The New York herald., 1920-01-20
SAYS SOLUTION OF
RUSSIAN PROBLEM
IS RESTORATION
American Committee Declares
Lifting Blockade Has
Brought No Change.

Absurdiy exaggerated notions prevail
in some quarters regarding the possibility
of trade with Russia at present. accord
ing to a statement issued last night by
the Executive Committee of the American
Russian Chamber of Commerce, after q
meeting at which the Supreme Councils
action relative to the partial lifting OF the
blockade was considered.
The organization represents a large num-
ber Of American business firms, and in
cludes in it's directorate Frederick w.
Allen Lee. of Lee. Higglnson q Co.;
Samuel McRoberts, formerly OF the Ma
tionaI City Bank. and Darwin p. King
sley. president Of the New York Life
Insurance Company.
The chances Of relieving the distress
among the non-combatant population OF
Russia. Of permitting distribution or sup
plies to the non-Rolshevik clements and OF
weakening the Bolshevtk domination over
the masses by lifting the blockade seem
very slight, the statement says, and
adds:-
1T is to be feared that the Bolshevik
government will point to this action as
a concession extorted by the triumph OF
their arms. and will be stimulated to make
more strenuous military aggression both
East and West"
The Bolshevik elements, it points out
will not permit the cooperative societies
to participate in strengthening their op-
ponents.
Regarding the Bolshev,ll proposal to pay
in gold, the statement says that the ex-
porter may as well put it out OF his mind
mo nation can countenance diversion OF
Rcrmanian gold held by the Bolshevili
authorities" it says, land whatever other
gold they have was seized from the Rus
sian government, and can only be used by
them legally in direct dealings when they
gre recognized as a de facto government
The policy just announced does not con-
template such recognition, and conse-
quently any merchant accepting this gold
in payment for goods puts himself in the
position OF receiver Of stolen goods, and
subjects himself to litigation.
"As credits aye out OF the question, the
only means of payment consists or such
raw materials as are accumulated at Rus
san points and which may be exported in
exchange for manufactured goods i'm
ported The quantity of such raw ma
terials available has been greatly cxagger-
ated, since the transportation systems ol
Russia have absolutely collapsed"
In regard o the assertion that the coun-
CHS action means only a change of tactics
and not of principle toward soviet Russia
the statement sarys:-
THE announcement makes no change OF
real Importance either politically or eco
nomically. The Russian problem still con-
fronts us as before We should not believe
for a moment that the solution has been
found There Is and can be but one solu-
ton. That solution lies in the establish.
ment Of legitimate form Of government
stable and responsible, and as far as Rus
sian conditions permit, representative OF
the interests and will of all the Russian
people. With this accomplished will fol-
low the restoration OF Russia as n produc-
tive unit in the family of nations. she
can never be supported from outside.
"It is essential that we state clearly that
there shall be no recognition OF or col
laboratior with the destructive tyranny
that rules In Moscow; that we stand for a
unified, Independent and democratic Rus
sia. and that we stand ready to cooperate
with and extend aid to all the constructive
elements Of the Russian population in Their
struggle to free themselves from the grip
of their oppressors and to reconstruct
their national life and prosperity.
Further, we believe that America
should take the leading part in such def
mite and constructive progrsmrle."