Evening star., 1921-03-24
QUESTION
|NREDRECOCN|n0N
Commentators Ask How U. S.
Can Acknowledge BoIshe-
Vism Abroad and Not Here.
BY n. O. MESSENGER.

How can the United States recog-
nIze bolshevism abroad while con-
stantly seeking to keep it down at
home? This is the question asked by
commentators today upon the petition
of the all-Russian committee for be-
ginning trade Selations between
soviet Russia and this country. Also.
are not the German communist up
risings. believed by many to be in
spired by the Russian bolshevists,
calculated to warn against hasty ac-
tion upon the petition:
There is considerable curiosity in
official and congressional circles as
to the apparent conflict between the
attitude Of Secretary Hoover and the
state Department over entering upon
trade relations with Russia Secre-
tary Hoover's statement of last Mon
DAY was construed to mean that he
regarded it as physically impossible
to trade with Russia now. The State
departments position. by inference
at least. though not openly expressed
was deduced to be optimistic about
the possibility of trading with Russia
Depends on Lenin.
The whole case, however, is said
to depend upon the scope. extent and
sincerity of the reformation" of
Lenin and the actuality of the change
in methods which he is reported to
have explained to the tenth com
munist congress in Moscow. In Official
and congressional quarters, it is held
that this will have great weight in
determining the attitude. to be taken
by this government toward the Rus
sian position.
1t was noted that the State Depart
ment was very cautious in putting
out its announcement, but public men
generally got the impression that the
administration is warming up" to
the side of those who advocate trad
ing.
Uneasy Over Britain.
1t is thought that unquestionably
large commercial interests in this
country have become uneasy over
Great Britain's progress toward re-
suming trade relations with Russia.
and are fearful that she will get an
advantaEeous running start over
United States business in this sup
posedly rich commercial field
But there, is division Of opinion
this field is. The testimony given be-
fore the House committee on foreign
affairs at the last session upon this
subject quoted distinguished authori-
tieo 40 OoSttHS uOuDI upon Its Opu-
lence and the practica bility of ex-
plotting it. Business men jump to the
that there must be some
thing there or Great Britain would
not be so earnest in going after it.
France Remains Dubious.
France remains dubious about deal.
ing with the Russians, although she
may be led to take advantage or the
terms offered to England, which can
hardly be monopolistic as against the
rest OF the world. especially as the
United States is now practically in
vited to share them.
1t ls believed here, however. that
the German communist outbreaks
will undoubtedly serve as warning
to stop. look and listen before accent,
ing soviet Russia's offer and yieIdinp
to its request 1t was noted thai
throughout the petition the expres-
sion soviet Russia" was stressed
as indicative of the fact
that the government has not basicaIly
changed.
The subject is due for a thorouph
as soon as Congress as
sembIes. 1t was said today. The press
ure from business interests will he
revealed and at the same time tho
deep seated opposition to opening the
way for bolshevist communics tion
with this country will Undoubtedly he |
voiced.