The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-03-24
State Department Announces Receipt of Note From Lenine and Close Scrutiny Given Recently Negotiated British Russian Agreement.
By Associated Press

with the Russian soviet government appeared to be possibility today, when the state department an- nounced the receipt of a message from Lenine, the Russian leader, ap- pealing for a conference and announc- ing that he stood ready to send an official delegation to this country for the purpose of negotiating an agree ment to that end.
 Government officials were careful not to commit themselves as to the course that may be taken, but there were indications that the closes : scrutiny had been given the recently negotiated British Russian trade agreement and that already a some what broader interpretation had been given the regulations that defined the Wilson administrations policy in deal ing with the bolshevk government.
 NO COMMENT
 The text of the Russian appeal. which, in proposing opening trade relations between the two countries said flor that purpose the relations between the two republics have to be on the whole regularized" was issued without comment It was addressed to the United States Congress and to President Harding and contained an arralgnment of President Wilson for his policy in dealing with Russia. The hope was expressed that the United States would not continue to follow obdurFtely" the course taken by PresidSnt Wilson, who, the note de- clared, without cause and without any declaration of war had attacked Russia and showed during his whole administration growing hostility to- ward the Russian republic'
 With the formal proposal to send an official delegation here the note contained what was construed as a promise to exclude the United States from its field of revolutionary propa- ganda. 'The soviet republic entirely absorbed in the work of internal re- construction and building up it's economic life" the note said has not the intention of intervening Tn the in- ternal affairs of America and the all- Russian central executive committee makes herewith a categorical declara- tion to this effect"
 GIVEN CLOSE STUDY
 Continuation of Lenine's declaration of his renunciation of many of the basic principles of bolsheyism, re- ceiyed by the state department. has been given careful study by the gov ernment experts and, while it is real ized his apparent about face may have been nothing more than a move caused by the exigencies of the situation there was manifest here a disposition 70 give 1t greater credence.
 Without formal announcement hav- fing been made, the attitude of the United States towards the. importa- ton of gold supposedly of Russian origin. was indicated. There now is on the way to this country a large quantity of gold shipped from Stock q fl +L of the Swedish government. It was explained that the United States would not concern itself as to the origin Of the metal and that the parties to whom it had been consigned would receive 1t at their own risk, leaving the adjustment of any question as to It's ownership to the courts. The posi- ton of the government is that it can not well impugn the status of metal which bears the stamp of any recog nized government. The position which The former administration held was one of discoura cement to any such importation
 SLIGHT RELAXATION
 It. also became known today that there has been some slight relaxa- ton O. the strict regulations govern Ing the issuance of vises and pass ports. although it was explained that
 
 would there be any modification
 In some official circles the opinion was expressed that satisfactory trade relations with Russia cannot he re- stunned unless the soviet government is recognized by this country. Since all russian trading is in the hands of the soviet government, it was explain ed. shipments of goods to this coun- try would be liable to attachment bv creditors of the imperial Russian gov ernment.
 Recognition of the soviet by the United States alone would lepalize of- ficials declared X so far as this coun try is concerned, the Russian title to any commodities formerly owned by the imperial government and ship ments would be free from seizure by creditors of the old regime.
 Such case of attachment has&5bean decided by the. British courts. it is re. called, in the case of a shipment of lumber from Russia, which was at tached by creditors of the imperia, government, who contended that the cargo was the property of the old gov. ernnent unlawfully taken by the so, vet The British court held, it was added, that attachment would lie and the creditors of the Russian govern ment were entitled to so much of the lumber as was necessary to satisfy their debts
 Economic experts of the United States government expressed the opin. ion that Russia was attempting to ob- tain recognition under the guisk of trade negotiations, as there was in reality little that Russia now has .o offer this country. Secretary Hoover in formal statement last Monday de- clared, except for some gold and plar, mum and a little flax, Russia wa. without any considerable amour, of commodities which would have a market in this country.
 TEXT OF NOTE
 The text of the communication sent by the Russian government to the United States government follows: ''To the Congress of the United States and His Excellency. President Hard ing, Washington:
 Have the honor to transmit. as in. structed by my government, following message. signed Litvinoff plenipoten- tiary, representative of Russian repub- lie to Esthonia.
 March 20. From the first days of her exist ence, Soviet Russia had nourished the hope of the possibility of a speedy es- tablishment of friendly relations witt the great republic of North America and had firmly expected that intimate and solid ties would be created be- tween the two republics to the greater advantage of both.
 At the tirne whep fba onteura noVr.