Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1921-03-29

TRADE WITH RUSSIA
United States Demands Certain Fun
damentai Reforms.

United States Demands Certain Fun
damentaI Reforms.
The American government notified
the Soviet authorities in Russia Friday
that resumption Of trade between
Russia and the United States could
not be considered until fundamental
changes had been made in the econ
omic system underlying the Soviet re-
gime.
Safety of human life guarantee Of
property rights, free labor and obser-
vance of the sanctity Of contracts
were among the requirements laid
down in brief note by Secretary
Hughes as essential If the doors of
commerce between the two countries
are once more to. be- opened. The
communication added that "convinc-
ing evidence of the consummation
of such charges" must be furnished
before this government even cared to
discuss the subject.
These requirements, the note de-
clared lie at the foundation Of Rus
sian productivity, by which alone the
nation could hope to rebuild her for
eign trade and make herself attrac-
tive economically to; the snations with
t Which sic desires to exchange pro-
| ducts.
The communication was made pub
lie at the stale department in the
form of a statement by Secretary
Hughes with the notation that Il copy
Of il had been sent to the American
| consul ut Rcval, Esthonia, 10 be hand
cd to Litvinoff, the Soviet representa-
| tive there. The note was in reply to
The appeal recently addressed by the
Soviet regime to President Harding
and congress asking that the trade re-
!ations between the United States and
Russia he restorcd and proposing to
send Il delegation TO the United States
to negotiate TO that end. No mention
was made ny Secretary Hughes of the
nroposal to send u delegation to this
country.
rrior to making final decision the
Russian trade question was discussed
for nearly two hours by President
Harding and his cabinet taking into
account a vast collection Of data on
Russian conditions gathered by the
stale and commerce departments. In
Il statement after the note had been
made public Secretary Hoover de-
| clarcd the conclusion reached shows
the complete agreement of the views
Of the whole administration"
Unlike previous official pronounce
mcnls of the American governments
attitude toward the Soviet regime
Secretary Hughes note dealt solely
with the economic aspects Of the prob
lem and made no attempt To discuss
The political shortcomings OF the un-
recognized BnIshevist government. IL
set forth in a few words the reasons
why the United States considers II
Door business to trade with Russia
under existing conditions. but made
no indictment against I3olshevism as
Il political system.
1t was pointed out however. that
there was nothing in the note to re-
verse or modify the communication
To- Italy in which the Wilson admin
istration set forth ut length last Aug
ust the unwillingness Of the United
States To enter into political ncgota-
tions with Il government "bascd upon
the negation of every principle of'hon-
or and good faith"
Secretary Hoove:s statement fol-
lows:
"Sccrctary Hughes statement on
the Russian trade situation today
shows the complete agreement in the
view of the whole administration:
"As a matter of trade the first thing
to he determined about Russia is il
and when they change their economic
system. If they so change its basis as
to accept the right of private property
freedom and labor. provide for the
safety Of human life, ETC.. there IS
hone Of their recovery from the mis-
cries of famine: there is hope of Il
SLOW recovery in production and the
urhlildinG of trade.
Nothing is more important to the
whole commercial world than the re-
cnvrry OF productivity In Russia.
However, without Il fundamental
change in their whole economic sys-
tenn there will he no consequential
trade or production and no stnppH%r
of continuous degeneration.