New-York tribune., 1921-05-18
No Trade Until
Reds Set Free
u. S. Prisoners
Moscow Warned That This
Nation Will Not Recog-
nize Soviet While Amer
leans Remain Captive
Naval Threat Discussed
Demonstration i'm Black
Sea Possible if Lenine
Continues Unresponsive

rrost TIE TrSbxsse's waskinetes Bwreas
WASHINGTON, May 1T---Until every
American held prisoner in Soviet Rus
sia is released and nationals of this
government are accorded freedom of
movement in the Russian territory, the
Harding Administration will reject all
overtGres made by the Bolshevik su-
thorities toward resumption Of diple-
matte or trade relations.
This policy of ncn-recognition, it is
understood, has been communicated to
the ine-Trotzsy regime in Russia
with great emphasis by American
4 srokesmenf and no change will be au-
thorized in this position until evidence
is given by the Russian powers that
these American hostages are restored
to all their riglts IN that nation.
A mass of evidence is before the
State Department on the treatment ac-
corded the twenty or more American
citixens who are held by the Soviet
authorities. Information is at hand to
show that some of the prisoners have
been compelled to face distressing con-
ditions, with little food and made
quate clothing, and held, in prisons
which are unsanitary.
Requests for Release Refused
Repeated requests from the govern
ment to release these innocent Ameri-
cans have been fatty rejected by the
Soviet authorities, indicating that the
retention of the Americans is wholly
for the purpose of forcing America to
Nnct u-f4 Hn Rni irl
first by expanding trade relations and
finally by authorizing political recog-
nition. Should the efforts now being
made by the Administration to gain
the release of the Americans be unsuc-
eessful, it is probable that more drastic
steps may be taken.
It is known that consideration has
been given by officials here to the prop
ositlon of sending the American feet
now In European waters into the Black
Sea to make a visible display Of the
esrnestness of this government. Ad-
nliral Albert P. Niblack, in command Of
the American forces in European
waters. with headquarters at London.
naval officials declared, could take the
twenty or more vessels in his command
into Russian waters without great diff
Guilty. Admiral Nibiack's flagship is
the Pittsburgh, an armored cruiser.
and he has twelve destroyars and auxil-
iary vessels fully equipped for a naval
demonstration should one be decided
upon.
Unsuccessful efforts were made by
the Wilson Administrator to bring re-
lief to the imprisoned Americans, al
though steps were taken through the
officials of neutral countries to press
the American position. These efforts
were fatty rejected by the Boishevik
authorities, who sought to justify the
detention of the Americans ON the
ground That their activities within the
empire were inimicafs TO the Boishevik
doctrine. Appeals were then made Ia
afford the Americans the opportunitv
OF proving that their presence in Rus
sia was due entirely &c business err
rands wholly disconnected with poll
tics. These efforts were dismissed bv
the Soviet authorities, who declared
that fair trials" already had been ac-
corded the prisoners.
Americans Held as HOSTAGES
Evidence has been accommodating in
the State Department to show that the
Russian authorities are holding the
Americans prisoners practically as hos
tages to force recognition by this gov
eminent. This Interpretation of the
refusal of the Soviet authorities to
recognize che efforts made in behalf
oil the imprisoned nationals has been
strengthened since the dispatch bv
Secretary Hughes of the rejection Of
the Soviet overture to resume trade re-
lations with this government. This
statement, dispatched late in March to
the American consul at Reval for de-
livery to Soviet Foreign Minister Lit
ylnof, contained the assertion that
this government believed that funda-
mental changes were required in the
Soviet form Of government before any
dealings could be authorized by the
United States.
The Soviet scheme of government
vas characterized in this note as pro-
vtding causes Of progressive impov-
erishment," and changes "involving
due regard for the protection of life
and property and thu establishment
Of conditions essential to maintenance
Of commerce" were outlined as neces-