The Washington herald., 1921-03-27


an arrangement whereby the port of Trieste may
continue TO be the commercial outlet for Czecho-
Slovakia.
According to the Gasette de Prague the visit of
the Czech foreign minister to Rome comedies with
the calling of economic conference of the success
sion states, which was decided upon by the supreme
council at Paris One purpose of this conference
to be at Porto Rose near Trieste. is that it should
serve as preliminary to a great European economic
conference to develop wide plans for the solution OF
the economic difficulties of Europe. 1t was hoped
also that the Porto Rose conference would reestab
lsh more satisfactory economic relations between the
states of the former Austrian Empire. which have for
centuries been complementary parts of economic
unit. The program Of this conference does not in
clude any plans for the formation OF Danuban
federation which has been Of the favorite policies
of the French foreign office.
Since the formation of the little entente there
have been reports that another alliance composed of
Poland, Rumania and Hungary has been formed The
alliance between Poland and Rumana against Russia
has been confirmed. but there is doubt that be-
cause of the conflicting interests Of Rumania and
Hungary the latter should be included 1t is perhaps
only by such alliances that these states can re-
the obstacles to their recovery which have been
created by jeaousies and mutual dstrust.
TN interview with Moscow papers Herr Kopp,
Il the Soviet envoy to Germany, declares that
nomic understanding between Russia and Germany is
necessity of the future since is essential for
Germany to develop her export trade in order to pay
reparations to the allies For the present, however.
Germany is not inclined to engage in any large trans
actions with Russia, since the gold she would receive
for her goods would be liable to confscaton by the
Entente. Not until some definite agreement has been
made by Germany with the allies Russia hope to
from German manufacturers sufficient mate
rials to be of any particular value in reconstruction
The failure of compulsory labor to increase pro-
ducton in Russia has been frequently commented
upon. Additional testimony is furnished by the
Krassnaya Gaseta which reports that the Soviet gov
has been unable to increase the productivity
of the Petersburg factories. In spite OF the fact that
during the first part of January 5000 workmen re-
turned the factories from the villages, productivity
continues to fall. The quality and capabity of the
workers bad enough but the quality of the goods
produced is still
The Contemporary Review of February quotes
an interview with Lomov, vice president of the Su-
preme Council for Economics in Bolshevk Russia,
which appeared in Vorwarts and which purports to
give official information regarding foreign concessions
in Russia. Lomov states that Russia is anxious TO
re-establish normal relations with Western Europe.
where the need of the materials which Russia pro-
duces is very great In order dispel the apprehen
sion which Western capitalists feel regarding
cessions in Russia, the Soviet government offers the
most absolute guarantees that the businesses set
by concessonaires will not be nationalizcd or Sc
questered By this policy of concessions Soviet Russia
hopes bring the spirit of progress and the efficient
methods OF America. England and Germany into
localities and industries of Russia which have never
been developed
Regarding the Gis.r'cts in whic', foreign capital
should DC first employed. Lamov said that the need
of development is greatest in the dstant terri
tories such as Kamschata, the fores Of the Obi,
the Yensse the Irish rivers, and the Siberian plains
The Soviet government is very desirous OF inaugu-
of fore OF
which there are over 100000 dessatin.
So far no agreements have been signed or COM
pleted but negotiations in progress with the
following interests An American Goldstene for the
manufacture of tanning material in the Akmolin dis
trict of Siberia; the Swedish Altman Svemsk Elek-