New-York tribune., 1920-03-07
Caution a Urged
Here in Trade
With Russians
Business Men Advised to
Make Sure They Are Not
Dealing With Soviet Cow
ernment i'm Fresh Cuise
Martens's Work Assailed
New Chamber for Promot-
ing Commerce Declares
Propaganda Is Injurious

A warning was issued to business
men Of America yesterday by the
American-Russian Chamber Of Com
merce that it would be unwise for them
to think Of resuming trade relations
with Russia until they had ascertained
definitely that 1t was not the Soviet
government with which they were
dealing.
The statement of the chamber ac-
curses the American Commercial Asso-
citation Of publishing misleading state
ments regarding the economic situation
in Russia and declares that Russian
money deposited in British banks for
payment for imports is anti-Bo1shevik
money and not the property of the
Trotzky-Lenine government. The state
ment follows:
"The American-Russian Chamber Of
Commerce, is following with close at
tentlon all developments toward the
resumption of commercial Intercourse
with Russia. Its proper task is the
promotion Of Russian-American rela-
tions as rapidly and as fully as this
may be possible with safety and Sc
curity to American exporters and with
out jeopardy to the fundamental inter-
ests of the American people.
Co8peratives Part of Soviets
The Chamber has pointed out clear
~ the situation arising from the pro-
posal Of the Supreme Council at Paris
to trade with Russia through the CO.
operative organizations. In this con-
nection 1t may be repeated that dealing
with the cooparatives means dealing
with the Soviet government, fact
which the Supreme Council recognized
a fortnight after it's first announce
ment. Further facts to be borne in
mind are that there are no considera-
Bile stocks OF raw material in Russia
available for export, that
the breaking down in transportation
ping goods either to or from the in
terror, that future interests will not
be served by draining Russia Of the
things which the Russian people them
selves imperatively need for regaining
normal existence, that the acceptance
of Bolshevik gold or confscated PRO-
erty may involve litigation, and that,
in general, the reputation for honesty
and fair dealing of the men in control
OIL the Soviet government is not such
as to encourage business transactions.
I'VE note with suspicion and disap-
proval the activities of the so-called
the selfrstyled Soviet Ambassador,
G. A. K. Martens, to arouse public
opinion against the policy of our gov
ernment and to create the impression
that the business men Of America are
pressing for participation in Russian
Trade regardless of consideration of
honesty or sound public policy. Par
do we decry the propaganda
Of the organization brought together
under their auspices under the name
of the American Commercial Associa-
sion.' This organization in series of
statements, which are deceptive and
misleading, seeks to create the impress
sion that England and other Allied
countries are secretly dealing with
Soviet Russia, while our own business |
nen are precluded from share in this
,rade, thanks to the attitude of our
State Department. An investigation of |
he concerns in this organization and |
heir connections will show that they
10 not represent any important sec !
ion of the American business world |
in the serious Russian com
nercial or industrial enterprises. but
ire being used for the strictly political
purposes of the Bolshevik government
md its agents.
Associations Statement Assailed
"a brief analysis of the assertions
ontained in recent statement fur
ished to the press by the so-called
lmerican Commercial Association shows
learly its character and purpose.
4" we have information from unim-
eachable British sources that large
ums of Russian gold have already been
eposited in British banks for trade
urposes, and that British firms are
lready drawing against these deposits
or goods actually being shipped to
.ussia,' says the association.
"The Russian gold on deposit in
british banks Is that to the credit Of
.ussian firms and banks, and the nur-
bases were those made for shipnl snt
, anti -Bolshevik Russians. The state
lent, however, is intended to convey
ne false impression that this gold is
rom soviet sources, and that the goods
re intended for Soviet Russia.
"An Associated Press dispatch fror
eval, Esthonia, dated February q
lated that exports of fax had alreadv,
frCvo