Omaha daily bee., 1920-11-20
Change In
Relations
Is Foreseen
Decision Of Great Britain to
Resume Trade With Russia
May Bring Important
Developments.
Recognition No Surprise
BY ARTHUR SEARS HENNING.
Chicago Tribune Omaha Bee Leased Wire.

Chicago Tribune Omaha Bee Leased Wire
Washington Nov. l9.-The de-
cision of the British government tc
resume trade relations with Russia
closely following the collapse of the
Wrangel anti-bolshevik army, is re
garded here as possibly the prelude
of important changes in the rela
tions of European nations.
In taking the step Great Britain
parts company on Russiao policy
with France. which is opposed tc
dealing with the soviet government
because of the latter's reputation
of the Russian debt to France. and
furtsers British commercial and in
dustrial interests which will be put
into Russia on the ground floor OF
profitable undertakings.
1t is not unlikely that Italy, with
which Great Britain has been culti-
waiting close understanding, will
follow suit, leaving only France and
the United States opposed to enter
ing into any relations with the
Lenine regime. Complete recogni-
lion of the soviet government by
the British government would oc-
casion no surprise here among those
officials who have contended against
the resumption of American trade re-
lations with Russia on the ground
that it would strengthen the boil
sheviki and lead to their official reg
ognition.
New Element Looms Up.
A new element may be thrust in
to the situation if Lenine and Trotz-
ky, having disposed of Wrangel, now
refuse to make formal peace with
Poland and again assault the re-
public. In that event Great Britain
would be charged with leading en-
couragement, if not economic aid,
to the soviet government through
the resumption Of trade relations.
President Wilson nearly a year
ago lifted, to some extent, the re-
strictions on America ntrade with
Russio, but such trade is not facilit-
ated or protected by the United
States and Americans engage in it
at their own risk. A few months
ago the president issued the distum
that there could be no diplomatic
or trade relations with a govern
ment that aimed to overthrow the
American form of government, and
whose diplomatic ENJOYS are and
would be, instructed to further that
conspiracy.
Great Britain dealt with the me-
mace by exacting promise from the
soviet government las a condition
for the resumption of trade relations,
that it would not propagandize any,
where in the British doninions. As
Lenine has boasted that his peace
treaties are made to be ignored, if
desirable, this promise is regarded
here as merely a "scrap of paper"
Promises. of Russia.
British Foreign Minister Curson's
recapitulation of the promises ex-
acted of Russia are:
l. To refrain from hostile actions
and propaganda, direct or indirect,
against the institutions of this coun-
try.
"2. To refrain from any attempt
by military action or, by propagan-
da to encourage the peoples Of Asia
in any form of action hostile to-
British interests or the British en-
pire.
81. To permit all British subjects
in Russia 70 return home immediate
~, Russian subjects in Great Brit
ain or other parts of the British
empire who desire to return to Rus
sia being similarly released"
Under clause nine, the British gov
crnment, according to the London
Times, is asked to declare that they
Twill not take or forge any steps to
obtain or take possession of any
gold, securities, or commodities,
which may be exported by Russia
in payment of imports. Thus, un-
der the first clause, the British gov
ernment is virtually asked to wink
at the Reputation Of Russian debts.
and in the second, not to facilitate
any steps that Russia's creditors
might be able to take to protect their
interests by seizure of Russia as
sets in this country.
The British banks had protested
strongly against the conclusion of
,ny trade agreement with Russia
which does not provide for the un-
qualified reorganization of all Rus
sian debts, and the business COM
munity was reported to stand solid
y behind the bankers in their pro-
test. Russia owes the British gov