Middletown transcript., 1922-05-06
RUSSIA: MUST AD0k':1]
| A SOUND POLICY
Before U. S. Recognition, Says
Secretary Hughes
NO OBSTACLES TO TRADE
Want To Aid Russia - Government
Must Be Able And Willing
To Discharge obiIoa.
tions.

Washington. - The United States
Government stands unshaken in its de-
termination that Russia must put her
own, house in order before she can ex-
pect political recognition by the Unit
ed States.
Making his first statement of policy
regarding Russian affairs since the
subject came to the fore at Genoa
Secretary Hughes told delegation OF
women at the State Department that
before any outside power could resume
full relations with Russia she must
herself adopt policy of sound inter-
nal reconstruction. He added that the
American people were anxious to do
all they could, but would not attempt
to extend credit where there was no
sound basis for credit.
No particular form of government
was cited as desirable or undesirable
by the Secretary, nor did he mention
any Of the developments which have
influenced the fortunes of the Soviet
since the Genoa Conference began. He
did suggest, however, that the prin.
ciple of self-government in Russia was
somewhat complicated" by the efforts
OF some Soviet officials to interfere in
the domestic affairs of other nations.
The delegation to which the Secre.
tary addressed his pronouncement rep
resented the International League for
Peace and Freedom and had brought
to the State Department a petition for
full political recognition of the Soviet
regime. Secretary Hughes reply fol-
lows:
ut is a great pleasure to meet you
and hear you. and l appreciate deeply
the interest that you manifest in this
important problem. 1t is hardly neces-
sary to refer to the concern that we
all feel with respect to the welfare of
the people of Russia. Our interest in
the people of Russia has been mani
tested in the most unmistakable man
ner and do not think that 1t requires
any statement at this time to indicate
how anxious we are for the full
restoration Of the economic power of
the Russian people and for their we'll
being in every way.
There is no desire to interfere with
the Russian people working their own
destiny. There is no desire to interfere
in their internal affairs. The principle
that is involved Is one that we cherish
here. Its application has been some
what complicated by the organized ef-
forts on the part of the Soviet regime
to interfere in the domestic affairs Of
other peoples.
with respect to intercourse, 1t is
quite evident that you are under seri.
Gus misapprehension. There are no
legal obstacles to trade with Russia
The obstacles that exist to trade with
Russia are due to the situation in
Russia which is In control of those
who dominate the affairs of Russia.
Some time ago I pointed out the es-
sential conditions for a return to pro-
ductivity in Russia. That was not a
formula; that was not an artificial con.
ception; that was simply a statement
of fact Russia needs credit, but it Is
idle to expect credit unless there is a
basis for credit. That basis for credit
cannot be supplied from the outside
That basis for credit has got to be
supplied inside Of Russia.
Political recognition follows the es.
tablishment Of sound basis for inter-
course. Political recognition is de-
pendent upon the existence of a gov
ernment that Is competent to dis
charge and shows disposition to dis
charge its international obligations.
This whole matter is in the control of
those who dominate the affairs of Rus
sia. We are most desirous to do what
we can to aid in Russias recupera-
ton, but they must establish the basis
for such recuperation."