The toiler. [volume] (Cleveland, Ohio) 1919-1922, 1920-02-13
January, 22d, 1920.

tdhuot11 -@u1 4S1H.
In view of the more or less fantas-
tic speeulations as 20 the possibility |
Of the re-establishment of trade rela-
tions with Russia by dealing with Go
operative Societies" but in other re-
spects mot changing the policy Of the
Allies toward Soviet Russia, it seems
necessary to call the attention of Amer
lean manufacturers and exporters to
certain obvious facts, namely;
FIRST: The resumption of trade re.
lations entails problems such as The
re-establishment of Russia's foreign
credit, TIE matter of transportation,
Of harbor facilities, of representatives
abroad, to take care of the clearance
Of ships and other matters of consular
nature, the issuance of passports for
commercial travellers back and forth,
the mutual protection of foreign visit
tors in Russia and Russian visitors a.
broad, which cannot be solved with
out formal contact with the authori.
ties in Russia.
SECOND: There exist in Russia no
such cooperative societies as are being
announced in the plans of some people
who apparently desire to find in Rus
sia somebody whom they might utilize
in bringing about friction between the
Russian people and its Government.
Under present conditions in Russia, the
formely separate and independent CO.
operative societies have changed their
nature, their position and their fune-
tion. They are today distributing agen-
eies of the Russian economic system
and they work in complete harmony
with the Soviet Government. So-ealled
Representative of Russian Coopera-
tive Societies. in London, Paris and
New York dc not represent the Rus
sian Cooperatives and have no author
ity Whatsoever to speak in their name
or to enter into any obligations
on behalf Of any number of people in
Russia. Such foreign representatives
as are now announced as negotiating
with the Allies were representatives.
Of the old Russian cooperative move.
ment. They have been deposed by the
Russian cooperative organizations and
other representatives have been elect
ed in their places, but have been pre-
vented by the Allies from taking
change of the offices of cooperatives in
foreign countries. The status of these
alleged representatives who now pur7
port to negotiate in the name Of the
Russian cooperative movement with
the Allies in Paris is about the same
as the status of former C2ar and
Kerensky Embassies. They do not
represent anybody except themselves.
Such representatives have no supplies
II Soviet Russia to exchange for for
~ .Uductsr rznd hsvs no Ffght 70
negotiate obligations in anybody's
name except their own.
The foreign trade Of Russia is ma
tionalized and the Russian Soviet Gov
ernment is in full control of all sup
plies in Russia, of the means of trans
portation, and Of such other resources
as can be made, and which the Rus
star. Soviet Government is ready to
make the solid basis Of Russia's for
eign credit. The Russian Soviet Gov
ernment is perfectly capable and ready
to satisfy all requirements for the
re-establishment of trade with Russia.
According to information received by
US from Mr.. Litvinoff in Copenhagen,
the Soviet Government of Russia Is
ready at any time, when the blockade