New-York tribune., 1920-06-20
IArassirl Asserts
Russia Cam Ship
asst Supplies I $
Surplus of Is, 100000 IONS
of Wheat Awaits Export,
Declares Trade Enissarv
of the Bolsllevik Regime

Copyright, 1920, New York Tribune Inc
PARIS, June 18-Gregory Krassin,
Bolshevik trade e!nissary. now in Lon
don negotiating with the British gov
ernment for the reopening Of CONNER
cial relations between Great Britain
and Russia, in an interview with the
CORES spondent there of "La Liberte," :"
discusses the quantities Of goods and
commodities which are awaiting export
in his country.
There is in Russia, after the salts
faction Of normal needs" he says, "a
surplus Of 100000 tons Of wheat Of
petroleum and the products derived
from it there are two or three million
tons; Of lumber, half million stand
ards. We have 100000 tons of fax
available, few million tons Of sheep
skins and from two to three million
pieces Of fine leather
Moreover, we can export 5000 tons
Of hops, 5000 tons of red caviar, 400
tons of black caviar, 1000 tons of resin,
1000 tons Of solid resin, 200 tons OF
turpentine, 400 tons of bristles, 500
tons Of horsehair. 10000 tons Of min
eral oils and 250,O0O tons of salt, be-
sides manganese, iron, graphite and
tobacco in quantities which l am un-
able to estimate"
Certain Guarantees Demanded
Krassin explained that, although he
was able to give precise figures of the
quantity OF exports available, he could
pf
state Of war, indicate the length of
time 1t would take TO get the goods
out of Russia, He said:
u III prepared to say that our desire
to trade with the Entente nations is
such that we are disposed to begin
commercial relations even if the war
with Poland must continue, but on con-
dition that certain guarantees are
given US. One thing that the Soviet
COVE rnment does not want is an at
tempt by the Allies, on the pretext Of
opening up commerce, to seek security
Tor the Russian debts before conclud-
ing peace. I cannot understand why
France has been hypnotized over tho
question OF our expectation Of gold.
Gold ls merchandise like any other
We export gold because it is easier to
transport. IL you want sincerely to
turn our riches to the advantage Of
Europe and US, too, why not grant US
q kind of moratorium Oh our debts
until tho peace negotiations are com
/ pleted. Then We'll see.
"Our plan for resumption of com
mercial relations would work through
a clearing house at Copenhagen in the
work OF limited company. In which
the different countries Of Europe would
have shares Our gold would serve as
n guarantee. Thus the Allies would
! be able to keep close watch on its
use"
Krassin said that the plan Of send
! ing Of engineers into Russia. who
would work under foreign capital there
on the repair Of the Russian rail
ways and locomotives, presents CON
siderable difficulty.
Capitalists Have Nothing to Fear
Americans tried this In Siberia" e
explained. They were unable TO
adapt themselves to the technical CON
ditions Of our work. For the moment
we must confne ourselves to the
simplest operations. For instance, If
you have mill which ia useless in
france, 1t could be sent to Russia
where 1t would be Of tho greatest ser
vice. For such an enterprise we v,onld
give concessions for thirty or forty
years.
"a few days before leaving Russia
l had occasion to tell some Of the
workers and soldiers that / doubtless
would be obliged TO have recourse 10
foreign aid. All agreed that it would
be necessary scrupulously TO keep all
promises that | made in this conncc-
ton. Therefore, foreign capitalists
havs nothing to fear in this connec-
ton.
ar - -.