Omaha daily bee., 1921-02-06
Opposition.
Il o Russia
Is Denied
Americans Not Restricted
From Entering Country by
U. S. Government, Official
Says, in Reply to Charges.
Take Own Responsibility
By ARTHUR SEARS HENNlNG.

W W. nat III
United States is participating in an,
! armed opposition to soviet Russi
or rendering intercourse herewith
is denied by Under Secretary OF Stat
Davis, in letter to Alton B. Parker
answering charges by the League o
Free Nations association to Wlic.
MIR. Parker called the State depart
ment's attention.
The insinuation in the last ques
ton that this government is secretly
committed to intervention in Russi;
is gratuitous, 1t has no basis what
soever in fact, and the implied
charge that sucil commitments efflis
is fefuted by the well-known policy
OF opposition lc intervention main
tanned for months preceding the de-
cision OF the supreme war counci
to send troops to Russia. by our ef
fort to reduce The joint intervention
to the smallest scope, and to hold tc
specifically defined and limited pur,
! poses
The leagues charge that the
| United States is maintaining a block
ade of American trade with Russia
even extending to shipment of soap
ard medical supplies, Mr.. Davis
answers thus: x
Denies Restrictions.
Since the war trade board regula-
tions in regard to trade with Russia
were amended OH July 8. 1920, it is
not true that it has been our policy
to refuse to permit relief to be sent
to soviet Russia. The only rcstric-
ton maintained by this government
on export trade with soviet Russia
is the restriction on the exports of
munitions or commodities suscep-
tible { immediate military use. For
the shipment of commodities under
this qualification. it is necessary to
apply for special export licenses.
There is no restriction on the export
to Russia of medical supplies, soap
and the common necessities of lie.
No special licenses are needed, nonc
has been applied for.
That relatively little OF these
commodities has been sent is due to
purely commercial considerations.
Two different organizations have
been carrying on a noisy agitation
in this matter and asserting that
they have been prevented by this
government, fro nsending medical
suppliessta, Russia. They have been.
Informed that no such obstacles ex-
ist to such shipments, but apparent
ly they have no funds to send sup
plies or to pay for their transport.
Soviets Raise Difficulties.
The department OF state has ak
en- an intense and continual interest
in the possibility of arranging for
large scale relief work by strong and
reputable organizations. The difficult
ties which have stood in the way OF
any accomplishments in this matter
have been raised, not by this govern
ment but by the soviets, who can
not find i'll their theory of commun-
ism, any excuse for private philan-
thropy.
Representatives of the large re-
lief organizations. with the knoui-
edge and approval OF the department
Of state. have visited the central So
Wet authorities i'll Moscow in the
hope OF establishing a modus viven-
di for such work, but with two ex-
ceptions have been met by rebuffs.
The State department has taken |
the position that it could not Off
cially encourage the entry Unto soviet
territory, of American relief workers
sdelong as the, soviet authorities con-
tinue to hold as hostages American
citizens who are not accused of any
illegal activities, but its attitude to-
wards relief workers has been identi-
cal with that towards private busi-
less enterprises. Any American citi- !
zen who wishes to enter Russia on (
his own responsibility and without
/ passport can do so without any
from this government. The |
oficlal obstruction to feeding OF |
sick Russian children by Americans
las come not from this government.
,ut from the soviets.'' I
Passports Issued.
In conformity with the order lift
ng the war trade boat restrictions
against trade with soviet Russia"
laid Mr.. Davis, "it has been the pol
cy of this department to issue pass
,orts to Americans wishing to enter
soviet Russia, good for the countries
'f transit. The authors of this para
.raph seem to have had no idea OF
ne nature OF a passport. 1t is merely
formal and engraved adaptation Of
n official letter OF introduction. Ii
$ addressed 10 friendly govern \
nent or goverame and il would A
lot be proper or appropriate for
his government 10 give letter of K
Introduction to tie soviet authorities.
There is no possibility OF normal
assport courtes:cs between govern ,
nents which arc not in diplomatic
elations.
More recent order has instructed
ne diplomatic and consular offices
countries contiguous TO soviet
.ussia to taqe up the American pass
assports OF such Americans as
'ish to enter soviet Russia, to be
cturned to them on their leaving
oviet territory, as the passports ad-
ressed to governments with which
C have diplomatic relations could
e OF no legitimate use to them in
oviet territory. No hardship is im-
osed on the Americans wishing to
inter- Russia at their own risk. and I
lie chance of the misuse OF Amer
an passports is notably decreased