Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-10-13
Germany, Russia and America
~ CONOMIC relationships between Ger

~ CONOMIC relationships between Ger
r. many and Russia are developing in g.
~~ way that can not fail to impress
! thoughtful observers. The Berlin CORE
spondent of the London Post reports an or
| der from the Soviet Government for seven
hundred railway locomotives, the first six of
which are to be, delivered between now and
early spring, and also for steel rails
farm implements and chemicals to the value
of million and half marks. In this same
connection is announced the arrival OF the
first extensive shipment Of goods from Rus
ria to Germany, comprising twelve carloads OF
furs, quantities of hemp and fax, and build
ing timber. German experts" we are told
intend to devote much attention to Russ1a's
economic possibilities, especially to the ques-
ton OF how her productivity can be best and
most eXpeditiously reawakened and devel-
oped." Particularly interesting is the state
ment attributed to a commissioner Of the
Soviet Government who recently visited the
fair at Bresau. Germany and Russia,
said he, depend on each other economically;
Russian industry can never supply our de-
mand for manufactured goods, nor can Rus
STA without foreign help increase the produc-
tivity of her soil. She looks forward to col
laboration with Germany"
These interchanges of products and of
friendly professions not to be taken neces-
sarily as foreshadowing a Russo-German all
finance hostile to the Atlantic nations. 1t is
indeed natural that those two neighbor-
ing countries should trade together, and that
Germany with her mechanical skill and her
need of markets for manufactures should look
eagerly to the development Of Russia's vast
latent resources. Nor need the world fear
such activities so long as they follow paths
of constructive service to the peoples con-
cerned, for in themselves progress and pros
perity, wherever arising, tend to diffuse for
the common good. A Germany of reedom
and goodwill working together with Russia
Of goodwill ana freedom would be richly to
mankind's advantage and would invite gen.
era1 cooperation
What has ben feared, however, has been
the possibility of an alliance between a cor
ruptly governed Russian and reactionist Ger
many, with Japanese intrigue darkening the
background. Should that sinister coalition
ever come to pass then indeed would the world
be unsafe for democracy and for all the higher
interests of mind and heart. But whether it
shall come to pass depends, we believe, not
so much on Russia and Germany as on the
Atlantic peoples that is on England, France
and America. To these belong the great posi-
tive influences of the time and the major re-
sponsibilities. The English-speaking people
alone, if they but live up to their lights, can
do vast deal to conserve world peace and to
guide the development of nations along
wholesome lines. America alone if her pow
er be cast for the cause of world equity and
concord, ;an do much to make the future Sc
cure for her ideals. But # these nations to
whom has fallen the leadership of the age
prove unworthy of their calling, if they turn
to the crooked ways of the old diplomacy and
by their example stimulate competitive arma-
ment building, if they achieve no better pol
icy than one OF sordid selt1shness and close
their minds to the larger human prospects of
the age, then need we not be surprised if the
worser impulses of Germany and Russia and
Japan wax potent, for they will be merely
pursuing our own unhappy trend
AS for present trade relations between
Germany and Russia, it would be straining
the facts beyond their reasonable import to
give them any great political significance The
beggarly Soviet Government will hardly prove
to be liberal buyer, nor will Germany, taxed
to the utmost with dar debts, have much capt.
tai to venture in Russian Developments The
important questions are: will Germany grow
truly democratic, will Russia become stable
and morally amenab1e, will America and
her peers in responsibility measure up to their
duty?