The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1920-01-31
Business Interests and Russia.

How much momentum will be gained
by the movement initiated Saturday
by American business men for the re-
opening of trade with Russia is yet to
be seen. On general principles the bal
ance of business interests lies on the
side of freedom of trade, but naturally
both exporters and importers desire
the fullest possible information before
acting. Thus far the state department,
which last week was said to be plan
ming to take up the matter with the
allies. seems to have no definite infor-
nation to give, Even in London, though
the decision to reopen trade is sup
posed to have been made chiefly by the
British premier trade and finance pro-
TESS to be still in the dark as to how
the plan is to be worked out. The Brit
ish government is said TO be anxious to
eounteract the belief that England is
trying to get a monopoly of Russian
trade, view which ia prevalent in
Sweden and other neutral countries,
and which has found some expression
in the United States.
A statement is expected from the
British Board of Trade which il is
hoped may throw some light upon the
methods to be adopted, and in partic-
ular upon the guaranty Of equality of
trading privilege which was promised
to allies and neutrals in the announce
ment of Jan. 10. II is likely that Lloyd
George, whose famed flashes OF intui-
ton" often do not extend to details,
finds that there is good deal of ar
ranging still TO be done. The Moscow
government, il appears, insists upon an
armistice before trade begins, and the
stipulation is reasonable; for the allies
to ask for trade privileges in Russia
while levying war against it would sa-
yor of the absurd. Lifting the blockade
il abandonment of a hostile measure,
il Is true, and requires no parley. But
trade Is not favor TO Russia simply,
but two.sided arrangement mutually
beneficial and il implies peace; II waT
conditions were to continue the Rus
slams would be justified in carrying out
their threat to sink enemy trading yes
sells which came into Russian ports.
The case is different with the frank
ly expressed hostility of the allies to
the Lenine government, which takes
the form of declaration that the re-
moval of economic pressure will weak
en- bolshevik control. II may have that
effect. and the bolshevist authorities
are taking note Of the danger, declaring
with equal frankness that under the
new conditions of reviving trade, pro
duct.on would have TO be greatly ac-
CELEBRATED TO meet the increased expecta
tions of prosperity which the resump-
ton of trade would bring. But in act
ing on this openly avowed motive the
allies would be showing no hostility TO
Russia as they cannot avoid doing by
continuing the blockade, and after ae-
eepting the risk the bolsheyist govern
ment would have no ground for com
plant If peace should bring revuision
against its rule.
II is unlikely, however, that the al
lies will be able to establish trade with
the Russian co-operatives ON terms
which would be practically continue
ton of the war against the soviet gov
eminent. The great trouble in Russia,
as in Austria, Hungary and other
countries. lies not so much IN an abso-
Lutte shortage as in the breakdown OF
trade. The farms have a surplus, but
the city cannot buy because the ma
chinerv Of production and exchange
has broken down. To benefit Russia
greatly IL would be necessary TO relieve
the needs Of all classes.
From plans to help non-soviet Rus
sia, which is rapidly ceasing to exist,
the allies have gone on TO plans 70 as
sist the rural population Of soviet Rus
sia. the part. that is. which least needs /
assistance. But a plan which would /
simply transfer TO foreign city popula
tons the trade, part Of which formerly /
went to the people Of Russian cities,
would intensity want where il j. great ]
est and breed new disorders instead Of
promoting q settled government u Il
generally believed in London and Paris
that trade with the co-oPeratives is but
The entering wedge, and that rather
than Jet the plan fail the allies would
70 on 20 a general lifting Of the block
ade. But there j. still much 20 b
made public. before the business inter-
ssts q this country viii know where
lkev stand -Srrinrfrld Republican