The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1921-08-31
Relief WORK
IS SEPARATE
FROM TRADE
Britain and France Would
Help America Feed Russia
Have One Eye on Future
Commerce.
U. s. WOULD go ALONE
BY MARK SULLIVAN

WASHINGTON, D. C., Aug. 3l-ln |
the matter of the relief which Amer
lea is about to extend to Russia there |
is considerable difference between
the things that some European nations |
would like US to do and the things |
that the American public probably
would be willing to do.
Both Great Britain and France have
expressed desires which are, roughly,
to the effect that they should unite
with US in the administration of this
relief within Russia. This desire has
been communicated TO US repeatedly
and in various forms.
About this request the first reflection
that arises is that the quantity of
goods and money which America is
prepared to give is very much greater
than the quantity that either Great
Britain or France. or both combined,
are able to contribute.
Assets Much Greater.
This point, however, America might
readily waive. We would not be will
ing to be in the position that, merely
because our assets in the joint enter
prise would be so much greater than
the assets of Great Britain and France,
we are. therefore. unwilling to make
II joint enterprise.
The real reasons that make us hesi-
tate are different and, it may be hoped
more creditable to us The fact is
that Great Britain and France, and
especially France have pursued a rela-
fpn dc Dre ~
them with a suspicion that they do not
have as respects America, the extern
sion of relief to Russia, under Amer
lean auspices only, will encounter less
friction and will have less to overcome
than would be the case if this relief
were extended under the joint manage
ment of other nations with the United
States.
Europe Fears Trade Outlook
One of the underlying reasons why
Great Britain and France would pre-
fer to Join US in the administration of
this relief Is the anticipation that out
of this enterprise America may ulti
mately get commercial advantages
This is an unjustifiable suspicion.
American will give the relief to
Russia from motives of humanity sole
ly, and will refrain scrupulously from
making it the basis of any commercial
advantage. Undoubtedly. without our
wishing it or trying for it, some ad-
vantages will accrue to US
The good will that must be created
among any people by the receipt of
generosity will later express itself in
certain amount of advantage to
Americans in Russia. This always
happens, it is the generosity that we
ha in IN,
that makes us so well liked in that
country.
In years to come we will receive this
advantage from Russia. without max.
ing any formal effort to get it in the
present distribution of relief there.
Russia Fears United Action.
If there were no other reasons, one
sound reason for hesitating to join
with the European nations in the ad
ministration of this American relief is
that Russia has come TO think of &C
ton by concert of the allies as un
friendly to them 1t was in carrying
out concert Of action with Great Brit
ain and France that we maintained
troops in Russia for a considerable
period.
We now know that that action wa:
unfortunate. But the people of Russia
must continue TO remember it and the
unfriendliness which it caused at the
time might conceivably arise again i
the present relief were administered
by concert with the same nations.
Undoubtedly, it will be expedien
and desirab BILE to let the European ma
tions know what we are doing. 81
that there may be no conflict and nj
Overlapping as TO whatever they ma,
administer independently. but asid
from this exchange of information
America in extending the relief t,
Russia will be disposed to stand alon
and go its own gait.
Copyright 1921 by the New York
Evening Post, Inc)