Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-05-09
HUGHES N RUSSIA

IN one respect at least, we highly
l approve of the foreign policy of
this administration, and that is in
its consistent refusal to recognize
the soviet government of Russia
until such time as cit brings forth
fruits meet for repentance" The
attitude of this government is that
the Russian people must work out
their own problems. W. do not
propose to interfere in any way.
But we will have no diplomatic re-
lations with a government that re-
pudiates its foreign obligations, and
fails to maintain, law order and lib
erty at home. Mere wordy profess
sions of a change of heart are not
enough for US. W. must see some
evidence Of a change of heart in
deeds before we will exchange dip
lomatic representatives with Mos
COW. That government repudiated
debts due this government and con-
fiscated private American property.
It must undo what it has done and
make reparation before we are will
ing to maintain friendly diplomatic
relations with them. The Spring
field Republican, commenting on
the recent note of Secretary Hughes
covering this subject, says:
mo one could quarrel with the
concise statement by Secretary
Hughes, in regard to recognition
of the soviet government of Rus
STA. that political recognition is
dependent upon the existence of .
government that is competent to
discharge and shows a disposition
to discharge its international obli-
cations
THAT is, perhaps, a perfect legal
istic statement in accordance with
the generally accepted principles
of international law. It does not
set up tests which chiefly concern
the home affairs of another coun-
try. The emphasis is all placed
where it belongs-on the foreign
governments competence and dis
position to perform its international
obligations, not its domestic obli-
| cations or its relationships with
its own subjects.
Hitherto our state department
has seemed disposed to make recog-
milton depend more or less on the
Russian treatment of Russian prop
erty or Russian labor, or the liberty
of the individual. MI. Hughes
latest statement indicates some
shifting of ground. He ees doubt
less the drift in Europe. The So
Wet government is politically rec
ognized already by several Euro
pean governments and the British
have had an agreement with it for
trading purposes for a year at least.
The admission Of the soviet dele
gates to the Genoa conference on
terms of full equality constitute
diplomatic recognition of the Le-
nine regime in a very real sense.
Lloyd George does not conceal
the fact that he is on the way to an
exchange of ambassadors in the
near future between London and
Moscow. That is what the Genoa
conference is headed for, insofar as
Mr.. George can steer it. His mo-
tive that has always carried Eng
lishmen into relations with any gov
eminent, nondescript or ragamuf-
fin. that could maintain itself and
keep the markets open, whether
among bandits, cannibals or COM
munists.
"The United States will now be
in a position to take immediate ad-
vantage of the situation in case the
Genoa negotiations result in agree
| ments whereby the soviet govern
ments satisfies the western Euro
pean powers concerning propa-
ganda, pre-war debts, war debts and
the property of foreigners confis-
ratad IN Ruee;ao