One of the most critical moments of the ransom-for-prisoners exchange with Fidel Castro occurred when Castro threatened to hold back some 700 prisoners unless the U.S. promptly paid $2,900,000, which, he claimed, it had promised for the release of 60 ailing prisoners last spring. It was widely reported that Attorney General Robert Kennedy quickly secured a pledge for $1,000,000 of this with one telephone call to an unidentified friend. It was not until last week, however, that the almost-as-surprising fund-raising power of retired General Lucius Clay was fully revealed.
As head of a citizens committee advising relatives of the prisoners, Clay raised...
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