Russians Fail

Ruin caught up last week with the Russian artists, who are exhibiting at the Grand Central Palace, Manhattan (TIME, March 3). Their hope had been to raise $100,000 for the needy artists of Russia. They have, instead, run up debts to the amount of $30,000. They have also antagonized the Soviet Government and failed in certain obligations.

When the scheme was first outlined, the artists directly obtained the permission of the Russian Commissariat of Education on the understanding that the Russian Red Cross was to receive 10% of the profits. Thereupon, the artists set out from Moscow, accompanied by Alexander I. Bukhareff, of the Commissariat of Education. But the American Consul at Riga refused to vise the passport of the last named gentleman, so the artists, with 900 pictures, continued unchaperoned.

That they were in need of chaperonage seems apparent from their immediate affiliation in this country with Count Ilyia Tolstoy, Prince Felix Yusupov and other recognized Tsarists. They also ignored their obligation to the Russian Red Cross.

The expedition had been financed by I. D. Sytin, a wealthy Russian newspaper man. When his funds were gone, they availed themselves of the generosity of Charles R. Crane, former American Minister to China, who advanced them $15,000.

Here they are stranded, with large debts, high living expenses, practically expatriated, and paintings which so far are said to have realized only $2,000.

Said Artist Somoff: "For all our efforts we have only debts."

Said Artist Grabar: "We do not know what to do."