mar. 19. The Udted States haa decided to grant asylum to about 26 Soviet seamen who deserted their ship after tt woo seised off Formosa by the Chinese Natfonaltets, the American Associated Press reported today. The agency said it had been learned that the Attorney-General (Mr Herbert Brownell) was ready to lift present immigration barriers and admit the men. The action was expected to provoke a heated protest from Moscow, which has been demanding the return of the men, together with their ship. The seamen are part of a 48-man crew, captured last June by Nationalist destroyers when they seized the Soviet tanker, Tuapse, as it sailed for Communist China. It was understood that the Tuapse, and the remaining members of the crew, who have chosen to stay with their ship, will be turned over to the Soviet authorities within a few weeks. The ship and all the crew are now in Chinese Nationalist custody. KTn* American Associated Press said of State (Mr Dulles) was lave argued in favour of s 20 Soviet deserters to lates. He felt such action rage other Soviet sailors id would tend to make sy about the loyalty of its vice. migration laws bar the e United States of Communists and former Communists, but the Attorney-General has the right to waive this restriction when he believes it would serve the national interest.