The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1920-11-12

The vast resources Of Russia are We'll
known. What is less well known IS ihG
gigantic strides which Russia WAS MAX
ing In the development OF these r"S"urc-
es Just prior to the war. Tn" Soviet re-
g!mc has put an end for IN" time hc:nG
to all production Of raw materials except
in certain very limited fields. With thc
removal of this incubus W" shall sec
open TO foreign enterprise practically
virgin field comp rahlc to the American
continent Of a century ago: with tho adj
dition of millions of intelligent white
laborers. Russia will then furnish To
American capital its finest and largest
field for profitable employment.
The normal method would be To en-
ploy our capital directly. Unfortunately
Americans have had comparatively little
experioncr in conducting foreign enter
rrises Of this kind. Cnnditions In Rus
STA are very different from those in AM
erica and enterprises which do not take
these differences into consideration are
doomed to failure. The one way Ia sue
coed is 10 enter into mutual relationships
with experienced Russian industrallstS
forming. IA it were. sort OF partner
ship. whereby the special experience or
the Russians and their knowledge OF
conditions can he utilized in connection
with American financial power and such
American ideas Of organization MS can
be adapted 10 the special cases.
I Practically the sam" thing Is true
with reference 10 manufacturing enter
priscs. Inde"l tn" special technical in
formation necessary for the success or
in 10
necessary than Ia tho raw material In
dustrirs. In this connection ii should
not be overlooked that the American
capiiaI Invested in such enterprises
would, for the most part. be expended
in America upon the machinery equip
mcnt. materials and goods that the re-
uuired TO conduct the Russian opera
tons.
Tho fundamental conditions governing
foreign trade with Russia Is that or
the immoh!lity of the Russian merchant,
which gives Il great advantage 10 Inc
trader who will offer him his goods de-
lIvercd with transportation and duty
paid and a bill rendered in terms Of his
own money. Furthermore, it is nrccs-
sary to pay attention to his social de-
mands in the matter of dimensions. fin
Ish. packing. etc. All these things tho
Germans attended to carefully. and
Americans must follow the German en-
ample If they wish 10 succeed.
There IS no use OF Americans thinking
OF trade with Russia unless Americans
are ready to send theI plenty OF young
men prepared 10 settle down and learn
the Russian language. and become
thorouehly acquainted with Russian liIo
and customs. We shall certainly lose
out If We leave our representation In
linn "a
Eussians.
Concerning tho blockade there has
been much misunderstanding. The re-
fuSal OF our government to grant
licenses was based upon the So-called
Trading with tho EE"my act" which
was considerably stretched ia order 10
Apply IL TO Soviet Russia. Tuc b."rkadr
last it's significanr" with the faIlur" Of
the national movement III Russia and in
reality has served for .i;l!" else than
to afford material for hoISheViN propa-
ganda. The real hlorkad" on Russia Is
the Soviet government itself and its
monopoly Of trade.
Thu conclusion Is. IN view OF these
obstacles. that no real trade Is to I've
looked for until transportation IL rchahi-
litated and production begun again, and
there Is no hope of either ufihcse event
ualit!cs under the present Soviet gov
rrnmeut
There has been great agitation in this
country ny TIE agents VI AIt hoON I'h
together with 4 few spectators of moro
or less questionable reputation. urging
tho recognition of the soviet govern
mont and dealing with It. This prOpa-
yauda has represented TINT there vera
Vasts stores of goods ready t. he ex-
changed and that If America did not Mt
once take advantage of this situation
She would he outstr!pped by certain Eu'
ropcan competitors.
1t is important that all American
business men should realize the insidi-
ously false and pernicious character oil
this propaganda and take Il firm stand
that they will not countcnance the sort
az transactions, which, for the sake or /
= little immediate profit for 4 few spccu
lators will jcopardiz" not only our future
relations with Russia but will tend toI
undermine our own standards of CONF
mcrclal morality.
American business men make the
necessary preparations against the time
If real trade il will he found that Rus
sin Will constitute by far our most I'M
rurtnnt customer. and BE- An unlimited
field for profitahl" enterprise.
Good business sens" and foresight do !
mend that we take keen and active in !
terest in this and that we do not pass
il by with the remark that It will be !
time enough to consider trade with Rus |,
sin when Russia shall herself be In the |
~. - thn fmn |