The New York herald., 1920-12-31

Copyright. 1890, ov The NEW YORK hnEAf.p.
New York Herald Bureau.
London. Dec. "a
While Ludwig c. A. X Marts s.
Soviet Ambassador" to the United
States, who is about to be deported. Is
clamoring about the withdrawal from
the United States OF billions of dollars
worth of trade contracts which will
now go to Great Britain and other
countries opening trade relations with
Soviet Russia, Great Britain, especially
the British Government, is not sure
that it wants this trade which the
Soviets consider such luscious plum
that it will whet the palate for Boil
shevism.
The British. Government is deter
mined not to make too many conces-
sions for this business and unless the
Soviets show the best of faith as busi-
ness men rather than politicians
Great Britain will not become q party
to any agreement.
A decided check to the negotiations
came in the recall to-day of Krassine,
the Soviet envoy, to Moscow for con-
sultation and in the objections by
Foreign Minister Tchitcherin to the
British conditions.
The question of the resumption Of
trade between Great Britain and RuA Ia
has been under consideration many
months. There has been much side
stepping and dodgfng, but mostly on the
- a., ~ liz trl, Wa
suspicious Great Britain made demands
for the return of prisoners, the release
of all British subjects and positive sup
preston of all Bolshevist propaganda in
England While the first were COM
piled with, the matter of propaganda
still is hanging fire.
Propaganda Bars Trade.
If the Sovets answer equivocally to
this demand the deal will not go
through. If they give assurances that
the propaganda will cease the deal
might be consummated. but officials here
have not much faith in the word OF
Moscow. and If trade is resumed and II
is found that the propaganda is going
on secretly 1t is almost certain that the
lid will be clamped down again.
Lord Curzon, Secretary of State for
Foreign Affairs, has been doing some
fine diplomatic fencing in an effort to
find out the other fellows play. with the
result that nothing has been done as yet
which might not fall through at the
slightest provocation. 1t is apparent
that the British officials are not trusting
the Soviet too far, and It was officially
kaA Ala AIar Gto 70
ment regarding the United States will
have no bearing upon the British neso-
tiations.
But the business men of England do
not share the apprehension of the Gov
ernment and are not pussyfooting In the
same way. They are anxious to resume
trade on their own responsibility. owing
10 the extreme necessity of finding new
markets for their goods. and important
deals are likely to go through soon.
Only yesterday the announcement was
made that $500, 900 yards of khaki cloth
had been sold to the Soviet Government
by British firms dealing privately. the
deal representing a payment Of f1.20o,-
900, which was made by checks on two
leading banks through Stockholm, where
the gold was deposited. The Soviets
want 100000 yards more, which they
cannot obtain here.
Reds Find Fertile Field.
The most important consideration
from the standpoint Of the Government
at present Is the unemployment crisis.
There are millions idle on the British
Isles and II Is known that considerable
amount OF energy has been displayed by
paid agents in Soviet propaganda, espe-
cially in London. Manchester. Birming-
ham and Glasgow. to get men stirred UP
to follow the Communists. Former SER
vice men principally are being worked
upon, and the "Nux"-the National
Union Ex-Service Men--is showing a
marked interest in the meetings and has
issued many pamphlets declaring for the
overthrow Of the present social system
and the setting UP of workmen's COM
monwealth Others say Mug is essen
TALLY fighting organization, willing to
fight for its rights.
The resumption OF trade with Russia
would be big step toward solving the
unemployment problem, but the attend
ant risks might be too great. Premier
Lloyd George has been consulting labor
leaders, including Arthur Henderson, in
order TO find a way out Labor circles
generally feel that trade should be re-
opened with Russia as soon as possible
because new markets are needed vitality.