Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-03-31
Our Dealings With Russia

~ Rum current QlSCuSSlonS oI "udt IAo
II Washington Government should do i'll
regard TO Russia it might be inferred
that business dealings between that country
and ours had virtually ceased. The fact is,
however, that our exports thither were OF
appreciably greater value in 1920 than in the
year before the war. To European Russia
we shipped products amounting to some
fifteen and a half million dollars, as COM
pared with about twenty-siX millions in 1913;
but to Asiatic Russia, upwards of thirteen
and quarter million, as compared with less
than one million in 1918. Imports naturally
show a heavy falling off, with production in
Russia completely disorganiZed. But it is
highly significant that our sales to the Rus
sian people have increased despite Bolshevik
Rawlings and unsettled diplomatic relations.
While American trade with l ussia, export
and import, aggregated forty million dollars
last year as against fifty million in 1913
Japanese trade with that country amounted
to nearly ten million as against only three
million in 1913. AS for Great Britain, the
National City Bank of New York, which has
made extensive inquiry into this subject,
quotes official figures from London showing
that her total imports from Russia in 1920
were e34.183, 900 as against $40, 271,000 in
1913, while her exports to Russia were, do
mestic, &11, 1913 900 in 1920 Against 81 ,1O3,-
900 in 1913, and of foreign merchandise re-
exported to Russia, 81 ,842 900 in 1920 against
So, 591 900 in 1913. Japan's total trade with
Russia in 1920 is approximately $4,000, 900
yen as against 100000 il 1913, and
Switzerlands trade in 1919, the latest year
for which her figures are available 1913 ,000,-
600 francs against 1870 100000 in 1913,
though it IS proper to suggest that the articles
forming the 1920 trade of all countries with
Russia measured in prices per unit of
quantity materially higher than those Of
1913"
From all this it appears that recognition of
the Lenine-Trotzky regime is not needful for
the development OF such trade Possibilities as
Russia now 1ffords. Mr.. Samuel Gompers is
on firm ground when he declares, in answer
to those labor elements who Fave criticized
his refusal indorse the Soviet Government
or to urge it's recognition by the United
States "In these days it is past understand
ing how American citizens can bring them
selves to aid and comfort a propaganda that
has for its destruction the trade labor move
ment in America and the overthrow of our
republic; VIII n the people of Russia elect a
representative government, the American Fed
Grafton of Labor will be the first to urge its
recognition" To forbid or discourage trade
with Russia would be altogether i'll advised /;
it. would give Lenine a basis of appeal for
popular sympathy and would work hardships
upon the innocent Russian rank and file. But
evidently there is no need of offering moral
and diplomat countenance to the Bolshevik
tyrants in order to maintain trade relations.
It is gr2atlv to be hoped; nevertheless. that
ere long the Russian peonle will take charge
of their affairs and establish government
which in reason and Justice can be recognized
The form theory Of that government
should ho is not for outsiders t.. fix Whether
the P"~s'"ns want Socialism or monarchy or
democracy, they should have it. But other