South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-09-11
RUSS GRAIN EXPORT
WISE" ECONOMICS
Experts Plan to Ship 1t Out
of Some Ports and Buy
More Elsewhere.
BY HARRY l.. ROGERS,
IL. Y y. stan CorresnOndent.

WASHINGTON. Sept. 10. - The
American farmer will beneit by the
decision of the Russian Soviet gov
eminent TO export part of the wheat
crop just maturing. according TO
United States Government experts
The feeling of Indignation which
followed announcement of the plan
Of the Moscow authorities 10 ship
part Of the new crop out of the
country has disappeared, and Of
ficials here are inclined now TO
compliment the Russian experts
upon the good judgment shown.
The misunderstanding as TO the
real purpose OF the Soviet authOri-
ties resulted from the action of the
Soviet delegates at The Hague,
who. through stupidity or otherwise,
gave the impression there would be
surplus Of wheat in Russia this
year and that the surplus would be
exported.
Feared Food Shortage.
knowing such surplus 10 be out
of the question, officials here jumped
TO the conclusion that Lenin intended
to sell the new crop TO obtain badly
needed funds. leaving the population
10 the mercy of the American Relief
Association for another Winter.
Hence the Indignation
Apparently there is no such mo-
tive behind the plan. Inquiry shows
il practically has been forced upon
the Soviet authorities because of the
.r.r-e rs Ton no
tween the northern and southern
parts OF the country. To Obviate this
difficulty grain viii be shipped from
the Ukraine and the Caucasus region,
formerly called the granary of Eu-
rope. to ports on the Black Sea.
thence TO be carried 10 the Greek
Italian and other markets.
With the credits obtained by these
sales of foodstuffs the Soviet author
tiles plan 10 purchase in the London
and Liverpool markets a supply OF
foodstuffs which viii relieve the stu
alton i'm the MOSCOW, PetroSrad ana
other northern districts The greater
part of these purchases is expected
to be n grain, and experts here as
sert the United states normally would
furnish a good share OF II.
Handle Coal Same Way.
In the same manner the Soviet
economic experts plan 20 export coal
from Southern Russia and 10 pur-
chase IL i'm the British market, for
use I'm the northern district which
owing 10 the lack of transportation
facilities is now virtually cut OF.
The various commercial transac-
lions necessary for carrying out this
scheme OF trade are 10 be under the
control of the Soviet authorities. Al
recent conference on foreign trade
i'm Moscow. presided over by kras-
sin il was decided the Soviet govern
ment should retain control over all
foreign trade. though Boshevlst
agencies may be designated ABROAD ar
purchasing agents.
EXPERTS here disagree a. 20 the
amount Of commodities likely 10 be
available for export under the
scheme outlined. Apparently no
doub, exists as TO the abundance oil
tbe crop in Southern Russia. though
even this is not up 10 pre-revolutlon
dave. owing 10 the lack Of fertilizer.
The important consideration. how
ever is the acreage. In previous
years the peasants refused 20 plant
more than enough for their own use
being convinced That any surplus
they might produce would be
promptly confscated by the govern
ment This. i'm the opinion Of the
experts here. is 20 large extent the
] explanation OF the recent famine.
Under the graduated system OF
condscation however. the peasants
apparently have sown more literally.
though lack Of seed-grsin acted in
many Instances 10 reduce acreage.