The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1919-03-26
D0LSHEVIK START
PROPAGANDA
Trying to Curry Favor in United
States by Spending Money
for Goods =
CLAIM TO HAVE TWO
HUNDRED MILLION
American Representative Of
Steel Works in Moscow Says
He is Acting for Soviet.

New York, March 2O.-As the first
steps toward obtaining recognition by
the United States the Russian soviet
government is prepared to deposit
$4,000 ,0OO in gold with American
and European banks for the purchase
Of supplies needed in reconstruction
WORK, according to a formal state
rnent issued here tonight by L. c. A.
X. Martens, American representa-
tive Of the Denlidoff Iron & Steel
! Works in Moscow, through the Nbu-
rc;.u Of representative OF the Rus
san Socialist federal soviet repub-
iica.'
Asserting that he had received his
appointment this week as official rep
reseatative of the soviet government
IN the United States, Mr.. Martens said
he had forwarded his credentials to
the state department and meanwhile
had opened temporary headquarters
in this city With the credentials,
he said. he had sent a report on con-
dit;ons in Russia and an expression
| Il his governments desire to reestab-
F.! :ish normal relations between the
! ,wo countries.
N:r. Martens said that in. addition
| 70 t,,e S2O0000,000 to be deposited to
| 9efray the cost Of initial purchases,
the soviet government was prepared
to submit various propositions which
he said he hoped would prove ac-
ccptal,'e to American manufacturers
and exporters. looking toward estab-
! :ishaaent Of credit for additional gov
ern:ient purchases.
Martens said ne intended soon to
establish permanent headquarters in
this city on scale commensurate
w;;..t tne purchases he intended 10
make. His plans, he added, called
for appointment of a Commercial
attacie' and organization CT q
beard Of trade OF soviet Russia
according to Martens. who assert
et! that despite silly" reports con-
cernins the soviet government, it had
Ga Il firm the foundation Of a well
ord development Of their So
c;et;.-" he was empowered to state"
that his government t'is sincerely
a;2xicus to have host!lities cease in
Rsss>iia and TO enter into agreements
7,itn me American government for
the peaoeable withdrawal of Ameri-
ca: troops from Russia.
"Cn the part of the Russian fed
erc' soviet republic" he said, there
thus exists 70 obstacles 70 the estab-
IishInent OF proper relations with
nthcr countries. especially with the
United States. The soviet government
OF Russia is willing to open its
doors TO citizens OF other countries
for peaceful purposes OF opportunity
and i invites any scrutiny and inves-
,iga,ion of its conditions which inves-
tigation certainly vii! prove that
peace and prosperity in Russia viii
fo!!cw on the cessation OF the pres
eDt allied policy Of non-intercourse
with soviet Russia. and by establish
meat of material and intellectual in
lercoursa"
NJ. Martens asserted that his gov
eminent was prepared to purchase in
his country great quantities of such
as railroad supplies, ag-
'i"'i..>.ra: implements and machinery,
actory machinery. tools, mining ma
'llit:Sry and supplies. electrical sup
olies. printing machinery, textile
?,a e;,in"ry and canned meats, rub
'er goods, typeuriters and Office sup
'lies. a,:tomobiles and trucks, chenli-
ais and medical supplies.
Russia. he said. was prepared to
ell flax, hemp. hides. bristles furs.
lniAer. grain, platinum, metals and
1:rcra1s.