The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1920-02-25

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TO ENCOURAGE TRADE
[By Ed l.. Keen, United Press Stan
Correspondents

correspondent
LONDON, Feb. 25.-The council of
premiers will lose no. time in obtain
ing its report on conditions in Russia,
.iC was indicated today.
The council, it was understood has
requested Albert Thomas, director OF
the international labor bureau of the
league of nations, to report on the
Russian situation March 22. The re.
port, it was said, will be forwarded
through the league.
These developments followed Off
cial announcement yesterday of the
councils decision to encourage trade
with Russia and It's endorsement ,oi
/ the proposal before the international
labor bureau. which Is a branch Of the
league of nations 70 send a commits
sion OF investigation to Russia to ex.
famine into the facts"
In many quarters here today 1t was
forecast that the councils recommen-
dation for political recognition will
follow Thomas report, provided that
report shows that the "boIshevist hor-
rors have come to an end"
The press generally considered the
councils announcement as a COM
promise, with Premier oyd-George
taking middle course between the al
lies and the soviet government and
Premier Millerand's stand for com
mercial relations only, with absolutely
mo dealings with Lenin and Trotsky.
The compromise was viewed as a
victory for the British premier, who
was expected to meet violent opposi-
.tion from Millerand when the council
convened yesterday. Some observ.
ers believed that Lloyd-George was in
clined to go even as far as Nitti
wished, but temporized to prevent any
bad feeling on the part of the French.
Judged between its good and bad
features the good undoubtedly pre-.
dominates" the Daily News declared,
in commenting on the councils an
nouncement.
The Daily Hearald saw the decision
as a 'Iong step toward peace" with
Soviet Russia, while the Daily Chroni
Gle agreed that the allies have en-
tered the path which has peace at
its end" ..' .
The Times attacked Lloyd-George,
declaring that while it was impossible
mot to admit the profligate art with
which he sought to throw weak and
reluctant Europe into the venal arms
of her bolshevik seducer." one could
not but foresee that "the next step
would compromise her beyond recall"
LIoyd-George Wins.
[By Henry Wood, United Press Staff
Correspondent
PARIS, Feb. 25.-The press today
generally was inclined to concede
that Premier Lloyd-George was vic
toricus over Premier Millerand in the
decision of the council of premiers as
to the allied attitude toward Russia.
LIE Journal published dispatch
from London saying that the British
premier got around Millerand's posi-
ton of refusal to have dealings with
the Russian soviet government by de-
Gliding there shall be no official recog-
nition of the soviets.
1t was admitted that Lloyd-George
had succeeded in swinging the other
members of the council to his view.
While the allies will treat directly
with the soviet government relative to
trade resumption with Russia, LIE
Journal said, the question Of ofcial
recognition of Lenine and TrOtsky
will not be discussed in any conversa-
tions that may ensue.
The newspapers blamed Premier
Nitti for aiding with Loyd-George,
pointing out that it gave Millerand
double opposition.