Pueblo chieftain., 1921-03-24
SOVIET LEADER
INVITES TRADE
NEGOTIATIONS
Washington Officials Con-
slider Proposal From
Lenine

Washington, D. c., March o.
Consideration by the United States
of the question of resum;ng ira lie re-
lations with the Russian government
appeared possibility today when the
state department announced receipt
OF message from Leninc, Russian
leader, appealing for conference
and announcing that he stood ready
to send an official delegation to ne
gotiate an agreement to that end.
Government officials were careful
not to commit themselves as to the
course that may be taken but there
Yero indications that the closer
scrutiny had been given tho British
Russian trade agreement and that a
somewhat broader trade interpreta-
tion had been given regulations that
defined the Wilson'S administrations
policy in dealing with the Bolshcviki.
Tho Russian appeal which in pro-
posing the opening of trade relations.
said FOR that purpose the relations
between the two republics have to be
on the whole regularized," was is
sued without comment 1t was ad
dressed to congress and President
Harding and contained an arraiGn
mcnt of President Wilson for his
| Russian policy. The hope was cx-
pressed that the United States would
not continue to follow "obdurately.
the course taken by President Viii
son. who" the note declared, with
out cause and w,tnout any deciara-
ton of war" attacked Russia and
showed a growing hostility toward
the Russian Republic"
With the proposal to send an Of
| ficial delegation the note contained
| what was construed promise
10 exclude the United states from its
field of revolutionary propaganda.
\ The soviet republic. absorbed in
the work OF internal reconstruction
and building up it's economic life"
THO note said. "has not the intention
.fpt Intervening iu tho bsterLal affairs
y Of America apd the all r ussian central
1 executive &C mmf,tee makes herewith
la categorical declaration to this
effect
In some official circles. the opinion
was expressed that satisfactory trade
relations with Russia cannot 10 re-
sumed unless the soviet government
is recognized by this country. Since
all Russian trading is in the hands
of the soviet government. it was ex-
planned. shipments of goods to this
country would be liable to attach
ment by creditors OF the imperial
| 1Susslin government.
! Recognition of the soviet by tho
United States alone, officials declar-
| cd, would legaliZc far rs this coun-
try is concerned the Russian title to
any commodities formerly owned by
the imperial government and ship
| mcnts would be free from seizure by
creditors.
Government economic experts cx-
pressed the opinion that Russia was
attempting to obtain recognition
los. lxg ~6
ton an there was in reality little that
| Russia has to offer this country.
Secretary Herbert c. Hoover, in a
statement Monday declared except
for some gold and platinum and II
little flax Russia was without any
considerable amount of commodities
probably would have market in this
! country
Confirmation OF Lenincs declaration
or his remuneration of many basic prin-
ciplcs OF Bolshevism, received by the
st.ttt department, has been given
careful study by the government cN-
perts and while 1t was realized his ap-
parent about-face may have been
nothing more than move caused by
the cxigoncies of the situation. there
was manifest here n disposition to
give 1t greater credence.
Without formal announcement hav-
lng been made the attitude of tho
United States toward the importation
of gold. supposedly Of Russian origin,
was Indicated. There is on tho way to
this country much gold shipped from
Stockholm and said to bear the mint
mark of the swedish government. 1t
! was explained that the United States
would not concern itself to the
origin of the metal and that the
parties to whom II has been consign-
ed would receive 1t at their own risk.
The position of the government is
that II cannot well impugn the status
of metal bearing the stamp of any
recognized government. The position
which the former administration held
was one OF discouragcmcnt to such
Importation
1t also became known that there has
been some slight relaxation OF the
strict regulations governing the
issuance of vises and passports,
IalthouEh it was explained that, even
now, only in extreme cases would
there be any modification.