Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-10-08
nv HIRAM X. MODERWELL.

nv Cable to The Star and chicago Daily News
Copyright, 1920.
ROME. October S.-Italian impor-
tations from bolshevik Russia 10 the
extent of more than 5O.O0o,ooO lire
(normally s1o,Ooo,OOO) have been car
ried on for months by secret routes TO
avoid interference by French and
other allied commissions. This asser-
fion nv bolsheyist commercial agents
here is confirmed by 1tallan ofnclais
and il is expected that the Two coun-
tries will exchange diplomatic agents
promptly after the signing OF lne
Russian-Polish peace pde' anI1.
The past secrecy was due to the al
laqed activities of certain allied ON
Gals. chiefly French, IN hihoerlnS
trade resumption by all Sorts OF zen
nicalities. Although the lesai oloch :,
has not felt strong enough openly 10
defy the French. This secret III
trisue is an indication OF the Ieep
divergence of policy Setween the ehiel
Latin nations.
Goods Carefully Guarded.
The route by which Russian goods
arrive here is carefully guarded. ~,
il is known that the goods VIZ.
Iaave red Russia become whlte
Washed on the way and pass through
the allied commissions as hhocen@
merchandise from friendly countrls'
These importations are. Oh 80
economically negligible, put they
valuable TO the Italians as sSnSs
Of their ability to obtain cheap soooS
Trom Russia to ease the grave eco
nomic and financial conditions he
The only importation mace Openly
was a cargo of grain whlch az 49,
tseveral weeks ago at Naples un at.
steamer Pietro Calvi. ms -
lowed free passage to ODESSA nHu
retnrn because it was the officlai sup
used in repatriating Italian ana i,ua
clan prisoners. Advantage was l ahG
of its official status 10 senu 80,
cines TO Odessa and bring grain iioi'
that port. ~ occop,-
nsnied the ship that the lnterall!eu
rnnn;ssion in Constantinople trleu
70 sion the vessel and remove tue
ngAnt responsible for the goods. la
ian conservative newspapers trIeu -
prove that the grain was woI 1850
but this was denied by the govern
nant importaing agency, which pald
the Russian agents their price anu
avnressed satisfaction. The govern
n,ant is unite active at present IN pre-
paring for future Russian TRADE.
Red Agents in Italy.
Two bolshevist agents. Michael No-
dovosov, representing the ooisheHls.
foreign< commerce department. anu
co-operatives, are living here and re-
ceiying every facility. The govern
ment, being unable to buy direciy
from the Russian soviet government,
which is not yet recognized, mas
formed n special corporation OF So
tiaIist cooperative societies for ex-
port and import, with Deputy GUT
frida in charge. This corporation
deals directly with the Russian
agents, purchasing imports: seillns
Italian products and handling the
finances. but the government repur-
chases the imports from this corpora
tion. Hitherto the payments nave
been made mostly in cash, but credit
has been established.
While the bolshevist agents appear
to possess plenty of money. they are
insisting on partial credit. with no
security save the reputation of the
soviet government. This maneuver
has political purpose. 1t is TO spread
confidence in the economic stability OF
Moscow 1t is asserted that many
Italian firms after showing tfmidity
at first, granted credit to NJ Vodovo-
SOW being eager TO sell, and that now
credit is given freely.
Meanwhile large plans are being
made for the future. The Italian gov
eminent is preparing to establish a
regular steamship line with ,biweekly
service between Naples and Cd essa.
1t is also making an economic survey
with a view to an economic inter-
change. not in millions. but gin bill
lions of lire. The government is es-
pecially eager TO obtain cheap Rus
sian grain. It's present deficit on the
sale of cheap flour and bread to the
people IS EDO 900. 900 lire (normally
81. 200 600 G00l. which is equal to one
quarter of the annual budget. The
only hope of decreasing this deficit
lies in cheap grain from the east.
Italy Faces Grain Famine.
But it is not only question of
cheapness. because the recent limi-
tations on grain exports from North
and South America makes doubtful
getting grain at any price from the
west. Sig. Soleri; minister of provis-'
sionment, recently stated that this
was a grave peril for Italy.
The situation" he said, strikes
terror to the hearts of responsible
Italians who, therefore. are unwilling
10 maintain any form of blockade
against Russia. They say that a
blockade might starve bolshevism,
rhut it would also sArve Italy. / do
>not expect large importations from
Russia this year. but I insist that the