The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1921-10-21

largely of -four. beans, rice. meat
and preserved goods.
While the exports showed a con-
siderable increase. the total trade IL
so small that 1t reflects the poor
condition of the country as a whole.
The depression In industry is shown
by the fact that exports of raw ma
terials and partly manufactured goods
multiplied about six times within the
year. While at the same time the
imports Of manufactures were In
creasing.
The efforts of the Boishevists to
place their industries In operation
by leasing them to foreigners have
so far not been very successful, ac-
cordlng TO recent observers, These
foreign operators were supposed to
take over the enterprises from the
government, TO which they would pay
a portion of their profits, while the
workmen and workmen trade unions
would determine the conditions of
labor in these. enterprises Native
Russian manufacturers were not in
cluded in this plan. except to serve
as technical advisers in their own
factories. While a few industries
hoNo bGGh oNAA hCA duuCT IIllS BCn6Ine-
there Ii no general indication Of
resumption Of normal trade. Besides
the factories and mills have been SO
depleted that new capital Is required
for development.
The principal countries with which
Russia has been trading. according
TO the report cited above, have been
the following: England. Germany,
III
with a dozen more countries doing
relatively small amount Of bust
ness. The trade here represented
as coming from the United States
passed to other countries for the
most part. However. since Deem
Der 20, 1920. all rules and reguia-
lions restricting dealings or exchange
transactions with Soviet Russia were
suspended by the Treasury Depart
ment and the Federal Reserve Board.
The State Department announced on
July Z. 1920, that individuals or firms
wishing to trade with Russia might
do SO on their own responsibility.
Little trading was possible, however.
until the fiscal regulations were re-
vised.
The changes in our trade with
Russia since 1913 were recently sum-
married. by the Bureau of Foreign
and Domestic Commerce. showing
what has happened since 1913. The
total OF exports and imports is given
in the table below. An analysis OF
the tables by articles is interesting.
Our imports from European Russia.
which amounted to over $12.250.000
in 1917. consisted chiefly OF max. furs
and skins, hides and sugar beet
seeds. In 1920 the total had dropped
to a little less than 100000 in
value. and consisted chiefly Of FAX.
furs and skins.
Our exports to Russia, which reach
ed the highest total in 1917. con-
sisted at that time OF about half
explosives. OF the other $3.50. 0o0. 900.
the principal items were copper,
shoes, leather, locomotives and ma
chinery. including a large amount
OF farm machinery, and automobiles.
The exports Of the latter. however,
were much larger in1s15 than in 1917.
In 1920 the total OF $4,000, 900 Oh
exports still consisted OF one-third
explosives, with other large items
OF wheat hour. railway machinery.
shoes. leather and clothing.
Neither Of these years can be re-
garded as typical of what Russian
trade was before the war OF what
1t may be when the opportunities
for trade are again favorable. 1t
merely serves to illustrate the I'M
balanced production of the country
as a result Of the war and other
upheavals. There has been a con-
stantiy declining total Of exports OF
goods, other than war materials,
since 1918. and the low buying power
Of both European Russia and Siberia
is shown by the great reduction in
trade this year compared with pre-
yious years.
Imports and Experts to European Russia
From the United States lsl8-ls2l.