Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1922-04-13
TERMS TO RUSSIA.

the London conference a short time ago for the use
OF the present conference at Genoa contains many
interesting features. The first part of the memor-
andum relates to Russia. There are specified some
OF the more important conditions which it is expect
ed that Russia must meet in order to obtain such
recognition of the Soviet government as will lead to
the resumption of real trade relations with Russia.
The conditions set forth refer in the main to the
foreign rather than to the domestic relations Of
Russia. One condition is that the Soviet govern
ment shall recognize and assume responsibility for
the debts to foreigners contracted by the czarist
government and also by its successor. the revolu-
tonary government which Immediately preceded
the present regime. Socialists and Communists all
over the world have denounced the foreign bond
holders, sfor their policy Of applying pressure to the
peoples government of Russia in order to force
the collection of the claims which they held against
an autocratic government whose shackles had been
thrown oft by the Russian people. That, in sub
stance, represents the attitude of the various Social
lstic organizations toward the subject of Russian
financial obligations.
In demanding that these obligations be recog-
nized, the other nations are merely applying one Of
the principles of common decency, and one which
lies at the root Of all international intercourse.
Government must be regarded as a continuous, and
not a ~spasmodic thing. The government which ex-
listed under the cars was the only agency by which
the Russian population could be brought in contact
with the outside world. 1t was their government.
Good or bad, they lived under it, recognized. its
authority, and the obligations which it contracted
"SS HdliOildl OOllSdllOlS. MS was true OF the rev.
dictionary government during its brief term of
power. Money loaned to these governments was
loaned on the faith and credit of the Russian people.
and those who loaned it had a right to expect the
Russian people to pay it. .
10 countenance the reputation Of such debts
would be to place a premium on revolution, and to
destroy the very foundations of government. We
have seen something of the results of such a policy
in some of the Central American states. One ad-
ministration would obtain foreign money bv the
sail OF rONcPcc1OnS or the r11orkotinr rs eoo.<~:A:o,
and then a revolutionary movement would throw it
into the discard. The new government, would re-
pudiate everything that its predecessor had done,
would sell concessions over again and market new
securities. The original creditors would plot for
the restoration of the earlier government, and those
who came later for the retention of the new one.
Fresh revolutions would; be started by persons who
wished to get a little foreign money on their own
account, and the country would be kept in a con-
stant turmoil. Fortunately a better state of affairs
has been brought about in these little republics, and
the results are shown in more stable business and
political conditions.
Russia is not to be permitted to pass through
that experience. She must at least recognize the
validity of obligations created by the advance of
money in good faith. When she is to pay, and how,
are different matters. ~
With this recognition Of one Of the prime essen
t'als OF orderly government there must be an observ-
ance OF the ordinary decencies in the conduct of i1-
dicial proceedings and in the treatment Of foreign
ers as(to their persons and property.--Thos who
ARE operating the Soviet governments must under
stand that they are not a law union themselves. AS.
suming that humane considerations would not de-
mand foreign interference no matter what outrages
a government at Moscow might perpetrate against
the people under its sway, civilized nations have an
undoubteds right to specify the conditions on which
they will meet Russia in political, social or trade re-
|%lations. Russia may remain isolated from world
opinion and wor1dLspfactices only so long as She does
mot seek intercourse with the world. When she
does seek such intercourse, she must meet the con-
|ditions by which such intercourse is usually gov
Eerned. That is what the other nations expect and
demand at this time. 5
i is probably not too. unkindly suspicious to
anticipate Margot Asquith,s Forthcoming book about