The Washington herald., 1921-08-02
viii Not Be Entering
Wedge" for Relations,
Officials Say.
FAMINE CHARGED
TO SOVIET RULE
Mr.. Hoover Starts Relief
Machinery on Getting
Red Acceptance.
NJ RALPH H. TURNER.

ny hALfA ~. TURNER.
The first steps have been taken
toward American relief of the Rus
sian famine. but the attitude Of the
Harding administration toward the
Soviet regime - politically. diplo-
maticaIly and economically - re-
mains unchanged
with definite assurance from the
Soviet government that American
prisoners would be released. Secre-
tary Hooyes. as head Of the Ameri-
can relief administration. imme-
diately started the machinery of his
Organization in Europe.
Closest Contact Yet.
This action, which provides the
closest contact that has existed thus
far between the United States and
<Soyiet Russia. already Is pkovoking
inquiries as to whether the reliet
move may not prove an entering
wedge" to a formal relationship be-
tween the United States and the
Soviet government.
In administration quarters, how
ever, this inquiry meets the en-
phatic assertion that the very con-
ditions now calling for relief are
the result of Soviet rule. The
collapse of a nation" is declared
to be occurring as a result OF
the progressive impoverishment"
which Secretary Hughes mentioned
in his recent pronouncement OF
American policy toward trade with
Russia The present relief move
ment, il is explained. is wholly hu-
manitarfan and has no relation t.
oaicial policy. except insofar as Mr..
Hoover's stipulation for the release
of imprisoned Americans was in
dorsed by the State Department.
Mr.. Hoover has cabled Walter Ly-
man Brown, European director o.
the American relief administration.
to proceed Immediately from Lon
don TO Riga -.
y TT is. Of course, to be assumed"
Mr.. Hoover said, that the prts-
oners will have been delivered out
OF Russia as demanded by the state
Department before you open discus
sions. You will recognize that such
a course is the most primary evil
dence of willingness to assure life
and property of our stan"
Get. Soviet Acceptance.
Mr.. Hoover's cable followed a
message from NJ. Kameneff, chair
man Of the commission of the ALL
Russian Central Executive Commit
tee for helping the famine-stricken
population, accepting the conditions
stated in the original oter. The
reply was transmitted through
Maxim Gorky. who has acted as in
termediary through all the nego-
tIations
Mr.. Ksmenefrs reply said:
-The Russian government has ac-
ouainted itself with the proposal OF
NJ Hoover, made in the name Of
the American relief administration,
and finds this proposal quite ac-
ceptable as a basis. including the
release of the American prisoners.
The Russian government considers
AZ desirable as soon as possible TO
AZ the precise conditions on which
this association will begin imme-
dIate relations of its humane inten-
lion. to guarantee the feeding, med
icaI treatment. and clothing OF
million children and invalids.
The message requested that d.
rector Brown come Immediately to
MOSCOW, Riga or Reval to carry out
the negotiations.
Ready 70 Begin.
The relief administration Is ready
20 begin its work, as soon as the
Americans are safely out Of Russia
Food and other supplies viii be
sent from Danzig. Relief VIII be
conducted first. II Is Indicated, In
Petrograd. Moscow and other areas
which are most accessible.
Advices indicate Russia Is now at
her lowest ebb, agriculturally ana
industrially.
The suggestion Of Senator France
for an American loan to Russia
inds little support here. Remov-
ing strictly political considerations,
IL IL pointed out that the Soviet
regime rcarcely has the stability to
offer any substantial guarantees or
security.
This government also insists |
there Is no obstruction on the part
of the United States toward trade |
with Russia, but claims there Is no |
trade because Russia produces moth |
irg with which to nay for commodi- |
ties and will not have until her gov
ernmsnt will graEt security to prop
erty in order to give production a
chance.