The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1921-03-28
NO RUSSIAN TRADE
UNTIL CHANGES COME
American So Notifies Authorities of
Soviet Replying to Note-Doors
of Commerce To Remain
Closed.

sumption OF trade between Russia
and the United States could not be
considered until fundamental
changes had been made in the eco
nomic system underlying the Soviet
regime.
Safety Of human life guarantee Of
property rights, free labor and OBJ
servance of the sanctity of contracts
were among the requirements laid
down in a 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 changes" must be furnished be-
fore 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 nations with
which she desires to exchange prod
ucts.
The communication was made pub
lie at the state department in the
form of a statement by Secretary
hughes with the notation that a
copy of it had been sent to the
American consul at Revsl, Esthonia,
to be handed to- Litvinoff, the So
Wet representative there. The note
was in reply to the appeal. recently
addressed by the Soviet regime to
President Harding and congress ask
ing that trade relations between the
United States and Russia be restored
and proposing to send a delegation
to the United States to negotiate to
that end. No mention was made by
Secretary Hughes of the proposal to
send delegation to this country.
Vast Collection of Data.
Prior to making a final decision,
the Russian trade question was dis
cussed for nearly two hours by Pres
ident Harding and his cabinet taking
into account vast collection of data
on Russian conditions gathered by
the state and commerce departments.
In a statement after the note had
been made public Secretary Hoover
declared the conclusion reached
."shows the complete agreement of
the views of the whole administra-
tion."
Unlike previous official pronounce
ments of the American governments
attitude toward the Soviet regime,
Secretary Hughes note dealt solely
with the economic aspects of the
problem and made no attempt to
discuss the political shortcomings of
the unrecognized Bolshevisr govern
ment. It set forth in a few words
the reasons why the United States
considers it poor business to trade
with Russia under existing condi.
tions, but made no indictment against
Bolshevism as political system.
Communication to Italy.
1t was pointed out, however, that
there was nothing in the note to
reverse or modify the communication
to Italy in which the Wilson ad..
ministration set forth at length last
Augus4 the unwillingness Of the
United States to enter into politi--
cal negotiations with a government
"based upon the negation of every
principle of honor and good faith" +"
Secretary Hoover's statement fol-
lows:
Secretary Hughes statement on
the Russian trade situation today
shows the complete agreement in the
views of the whole administration
"As a matter of trade the first
thing to be determined about Rus
sia is if and when they change their
economic system. If they so change
it's basis as to accept the right of
private property, freedom of labor,
provide for the safety of human life,
etc, there is hope of their recovery
from the miseries of famine. there is
hope of a slow recovery in produc-
tion and the upbuildinp of trade,