The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1921-08-02
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.

i serve Lie Oh AtIllbfS AHUOtCIf wv
Representing Government.
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.
/ Special Dispatch to The Reformer.)
| Copyright 1921
WASHINGTON, Aug. Russia,
outcast among nations, has an Oppor
ltunity now to come back into the field.
Starvation and disease. more potent than
arguments about the relative merits of
/ Boshevism and capitalism, are altering
the attitude of the Russian authorities TO
the extent that they no longer declare
| themselves independent of the Outsidel
| world and they are willing to accept aid
/ from nations which held to the economic1
theory of private property as a basis of
i wealth
/ Our government is waiting patiently for
| the release of all American citizens who
/ have been held prisoner. Until that rsI
/ assured there viii be no comment as to
| the conditions under which the United|
/ States Will enter into closer relations with
| the Russian authorities. But even then
4 the government here is reluctant to issue
announcements on the subject of Ameri-1
| can recognition at a time when misery
and famine are sweeping Russia and
every humanitarian instinct is for relief
1 rather than legal discussion of formulas.
/ So far as trade with Russia is con-
/ oerned. however there is no change of
i view here. Until the Russians produce
1 something on which basis of trade can
Il be arranged there VIII be no trade rela-
Il tons. RuSsia'S supply of gold has been
II depleted. She has very little that the
II other side would care to buy. She needs
1 external aid to stimulate her manufactur-
ing and commercial enterprises. This out
II side capital is barred from Russia by the
S0viets, who have been steering their
own economic course without regard to
the effect on the economic practices of the
rest of the world. Bolshevism has failed
to convert the world 10 its cause and the
inevitable answer Is a surrender 10 the
established methods of business which
have for their foundation respect for
III private property. ..
1t seems certain that the United States
will remain adamant on this point. In
formation here is to the effect that the
III British and other nations which have
aind of trade relation with Russia are
disappointed with the results. There viii
II be no trade agreement therefore until
america can see practical basis which
will permit of a quid pro quo among the
merchants of the world.
| But the plight of Russia's people is
entirely apart from the problem of deal
ing with the Russian government M
| obstacle stands in the way of whole
hearted relief. Every encouragement is
being given by our government to a relief
program 1t so happens that the
| American Relief organization is an un-
official body and that Herbert Hoover i
rs executive Mr.. Hoover's action as
executive of the relief organization was
unofficial and nOn-governmental. But
since Mr. Hoover is also a member of the
cabinet he has the opportunity to consult
4 with President Harding and Secretary
Il and hue 70,
port OF our government for the relief pro-
iect.
Such money as will be raised for the
relief of the Russians will not come out
II If the governments funds here, but win
De sought from the American people who
| have never failed to relieve distress in
any part of the world. The American
Red Cross has a remarkable record for
| help extended in the flooded areas of
4 china and the earthquake regions of
Italy The disaster in Russia is said
"A to be even worse. Millions of persons are
suffering from lack of food and are really
On the verge of starvation. The number
actually dying daily from starvation is
not known. but every official bit of infor-
nation indicates that the most horrible
conditions exist inside Russia.
The censorship on the one hand and the
refusal OF the Soviets to permit foreign
| correspondents to enter Russian territory
has prevented the outside world from
knowing what has really been going on
IN Russia under Soviet rule Our govern
ment has known for months that Russia
was going from bad to worse and has felt
that the Russian authorities We're to
blame. There seemed no other way TO
bring the Soviet to terms than by letting
them absolutely alone until they recog-
nlzed fully the extent of their folly The
Russian Soviets, apparently, are begin
ming to see it now and are turning to the
outside world for aid. There is no evil
dence that the American government will
give vent to any vengeful spirit because
OF the long period within which American
I prisoners were held. On the contrary.
the government here hopes to be able to
do much to relieve the distress of the
russian people who have been powerless
I to control the Soviet clique responsible
4 Tor the present disaster Out of it all,
however. is eventually coming better rela-
1 tons with Russia for the influence of
4 the United States as a good Samaritan
4 cannot be erased by the Soviets and the
Y chances are that food and clothing will
\ bring reconciliation though it will take
n months to reach the goal