Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1921-03-26
be furnished before this government
even cares to discuss the subject.
Productivity ls Basis.

be furnished before this government
even cares to discuss the subject.
Productivity Is Basis.
These requirements. the note de-
clared. lay at the foundation Of Russian
productivity. by which alone the nation
could hope to rebuild her foreign trade
and make herself attractive economical
4ly to the nations with which she desires
to exchange products.
The communication was made public
at the state department in the form Of
a statement by Secretary Hughes with
sent to the American consul at Reyal,
Esthonia, to be handed to Litvinoff,
the soviet representative there. The
note was in reply to the appeal recently
addressed by the soviet regime to
President Harding and congress, asking
that trade relations between the Unit
ed States and Russia be restored and
proposing to send 3 delegation to the
United States to negotiate to that end.
No mention was made by Secretary
Hughes of the proposal to send 4 dele
cation to this country.
Administration Unit.
Prior to making 4 final decision, the
Russian trade question was discussed
for nearly two hours BY President
Harding and his cabinet, taking into
account a 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 views Of the
the whole administration"
Unlike previous official pronounce
ments of the American governments
attitude toward the soviet regime, Sec
retary Hughes note dealt solely with
the economic aspects of the problem
and made no attempt to discuss the po-
itical shortcomings of the unrecoE-
nized bolshevist government.
sons why the United States considers it
under existing conditions, but made no
indictment against bolsheyism as q po-
litical system.
1t was pointed out, however. that
there was nothing in the note to re-
verse or modify the communication to
Italy in which the Wilson administra-
ton set forth at length last August
the unwillingness of the United States
to enter into political negotiations with
a government based upuon the mega
tion of every principle of honor and
good faith"
Proof Of Faith, Demand.
Fridays communication follows:
The government of the United
States views with deep sympathy
and grave concern the plight Of the
people of Russia. and desires to aid
by every appropriate means in pro-
moting proper opportunities through
which commerce can be established
upon a sound basis. It is manifest
TO this government. that in existing
circumstances, there is no assurances
tor the development Of trade, as the
supplies which Russia might now be
able to obtain would be wholly in
ADEQUATE to meet her needs and no
lasting good can result SO long as
the present causes of progressive i'm
poverishment continue to operate.
1t is only in the productivity Of
Russia that there Is any hope for
the Russian people and it is idle
to expect resumption of trade un-
til the economic bases Of produc-
tion are securely established, Pro-
duction is conditioned upon the
safety of life, the recognition by
firm guarantees of private prop
erty, the sancitity of contract, and
the rights Of free labor.
If fundamental changes are con-
templated involving due regard for
the protection Of persons and prop
erty and the establishment of con-
ditions essential to the mainten-
ance OF commerce, this government
will be glad to have convincing evi-
dence of the consummation Of such
changes. and until this evidence is
supplied this government is un-
able to perceive that there is any
proper basis for considering
trade relations.