Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1920-07-13
LIFTING OF TRADE RESTRic-
TloNs DOES NOT MEAN PoLlT-
lcAL RECOGNITION
MUNITIONS CANNOT BE SENT
Action Taken Only After Extensive
Diplomatic Exchanges Between AL
lies and United States.-LittIe
Business Is Expected

NAHNAN WIN 0ONANA lNuSSlu we're ItliON-
ed yesterday by the state department.
except insofar as they pertain to the
shipments of materials susceptible to
immediate use for war purposes.
An individual export license must be
obtained for the shipment of such ma
terials and it was announced that such
licenses would be granted only in ex-
ceptional cases.
Individual export licenses also will
be required for the export to Russia Of
locomotives, railroad material and roll
ing stock, and motor cars and compon-
ent parts.
The state departments action, while
taken independently of other nations.
followed extensive exchanges between
the United States and Great Britain
and France. 1t is believed to have
been FASTENED by the recent negotia-
tons between Gregory Kassin. repre-
senring the Bolshevk government
and Premier Lloyd George looking to
the resumption of trade between Great
Britain and Russia.
In announcing its action the state
department took particular pains to
state that political recognition. pres
ent or future, or any Russion author
ity exercising or claiming to exercise
governmental functions, was neither
granted or intended. 1t also empha-
sized that individuals or corporations
trading with Russia would do so on
their own responsibility and at their
own risk, as this government could
offer no protection to Americans 60
ing to Russia or trading with Russia
The statement also was made by the
department that indications were that
Russia had only a small quantity of
raw materials for export that its pur-
chasing power was very limited and
that consequently there would not be
any considerable trade with that
country.
at should be emphasized the de-
partments statement said that indi-
viduals or corporations availing them
selves of the present opportunity do so
on their own responsibility and at their
own risk. The assistance which the
United States can normally extend to
its citizens who engage in trade or
travel in some foreign country whose
government is recognized by the Unit
ed States cannot be looked for in the
present case since there is no Official
or representative in the United States
with which this government can main
tain the relations usually existing be-
tween nations.
'This action which the United States
now is taking in no wise constitutes
a recognition of the validity of indus
trial or commercial concessions grant
ed by any existing Russian authority.
American citizens availing themselves
of the present relaxation of restric-
tons are warned against the risks Incl
dent to the acceptance of commodities
of other values. or the title which may
later be brought into question.
"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
arrangement between the United
States and Russia, and this mode of
forwarding goods is, therefore, una
valuable"
This formal announcement was sup
plemented by the following statement:
While indications are that Russia
has but a small quantity of raw ma
terials available for export; that the
purchasing power of Russia is very
limited, and that for that reason there
will not be any considerable trade, if
any, with Russia this government,
however. does not feel that the law
abiding people in Russia should be de-
prived 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
willing by means Of political recogni-
tion to lend positive assistance to a
faction whose disregard Of the princi-
pies of democracy is evidenced at
home by the maintenance of a minor
ity despotism and abroad by an in
sidious campaign of propaganda to
subvert governmental Institutions ex-
pressiye of the will of the majority.