The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 1921-04-29

continues Mr. Gompers, "in which he
says, F." no evidence exists that
the unfortunate condition above de-
scribed is likely TO be alleviated SO
long as the present political and eco
nomic system continues.
'As to how long the Bolshevists ex-
pect that system to continue there is
the highest Bolshevist authority IN
the words of Lenine himself who re-
peatedly mas said that the dictatorship
would continue for Il period of from
40 TO 80 years and whose most recent
pronouhcement contains the following
statement:
1--WE ourselves have never talked
of liberty. All we have said is die
tatorship of the proletariat.' :
In Russia the working class, proper
" so-called, is in a minority. That
minority is imposing its will and will
continue to do SO as long as other
elements IN s9eiety resist. the econom-
ic conditions that Communism lays
down / should say from 40 to
80 years"
Omitting Introductory terms and
some detailed statistics the letter .f
Secretary Hughes is as follows:
"rhe receipt is acknowledged CT
your letter of March Is, 1921, in re-
gard TO the trade relations between
the United States ana Russia.
Il recognize the interest of the
American people in the questions you
raise and | take pleasure in replying
in dctail to them.
Has Little to Sell
In reply to your first statement, it
is evident that after years of war, dur
ing which normal industry was di
verted to the production of war sup
plies and accumulated stocks were
consumed, Russia does not now pos
sess important quantities of commodi-
ties which might be exported
1T should be remembered that in
addition to the period of the war
against Germany, Russia has now
passed through more than three years
of civil war during which industrial
activities have been almost completely
paralyzcd III fact the devastation OF
industry in Russia has been so COM
plete, the poverty of the country is so
acute, the people are so hungry and
the demand for commodities is so
great that at present Russia repre-
sents gigantic economic vacuum and
no evidence exists that the unfortu-
nate situation above described IS
likely to be alleviated SO long as the
present political and economic system
continues.
Though there is almost no limit to
the amount and variety of commodi-
ties urgently needed by Russia, the
purchasing power of that country IS
now at minimum, and the demand
must consequently remain ufiSatiSiled.
Effect of War
"In some respects the condition of
Russia is analogous to that of other
European countries The war has left
the people with diminished productive
man-powr and largely increased
numbers of the disabled, the sick and
the helpless.
''In enc important respect, however,
Russias condition does not correspond
to that of other belligerent states in
the world war While those states are
taking such action as is likely to re-
establish confidence, the attitude and
action of The present authorities of
Russia have tended to undermine its
political and economic relations with
other countries.
'The Russian people are unable to
obtain credit which otherwise might
be based on the vast potential wealth
of Russia and are compelled to be de-
prived of commodities Immediately
necessary for consumption, raw ma
terials and permanent productive
equipment.
Can't Get Settled
"The effect Of this condition is that
Russia is unable to renew normal eco-