stefansson-wrangel-09-32-053v

310 THE ADVENTURE OF WRANGEL ISLAND

STEFANSSON’S 12 ESQUIMAUX HELD IN CHINA

Ejected from Wrangel Island by Russians; Appeal to
Washington

By John T. Lambert

Washington, Jan. 1.—Ejected from Siberia, destitute and help-
less, the twelve Esquimaux surviving from those who were taken
from Wrangel Island by Soviet officials are prisoners in China
to-day.

This latest episode in the continued persecution of the band was
reported in a cable received by Secretary of State Hughes from the
American consul at Harbin. . . .

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A Soviet ice-breaking ship, the Red October, took the Esquimaux
from the island in last September, carried them past their Alaskan
homes and deposited them 1,000 miles south of Vladivostok.

The English consul there advised this country that the entire
band, although penniless, was later ordered to leave Siberia. He
said funds were needed for them. There were five women and five
children in the party. One of the children died of tuberculosis.
Captain Wells was reported to be desperately ill.

The cable received by Secretary Hughes states that they are in
Manchuria, detained at Sui Fen Ho by the Chinese, who demand
the assurance of payment of transportation expenses from China
before they will allow them to proceed to Harbin.

How the Esquimaux reached Sui Fen Ho is unknown to the State
Department. Earlier advices said that the Russian officials had
ordered them out of Siberia. Wells is believed to be still in
Vladivostok.

The State Department says it will take up their plight with the
American Red Cross “for the purpose of learning whether any relief
can be obtained for them.”

. . . Because of its refusal to recognize Russia, the State Depart-
ment is without official representation in Siberia. First advices of
the destitute condition of the little band were received from consuls
whom the Government of Great Britain had sent there to protect
the interests of subjects of that country. . . .

(New York, N. Y., American, January 2, 1925.)

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