Evening star., 1921-05-17
PRISONERS PROMPT
us. RUSSIAN STAND
Refuses to Have Any Deal.
ingS Until American Citi-
zenS Are Released.
BY DAVID LAWRENCE,

The United States government re-
fuses to have any dealings whatsoever
with the present Russian government
are summarily released.
With a degree of feeling and indiS-
nation that conveyed world of mean
iIg. the spokesman of the Washington
government today outlined their atti-
tude toward Russia. No government
IN Russia can come even within hail
ing distance of the United States gov
ernment-it was empha tically an
nounced-until the prisoners are given
their freedom: Reports to the De-
partment of State indicate that the
Americans are being badly treated
Men and women who went to Russia
on business errands wholly discon-
nected from politics have been thrown
into Jail and held there practically as
hostages in order to compel the United
States to deal favorably with the soviet
authorities on international questions.
But if the Moscow government
lmagines that the United States will
De influenced by such tactics to think
Wen OF the soviet. no greater mistake
could have been made. Our govern
ment regards the tactics of the soviet
as calculated to ALLEVIATE American
PUBIC opinion and to postpone the
hour of recognition even though the
usual conditions necessary to such a
step snail have been formally salts
fed.
PhysicnI Force ImpracticabIe.
Inc question is being asked: What
can the United States do about i,o'
Inc idea of using physical force to
maintain Amrican rights abroad, as is
SO OFTEN proclaimed in the halls of
congress with patriotic fervor. is in
act inv
an expedition against Russia to res
cue the American prisoners is from a
military viewpoint colossal. The
american government has on more
tban one occasion discouraged a mill
tary move against Russia in company
with the allies when.the situation was
even more distressing than 1t Is now.
our omcials therefore are com
peiied to fall back on the use Of moral
force and diplomatic pressure. For one
thing. the United States now has a
seat In the supreme council and in the
council Of ambassadors. and whereas
Russla might have seen the United
states and Great Britain lined up
strongly together in a more or less
favorable attitude toward Russia as
against the French and Polish hostil-
ity toward the present Russian re-
gime. the chances are that the diplo-
matte representatives Of the United
states will omit no opportunity to
take sides against a recognition of
russia OR resumption of trade until
the soviet authorities develop some
humanitarian ideas about the treat
ment OF innocent American citizens.
The American government didn't
hesitate under the Taft administra-
ton 10 Abrogate commercial treaty
with Russia when that country start
cd to discriminate as between Jews
and non-Jews who held American
passports. and there are signs Of an
equally vigorous policy today. The
chances are that the Harding Hughes
policy will not only be an important
factor in allied councils hereafter
but that upon every occasion where
the influence and sympathy of the
United States is sought on questions
Affecting Russia. the Washington gov
ernment will make plain its refusal to
deal with a regime that treats Ameri-
cans as the soviets have done.
From this time forward the United
States government will deny every
proposal that is made for the openine
OF trade or governmental relations
with the soviets. and will even decline
to consider any program looking to-
ward the recognition Of Russia until
American prisoners have been reIeas-
ed and protection is assured all other
Americans who may desire to travel
in Russia on legitimate errands
Copy right, 1921