Norwich bulletin., 1921-04-18
NO TRADE RELATIONS WITH
 THE SOVIET RUSSIAN GOVT
Secretary of State Hughes Declares in Writing Samuel Com perS Statement Regarding Russia-Asserts That Soviet Russia is in a Gigantic Economic Vacuum'-No Re sumption of Relations While the Soviet Political and
 ~ o1' Economic System Remains.

Washington, April 1T. - Secretary Hughes. writing Go Samuel Compers. president of the American Federation of Labor, who asked for a statement of the facts regarding Russia. Indicates definitely that there Is no prospect of a resumption of relations with the United States while the Soviet political and eco- homie system remains
 The letter of the Secretary of s.ate makes direct reply to various statements, characterized as propaganda. which con- tend that resumption of relations. trade or political, with the Soviets would open great current of trade of advantage to the United States and that large ship ments of Russian gold have already been made to other countries in payment for goods.
 Soviet Russia. Secretary Hughes de. clares is a gigantic economic vacuum and he adds that mo evidence exists that the unfortunate situation Is likely to be alleviated so long as the present political and economic system continues.
 Taking up specifically the charge that the scarcity of goods in Russia Is duo to the "blockade" which was removed July S. 1920. and the statement thai the demand for manufactured goods fl Russia is SO great and the purchasing power of, the Soviets 90 vast that 1t 1, almost impossible to determine the capa city of the Russian market to imports Secretary Hughes wrote.
 Though there Is almost no limit ti the amount and variety of eNmmodities urgently needed by Russia, the purchas ing power of that country Is now at !; | minimum, and the demand must con sequently remain unsatisfied. The at titude and action of the present auth l critics of Russia have tended to under mine it's political and economic relation with other countries. The Russian peH l pie are unable to obtain credit whic might otherwise be based on the vas potential wealth of Russia and are com pelled to be deprived of commodities i'm
 mediatel unnecessary for consumption. ra'
 materials and permanent productiy'
 equipment. It should not be overiooke
 that there has been a steady degeneratio in even those industries in Soviet Rus sia. that were not dependent upon i'm
 ports of either raw material or partl
 finished products nor in which has ther been any shortage of labor. There ca
 be no relation of the failure of all thes
 industries to blockades or civil war, fo : most of them require no imports. and tn [ men mobilized since the Soviet revolt ! tion were far less in number than befoi 1 that event.
 Restrictions on direct trade with Rui f sia were removed by the United Stat' on July s, 1920. The conclusion of Urea
 les of peace with the Baltic States CT t abled Russia freely to enter upon trao s with Europe and the United States ho' | American and European goods have bee : sold to Russia but the volume Of trad n has been unimportant, due to the inaDi 4 itv of Russia to pay for imports. "It is true that agents purporting | be representatives of the so-ca.led bo V shevist commissariat of foreign raS