Hope that Walter Orloff, young Brooklyn, N. Y., medical student who has been under imprisonment for the past month on charges of communist activities, would be released soon was expressed to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency by George S. Messersmith, American Consul General here today. Mr. Messersmith’s statement came shortly after he had had a conference with the Nazi authorities.
Orloff was brought to Berlin this afternoon from the prison at Griefswald, Pomerania, where he had been held since July 1. The transfer followed persistent efforts of the American consulate, which included the sending of a special mission to Griefswald to prevail upon the authorities to transfer Orloff to Berlin.
VISITS ORLOFF IN PRISON
Raymond Geist, American consul here, visited Orloff in prison this afternoon. The authorities agreed to permit Mr. Geist to see the young Brooklyn student from time to time until the case is settled.
In filing a complaint with the ministry of justice over the failure to give Orloff a hearing, Mr. Messersmith promised that Orloff would leave the country on his release.
Orloff was brought to Berlin only after long and protracted effort by the consular authorities. Mr. Messersmith conferred with Ambassador William E. Dodd yesterday concerning the case.
The position of Orloff was considered especially serious since under recent decrees communist activities such as Orloff is charged with, are punishable by death. Orloff has steadfastly denied being a communist or having engaged in communist activities.
He is reported to have been seriously ill-treated in the Griefswald prison.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
