The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1921-03-30
OPPOSED TO
SOVIET PLEA
President Harding Re-
fuses to Talk Over
Trade Treaty With
Lenine Agent

lean government notified the Soviet
authOrities in Russia today that the
resumption of trade between Russia
and the United States could not be-
considered until fundamental changes
had been made in the economic sys-
tenn underlying the Soviet regime.
Safety OF human life, guarantee Of
property right. free labor and observ-
ance Of the sanctity of contracts were
among the requirements laid down in
a brief note by Secretary Hughes as
essential IL the doors of commerce be-
tween the two countries are once
more to be opened. The communica-
ton added that convincing evidence
of the consummation OF such changes
must be furnished before this govern
ment even cared to discuss the sub
ject.
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 attrac-
tive economically to the nations with
which she desired to exchange prod
ucts.
The communication was made pub
lie at the state department in the
form of a statement by Secretary
Hughes with the notation that a copy
of 1t had been sent to the American
consul at Reval, EsthOnia, to be hand
ed TO Litvinoff, the Soviet representa-
tive there. The note was in reply to
the appeal recently addressed by the
Soviet regime to President Harding
and congress, asking that trade rela-
tions between the United States and
Russia be restored and proposing to
send n delegation to the United States
to negotiate to that end No mention
was made by Secretary Hughes of the
proposal to send delegation to this
country.
Prior to making q final decision,
the Russian trade question was dis
cussed for nearly two hours by Pres
ident Harding and his cabinet, taking
into account vast collection of data
on Russian conditions gathered by
the state and commerce. departments
In statement after the note had
been made public Secretary Hoover
declared the conclusion reached
shows the complete agreement of the
'iNNo VI tiiS WHOlc H..
Unlike previous official pronounce
ments Of the American governments
attitude toward the Soviet regime,
Secretary Hughes note dealt solely
with the economic aspects of the
problem and made no attempt TO dis
cuss the political shortcomings of the
Bolshevist government.
1t set forth in few words the rea-
sons why the United States considers
1t poor business to trade with Russia
under existing conditions, but made
no indictment against Bolshevism as
a political system.
1T was pointed out, however, that
there was nothing in the note to re-
verse or modify the communication 10
Italy in which the Wilson administra-
tion set forth at length last August
the unwil!ingness Of the United States
to enter into political negotiations
with government based upon the
negation OF every principle oi nonor
and good faith"
Secretary Hoover's statement fol-
lows:
secretary Hughes statement on
the Russian trade situation today
shows the complete agreement in the
views of the whole administration.
AS matter of trade the first
thing to be determined about Russia
Is If and when they change their eco
nomic system. If they so change its
basis as TO accept the right of private
property. freedom OF labor. provide
Tor the safety of human life. etc,
Nl... l..
the miscries OF famine; there is hope
OF slow recovery i'm production and
the upbuilding OF trade.
Nothing is more important to the
whole commercial world than the re-
covery OF productivity i'm Russia.
However, without fundamental
change I'm their whole economic sys-
TEN, there will be no consequential
trade or production and no stoppage
of continental degeneration.