Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-09-30
Enemies Join in
Rehabilitation of
Unhappy Russia


German banking interests have be-
gun negotiations looking toward CO.
operation in the rehabilitation OF
Russia through the financing of in
dustrial enterprises in the Soviet re-
public, according to information
which has reached interested COM
mercial circles here.
The proposed assistance would not
be based upon recognition of the
present government of Russia but
would be extended with the con-
viction that the Russian government
would respect any contracts which
might be made" one of the repre-
sentatives of a London house, which
is promoting the movement, de-
clared. He added that negotiations
were begun only latter it was es-
tablished that the Soviet government
was no longer red but had swung
to the right, and was aiming at
something essentially the same as
the goal of other republican nations"
The Russian government is under
stood to have been informed of the
purpose of the American, English
and German interests and to have
been told frankly there was no in
tention at this time of making Russia
fourth party to the contract, but
only the object of "a solicitous and
profitable movement"
The Russians are believed to have
taken it for granted that the inter-
national bankers were planning "a
benevolent exploitation" of Russia,
which would not only yield them
profit but would help to stabilize the
uncertain economical situation there.
Certain Russians here who have
displayed lively interest in these ne
gotiations assert there is a possibili-
ty they will succeed regardless of
whether the present r Kssian govern
| ment stands or falls, although it is
admitted that at this time the only
, result of the movement has been to
secure the promises of a number of
individual but strong. banking houses
in each of the three countries to sup
port the plan if good evidence is of
fered that the Soviet government
will give the foreign financiers a
free hand.
"a number of foreign banks and
particularly English concerns al
| ready have placed large sums at the
disposal of the Russians and also
have sold them much merchandise,
in many instances extending credit
for as long as five years." said a
German lndustrialist who is inter-
nCfn6 n MI
ments.
"Other foreign concerns have fatty
declined to have any commerce with
the Russian Soviet and the actions of
these concerns have been widely ad-
| vertised. The fact of the matter is,
and many financiers see it that
| whether the present Russian govern
| ment prevails or not, vast fortunes
| are waiting in Russia for the men
who ultimately must develop the
country's latent resources, as well as
| rehabilitate the present run down in
dustries."
A Russian refugee here. once
| wealthy and a member of the old
| regime, not daring to return while
| the Soviets are in power, nevertheless
has decided to devote his efforts to
promoting plans to exploit" Russia
at long range. hoping to share in
the profits that will later make many
Rockefellers of Russia"
Il know Russia and I know the
| Russians and 1 understand what
| Kind of government exists there
| now this man declared. This
government, which has prevailed
Notwithstanding prophecies of its
| downfall every month for the last
| four years, will not be immediately
| overthrown but gradually will give
way, as it has been giving way, to a
less radical and q more reasonable
regime.
THE new government will repre-
sent the different classes of Russia
and through it's agency there
will eventually arise the United
States of Russia United
States richer in natural re-
sources than the United States OF
America. This new state, deprived
of ready money by war and revolu.
ton. will welcome the advent OF
foreign capital and foreign experts
and I am convinced they will rear
profits as they sow investments"
He expressed the belief that the
present negotiations, which he said
he had understood were proceeding
secretly" would in a large measure
succeed, although responses from