New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-07-08
Will License Shipments
of All but War Supplies
After Enforcing Bar
rier for Three Years
No Recognition of
Political Nature
All Business at Risk of
Dealers, Without Mail
or Passport Facilities
From Tho Tribune's washington Buy,o

From Tho Trfbunes WGshin0ton Bnreun
WASHINGTON, July THE State
Department to-day abolished the re-
strictions which for nearly three
years have prevented commerce be-
tween the United States and Russia.
1t was made plain, however, that the
departments action was not a fore
runner of political recognition Of the
Soviet government.
Licenses for shipments of all ma
terials, except that which may BE
utilized for war purposes, will be is
sued by the War Trade Board section
of the State Department., but all clear
ings will bear the stipulation that the
American shippers send their goods at
their own risk.
The order lifting the ban sets forth
that no facilities for communication
between shippers and Russian pur-
chasers, either through the mails or
by the issuance of passports, will be
provided.
Explanation Of Order
One official described the depart
ment's order, as follows:
"While the indications are that Rus
STA has but small quantity of raw
materials available for export, that the
purchasing power Of Russia is very
limited, and that for these reasons
there will not be any considerable
trade, if any, with Russia, this govern
ment, however, does not feel that the
iaw-abiding people in Russia should
be deprived of any assistance which
can be derived from such trading as
may be possible.
THE attitude Of the United States
toward the recognition Of any faction
in control of Soviet Russia has not
changed. This government is not will
ing by means Of political recognition
to lend positive assistance to faction
whose disregard of the principles of
democracy is evidenced at home by the
maintenance of a minority despotism
and abroad by an insidious campaign
Of propaganda to subvert popular gov
ernmental institutions expressive of
the will of the majority"
Official Statement Made
In announcing the RESUMPTION Of
trade relations with Soviet Russia, the
State Department issued the following
statement:
"The restrictions which have here
tofore stood lin the way of trade and
communication with Soviet Russia
were. to-day removed by action Of the
Department of State. Such of these
restrictions, however, as pertain to the
shipment Of materials SUSCEPTIBLE of
immediate use for war purposes will,
for the present at least, be maintained.
political recognition, present or fu-
ture, of any Russian authority exer-
cising or claiming to exercise govern
mental functions, is neither granted
nor implied by this action. 1t should
be emphasized, moreover, that indi-
viduals or corporations awaiting them
selves of the present opportunity to
trade with Russia will do so on their
own responsibility and at their own
risk. The assistance which the United
States can normally extend to its citi-
some foreign country whose govern
ment is recognized by the United States
cannot be looked for in the present
case, since there is no official or repre-
sentative Russian authority with which
this government can maintain those
relations usually subsisting between
nations.
Concessions Not Recognized
"The action which the United States
is now taking in no wise constitutes a
recognition Of the validity of industrial
or commercial concessions granted by
any existing Russian authority. Amer
lean citizens avai1ing themselves of the
present relaxation of restrictions are
warned against the risks incident to
the acceptance of commodities or other
values, the title to which may later be
brought into question.
"The situation which at present pre-
wallis, relative to travel from or to
Russia, will be unaffected by the re-
moval Of trade restrictions. Passports
for Russia cannot be issued. nor will
any change he made in the wise regu-
lations now in force.
"Since it is not desirable at this time
to undertake negotiations with the
Soviet postal authorities, the Postof-
flee Department will be unable to ac-
cept mail from or to Soviet Russia.
There has never been any parcel post
connection between the United States
and Russia, and this mode of forward
ing goods is, therefore, unavailable"