Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1920-07-08
State Department Announces
; Lifting Of Restrictions, But
Refuses Recognition to the
Soviet Government.
NO ASSISTANCE OR
PROTECTION PROMISED
All individuals or Firms Must
Do Business at Own Risk
No Mail or Parcel Post Mat
ter Accepted by U. S.

Chicago Tribune Omaha Bee Leased Wtee.
Washington July 7-Announce-
mcnt OF the lifting of restrictions in
trade with Russia was made today
by the State department
In taking this action. tie United
States expressly states that no recog-
milton of the soviet government is
implied. individuals ard corpora
tions trading with Russia must do
so at their own risk, and no assist
ance or protection from consular
authorities may be expected. Mate
rails for war purposes continue un-
der the ban.
Just how satisfactory the lifting OF
restrictions will be to American ex-
pcrters is uncertain. The announce
Jnent states that the Postoffice de-
partment will be unable TO accept
mail from or to soviet Russia. and
tfat> goods cannot be forwarded by
parcel post. The State department
also will continue to refuse pass
ports from Russia.
This means that such persons or
corporations which wish to trade
with Russia may do so by dealing
with the soviet agents ,r the United
States or other countries No facili-
ties are provided by which the
American manufacturer NAV conduct
negotiations directly with persons in
Russia.
Announcement Unexpected.
Announcement of the lifting of
restrictions came Unexpectedly.
Secretary of State Colby, who is in
San Francisco, stated Just before
his departure that there was no pros
pect of any action in the near fu-
turc. Today's announcement. there
fore, is regarded as ha ylng come d.
rect from the White House although
the announcement actually was made
by Under Secretary of State Davis,
who is in charge in the absence OF
Secretary Colby
1t was stated that today's action
was taken solely by the United
States without any agreement for
similar action by the virious allied
countries. Notification. however,
las been sent to the allied govern
rnents of the step contemplated by
the United States.
In its announcement, the State
| department. warns American citi-
zens against the risks incident 20
tthe acceptance of commodities or
other values which may later be
brought into question. The United
States, it is explained, does not rec
ognize the validity, of industrial or
commercial confessions granted by
any existing Russian authority.
Expect Little Business.
State department officials say the
indications are that Russia has but
a small quantity of raw materials
for export, that the purchasing pow
er of Russia is very limited, and
that for these reasons there will
not be any considerable trade, if
any, with Russia.
Notwithstanding this view il
is the view of the government that
the law-abiding people i'll Russia
should not be deprived of any as
sistance which can be derived from
such trading as may be possible.
The attitude of the United States
toward the recognition of any action
in control of soviet Russia has not
changed. THIS government is not
willing as expressed by an official
by means of political recognition
to lend positive assistance to fac
tion whose disregard of the princi-
pies of democracy it considers to be-
EVIDENCE at home by the mainte-
nance of minority depotism and
abroad by an insidious propaganda
to subvert popular governmental in
stitutions expressive Of the will OF
the people.