The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-03-26
AMERICA ANSWERS
SOVIET NOTE ON
TRADE RESUMP TON
Requirements Laid Down In
clude Fundamental Changes
In Economic System of
Soviet Regime
nv Associated Prnns

Washington, March 25.-The Amer-
lean government notified the soviet
authorities in Russia today that re-
sumption of trade between Russia and
the United States could not be cons
sidered until fundamental changes
had been made in the economic sys-
tenn underlying the soviet regime.
Safety of human life, guarantee OF
property rights. free labor and OBJ
servance of the sancity of contracts
were among the requirements laid
down in a brief note by Secretary
Hughes as essential IL the doors of
commerce between the two countries
are once more to be opened. The COM
munication added that convincing evil
dence of the contamination of such
changes" must be furnished before this
government even cares to discuss the
subject.
These requirements, the note de-
clared, lay at the foundation OF Rus
sian productivity. by which alone the
nation could hope to rebuild her for
eign trade and make herself attractive
wbich che desires 10 exchanges prod-
ucts.
NOTE MADE PUBLIC
The communication was made public
at the state department in the form
of a statement by Secretary Hughes
With the notation that copy of 1t had
been sent to the American consul at
Reval, Esthonia- to be handed 10 LII
vinon, the soviet representative there.
The note was In reply TO the appesf
recently addressed py the SOVIET regime
to president HARDING ana congress-
asking that trade relations between
the United states and RUSSIA pc re-
stored and proposing TO SEND delega-
ton TO the United states TO negotiate
to that end. No mention was made by
Secretary Hughes OF the proposal 10
send delegation to this country
Prior to making nnal decision, tho
Russian trade question was discussed
for nearly TWO hours by Fresloeht
Harding and his cabinet
| a vast collection OF data on RUSSIAN
conditions gathered by the state ana
commerce departments was e4amineu.
In statement after the note mad been
made public secretary aooVer de-
clared the conclusion reached SHOWS
the complete agreement OF the views OK
the whole admlnistratlon,
SHORT AND CONCISE
unllKe previous oHiclai pronounce
menus OIL the american government
attituue toWarus the soViet res ing,
oecretaiy CUISINES hoee osAt soiots
WIN ths econoinic aspect % ehe plop
tsni any liaue no a' 1sh;.. ~ s
.ne UNI ee'siiiA po4sneYiss soNV.n
, ,n ~ se.s i ~, ~ ~ r,.sS Stot
siSe.,' 4. ~ h,,., ~. - traaa .'sta
pus,s;a 49, ~ - 1870. sa,.;tians ~
| .sa.ss s5..,.ss.ss.. p -. ,,a1.hss,
4 ~, nit,toa, s',s+a,v,
II was roin+aa o,,t ho,yavsr maj
/ thara was nafbins T., tba note 70 70
1 varsa or n,odisv tba con,rnunication IL
/ Ital,, IN which tba uiIson adrbinistra
j tion ser forth a. 1engtb last Aupust
| tbe unwiIIinpness of The Tinted states
/ to enter into nautical negotiations
! v-ith government chased unon the
| negotiation OF every nrinciple OF honor
and good faith"
| On the other hand the manner in
| which today's note was made public
had none of the air of usual diplo-
matte negotiations being contained in
| this official announcement from tho
state department:
The Secretary of State made the
! following statement today, copy of
| which, transmitted by cable to the
American consul at Reval will be
/ TEXT OF NOTE N
THE consul of the American govern
ment," says the communication views
with sympathy and great concern the
fight OF the people OF Russia and de-
sires to aid by every appropriate means
In promoting proper opportunities through
which commerce can be established upon
| a sound basis. 1t is manifest to this
government that in existing circum-
stances there is no assurance for the de-
velopment of trade, as the supplies which
Russia might now be able to obtain
would be wholly inadequate to meet her
needs, and no lasting good can result 50
long as the present causes of progressive
| Improvement continue to operate. 1t IS
only in the productivity Of Russia that
there is any hope for the Russian peo-
pie, and 1t is idle to expect resumption
of trade until the economic basis OF pro-
duction are securely established. Produc-
ton is conditioned upon the safety OF
| life, the recognition by firm guarantees
of private property, the sanctity OF con-
tract and the rights OF free labor. IL
fundamental changes are contemplated