The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1921-12-21
Recognition of Russia
Statement Of Senator Joseph
Irwin France Of Maryland

Washington, Dec. 1G.-Senator
France Of Maryland gave out the
following statement today:
Il returned 10 the United States
after an extended trip to Europe
and to Russia feeling that before
] should propose any governmental
action I ought to present my views
to the secretary Of state and wait
a reasonable time for the consd-
Grafton by the secretary Of the
measures which l suggested. My
recommendations were, / believe.
OF q conservative character Tho
papers have constantly stated that /
have advocated recognition Of the
Russian government and that
would urge upon the aGninistra-
ton formal recognition Of the Rus
sian government. This is not true,
I did however, urge upon the Sec
retary Of state the Importance Of
sending 9 commission to Russia to
investigate conditions and to dis
cuss With the defacto government
of Russia all questions OF possible
difference between the two coun-
tries. l thought the time was op-
Dortune 10 begin q negotiation Of
any claims which this country or
its citizens might have against
; Russia, 10 discuss the recognition
by the Russian government Of all OF
It's moral, legal AID financial obli-
cations, including is share Of the
old Imperial debt, to confer with
and advise With the Russians with
the view to helping them solve the
very serious problems which con-
| front Russia. to seek to open up the
markets of Russia 10 American
goods, all with a view TO a possible
recognition Of the Russian govern
ment SO that the Russians might be
placed in a position not only to
meet their old obligations. but to
come into the markets Of the world,
to borrow possibly two billions Of
dollars in addition in order that
they might purchase TIE supplies
necessary for the preservation Of
the lives Of their people and the re-
habilitation of the economic life Of
Russia
Il has not been generally under
stood that my interest in Russia
has grown out OF the fact that /
have realized that the economic
ard industrial health Of Europe
could rot be restored until there
should be a revival Of the prosper
ity of Russia. Russia has been
called the trunk Of the tree of Eu-
rope and with Russia disorganiZed
it is useless to hope that Europe
might be rehabilitated. Ny inter
est in the rehabilitation Of Europe
has been prompted by my interest
in the welfare Of the farmers, Of
the workers and Of the business
men of America. We are suffer
ing here an agricultural, industrial
and financial depression which is
wholly unnecessary and which is
due 10 the fact that we are not able
TO sell our surplus foodstufTs and
manufactured articles TO Europe.
During the first ten months OF 1920
our exports were in round num-
| bers $6,S0O,000.000 while in the
same period in 1921 they were ap-
| proximately $3,S00.0 100000. l call
Cd attention to the fact that this
sum of three billions OF dollars
! would have been more than sutti-
cient to pay four millions OF men
seventy dollars :, Month Tor ten
/ months.
Our exports have fallen off
while Europe requires our goods
! IN quantities perhaps as great as
those required during the period OF
the war. Our farmers have on
hand great supplies Of wheat, corn,
cotton and wool while millions OF
people in Europe face starvation
and disease or death from exposure
10 the cruel blasts Of winter unpro-
tected by the proper clothing. Our
shoe factories are marking time
while millions in Europe must walk
/ the winter SHOWS unshod. Many OF
our machinistS. our steel workers.
are idle. Our railroad equipment,
factories, all lines Of industry are
running but portion Of the time
while Russia needs machinery,
steel products, railroad equipment,
tools and almost every conceivable
manufactured article. America
should have an opportunity Of sup
plying this need for her own in
terest and for the sake OF human
ity. The policy Of sending com