SOVIET STEPS IN

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 93, 21 April 1933, Page 9

SOVIET STEPS IN

LOST RUSSIAN CHILD

PASSPORT TROUBLE

The twelve-year-old Russian child, Galina Bogatiroff, who was found in Stretensk, Siberia, through the efforts of the Bed Cross after having been lost trace of since she was a few months old, is finding difficulty in returning to her family. Her parents reside at Foxtcm. Negotiations have been in train for a considerable time for the child to leave Russia and come to New Zealand, but recent correspondence from the secretary of tho League of Bed Cross Societies, Paris (Mr. Ernest J. bwiit) indicates that trouble is being raised by tho Soviet Government/ on tho question of a passport. Early, in tho proceedings, when the child had been found after long search, the representative of tho International Bed Cross in Moscow (M. Wehrlin) considered that Galina would be permitted to travel under a British passport, which it was thought could bo obtained without difficulty, and at small cost. Now it is stated that the girl, having been born in Russia—from which her parents fled from the terror of the Russian revolution —is considered to be a Bussian subject. Tho price quoted for this passport by tho Soviet "Intounst —which has the monopoly of travel arrangements out of Russia—is absolutely prohibitive for tho Bed Cross Society, being approximately 300 dollars". This is a great deal more than the expenses of the. journey from Siberia to New Zealand. HIGH COMMISSIONER'S HELP. Mr. Swift stated in his letter that tho High Commissioner for New Zealand in London (Sir "homas Wilford) had been approached in an effort to secure help in tho matter of a necessary document for entry to the Dominion. Aid was not forthcoming immediately, however, although .the High Commissioner promised to seek a definite ruling from the Home Office. At the time of writing, "March 1, no report had been received by the "League of Red Cross Societies. • The British Ambassador in: Moscow (Mr. A. H. Hamilton-Gordon) had also been approached. The Ambassador replied that it could not be held that Galina was a British subject, but that it would be possible, if the U.S.S.R. authorities had no objection, for a British passport to be issued to her for the purposes of tho journey. _ It seems doubtful whether such permission will be given. If it is not, the cost of paying for the passport will seriously hamper the Red Cross efforts to restore tho child to her family. COST OF THE JOURNEY. Mr.. Swiftj- wrote: "Wo have been trying in several different .directions to' get an idea of the approximate cost of the 'journey. ■ As travel through Manchuria —which would have been the most direct route —is at present obviously impossible, I presume that Galina would need to embark at Vladivostok. The third-class full railway faro from Stretensk to Vladivostok ig about £15. From Vladivostok to Yokohama the boat journey would cost 173 yen in second-class, or Hi in third class. From Yokohama to Auckland, via Sydney, the full fare cost in thirdclass would be approximately £37 10s. In addition to this amount the charge for passport, visas, etc., must be considered. It is impossible to tell in advance how much there would bo_ if Galina is -obliged to obtain a Bussian passport,- although the prico quoted by 'Intourist' is approximately 3.00 dollars. This is absolutely prohibitive." Mr. Swift stated that the League was doing everything possible to further the child's return to her parents. NEW ZEALAND'S PART. . In conversation, with a "Post" reporter this morning, the secretary of the Bed Cross in New Zealand (Mr. M. S. Galloway) stated that tho society here had done its part. Tho Russian Government alone was holding rip progress. Sufficient money was available to pay for tho journey, but tho passport trouble was likely to prove a considerable handicap. Tho Bed Cross had proved itself a satisfactory avenue —indeed the only suitablo avenue —in which to carry on negotiations such as this. Being an international organisation, it was able to bring to success such matters as the finding of Galina Bogatiroff, a matter which would be well nigh .impossible for other bodies. It ~was an extremely difficult matter to negotiate with foreign people, and thcro was no body better able to do it than the Red Cross. In the meantime it could only be hoped that a successful arrangement could be come to in regard to the passport. It \yas distressing after the success which had rewarded the society's efforts, that this difficulty should now arise. ■