Omaha daily bee., 1921-08-02
II. S. To Aid
: StarVlng g
In Russia
Relief Will Not Bolster Up
Political Soviet Regime,
Opinion of Federal
Officials.
Hoover To Be in Charge
BY GRAFTON S. WILCOX.


Chicago Tribune Omaha Bee Leased Wire.
Washington, Aug. l.-America will
help the starving people OF Russia
unofficially, and will do it in such a
way as not to bolster up the political
soviet regime which this government
believes embraces false and destruc-
tive economic theory.
In his note on the political atti-
tude of the United States toward
soviet Russia several months ago.
Secretary OF State Hughes declared
that the soviet regime was rapidly
bringing about the progressive I'M
poverishment of Russia. Now Rus
sia is starving and crying for help.
its progressive impoverishment"
having reached the stage where the
soviet leaders are willing to appeal
for aid to a nation that believes in
the recognition Of private property.
The fact that the soviet govern
mental system has wrecked Russia
economically and that Russia has ap-
pealed for food does not alter the
position taken by the United States
toward the Russian soviet govern
ment politically in any way. What
the future nray bring forth, not even
Secretary OF State Hughes will ven
ture to predict, If the government
Of Russia should recognize proper
ty rights and develop production
through which it should establish
a basis for credit, its relations with
the United States might be altered,
but not until then.
Not Diplomatic Wedge.
Asked today ii the Hoover relief
expedition into Russia might be an
wedge toward restoration of
diplomatic relations between the
United States and Russia, adninistra-
ion officials declared the relief move
rad no such intention, but that no
one could predict what changes
night be wrought in Russia.
The United States. it was pointed
out, has no lack of sympathy for
he starving and suffering people of
Russia, and it will send aid unofi-
tally and in a manner which can
Tot possibly compromise this gov
The Hoover relief
measures will, under no circum-
tances, be permitted to assume any
,olitical character. Nothing but the
el;ef OF the Russian sufferers is ii1-
.clved in the Hoover expedition. Mr..
Hoover. as secretary of commerce,
las nothing to do with the relief.
lie happens to be the head of the
american Relief administration.
1hich operates unot4lcially and in a
capacity. No one
;nows what the effect of the relief
night be in Russia, but officials here
10 not believe that it will, OF itself,
ring any change in the Russian
economic system which would halt
Ter progressive irlpoverishment."
Before that can happen Russia must
ave political relief. 1t has not yet
ppealed for that.
No Trade Obstruction.
This government insists that there
; no obstruction on the part of the
United States toward trade with
Russia, but that there is no trade
ecause Russia produces nothing and
as nothing with which to pay for
commodities and will not have until
IS government will grant security
0 property and life in order to give
reduction a chance
Asked how the overnment would
eceive Senator Frances suggestion
hat Russia be given $4,00O,000,00O
i credit, administration officials
miled and asked:
"On what security"
At the State department it was
aid that no official word had been
eceived of the soviet's agreement to
elease American prisoners as fore
unner of American relief, but that
othing had been received to indi-
ate that this action had not been
AIKEN. Secretary of Commerce
Ioover received. however, a reply
,om Maxim Gorky irclosing reply j.,
.om NJ. Kamineff, . soviet official,
romising release of all Americans.
ir. Hoover, accordingly, is going {
head with his plans for relief and
abled Walter Lyman Brown, Euro
can director of the American relief
rganization, to proceed Immediately