The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1920-01-19
AMERICAN PEOPLE IN
DEFAULT TO RUSSIA
According to Elihu Root, Chairman OF
the Mission Sent to Russia by
President Wilson.

President Wilson.
New York, Jan. lo-The American
people are in default to Russia, in the
opinion of Elihu Root, chairman of the
mission sent TO that country by Presi-
dent Wilson. Assurances of friendship
have been empty except for the Ian
guage used in making promises, he con
tends. The views OF the former secre-
tary of state on the perpleXing Rus
sian question were voiced in an address
at q private dinner of the American
Russian chamber of commerce in this
city Dec. 20, at which no reporters
were present. At the request of mem
beers Of the organization, Mr.. Root con
scented to having his remarks made
public.
After denouncing the 'horrid group
of cut threats and assassins" now in
control in Russia, Mr.. Root declared
they could be fought most effectively
by supplying the ''selfsaerifieing men
who are now trying to save their eoun-
try" with munitions of war, shoes and
clothing and money to pay their troops.
."There are three or four things !
would like TO say Mr.. Root said.
Zone is that we are in default as to
Russia; the American people is in de-
fault. We have given assurances Of
friendship We have made promises,
we have used the strongest words IN
the English language. don't know
whether there are any stronger words
in Russian. But ii there are, and we
had known them, we probably would
have used them, because we have indi-
Gated that there was no limit TO the
friendship which we were ready to
show towards Russia, and we have
shown no friendship toward Russia e2-
cept in words.
MANY opportunities have come and
have been allowed to pass. Many stu
ations have arisen in Russia where,
if the American people had made good
one-tenth of what they declared they
were ready to do, the skies would be
bright in Russia today, They have
been allowed to pass without action.
We have never been ready when the
occasion has come. and We have done
nothing There are many things we
might have done ] am not going 70
criticize am going to assume that
our government had good reasons for
not acting upon all the favoring occa-
sions which seemed to challenge action
in behalf of Russia; ! am going to
assume there were good reasons for not
acting: but we have not acted. 1t is a
shifting scene II looks pretty dark
there now, but it will shift again, and
unless we do something TO prepare to
act. when the next occasion comes we
shall not be ready, and there will be no
action
1T appears that II there is TO be
any action to make good our assurance
to Russia. the American people must
get behind the words that have been
spoken in their behalf, and call for ae-
ton. This is how we got into the war
We did not get in until the people OF
the United States were walked up 70
the imminent occasion for action, and
with their mighty driving power put
our country into action themselves. Let
us do something now, if we can, to be
ready when the next opportunity
comes.
"The next thing wish TO say Is
that now is the time to lay the founda
tions, to take the first steps to estab.
lish the relations necessary for the
friendly and useful intercourse 81
trade between the United States and
Russia. One form of activity which
carries no condescension on one side MOI
humiliation on the other. which is ben
efcial to both parties, is fair trade
The people OF Russia need - deeply
desperately need-the things that We
can supply to them, by the establish.
ment az intercourse in the exchange
OF products, which has been the basis
Of all the prosperity and the oppor.
tunities for growth among civilized ma.
tions.
~Now i the time for us to put our.
selves on footing with Russia which
in the DAYS TO come, when the skie.
have cleared and order IS re-established
viii make the Russian people and the
American people eo-partners in the ex-
change Of products which will benefit
both.
other nations are doing IT, The Ca.
nsdians are doing il. the Japanese arr
doing il. the Germans are doing il
many others. We alone, with all oui
enterprise. with all our initiative. witt
an the habits and the traditions and
the capacity for Affirmative and vigor-
ous and progressive action. built up IN
the cOurse 81 the last century during
which We have made this great country
What Il is-with al that, We alone
hang hack. That il something which
now the business men Of Americs can