New-York tribune., 1922-02-19
Russian Debts
Scrap of Paper,
Radek Asserts
Recognition of Obligations
by Soviet Not Conflicting
With Communism. He In.
forms German Followers
Action Bid for Credits
Says Reds Will BE Able
to Rcpel Capital's Efforts;
Berlin Farley Satisfactory
By Joseph 'Shaplcn
sN wireless 70 7hs 7''-.ouas


BERLIN, Feb. 1s.-Tho Russian
trade delegation, headed b. Lcorid
krasain and Karl Fadcl:. started back
to Moscow to-day, entirely satisfied
with The course thei- negotiations have
taken here. Germany did not meet
Russia's point OF view completely, but
Krassin was Convinced that dcfri.o
progress had been made toward a,
understanding with Germany's traders
and fnauciery.
To calm the fears and rumbl'1g pro
tests o. German Communists, Eadek
gave statement TO the communist
newspaper "Ihe Red flag" in which
he tried to convince his German fol-
lowers that there was 10 contradiction
between She Fundamental principles
Of communism and the COMPROMISE
with the capitalist interests of west
crn Europe. SO far as The Soviet gov
ernrert's recognition OF Russian debts
is concerned, NadcS sssu-ed The Com
nvnists that that was sinplv scrap
{aSe tangible form. Nadck eXplnined
that tie Moscow government had been
forced 70 ackaoH edge the debts ii
order 70 obtain an extension OF credits
and materials from western capitalists
AID governments fIc contirued:
Credits for Russia Lssentisl
"Tho question Of the recognition Of
Russian debts hiss . greater juridica.
lhan practical Significance. II will re-
main thus for - least the rcxt few
years. So lar IS the next few years
sc concerned, Russia cant pay any
thing, because She has nothing 80 puy
with. Ike Eutente's attempt to est.
pure mancuver and quite uNinportant.
lhe only important thing is whether
the Enterre Viii place at Nuss;a's 5 dis
posal the credits which would sua1a:s-
tee thc economic restoration Of Russia.
Gwen II the Soviet govcyn.ie;.t de
clares is readiness to acknowledge the
debts OF 100000 100000 gold ruoies---
and no oue knows how great Euss;a's
debts are-Vhc Entente would derive
l.tele benefit the1efro,a, for Ill would
have to be scrap Of p&Qer.
'Nho, fo- instance, believes that
Germany VIII continue paying repa1a-
tions for twenty years. The Enterte
nations themselves DO not know
PEELED 70 cancel their own debts. Nc
man is anlc 70 forescc Non' the ,e.a-
oiorsl.ip OF the powers tha. will Ge-
valop III tae next few years CT whs-
forms obligations assumed by the
va.ious powers VIII take. The rccogni-
tion o. the Russian debt therefore is
simply Il for1n for tho basis Of The
leans which Will be ut a. the disposal
OF l.ussia.
VIII Eepuisc Capitals Efforts
The chief point at Genoa. therefore,
vili be ;ne determination Of .ne nature
and extent OF credits to be given 70
Russia. tne ooiillition q conditions
under which they vii lie granted and
re decision Of Nno Will participate il
these credits. Everything else is "
essential ma1euver.ne."
Assuring his Communist friends ina.
the Soviet government viii be able 70
repulse the attempts Of international
capits. TO gain uncontrolled do!niaion
n Russia, Nsdeh coacluded:
so long &s the world revolution fails
10 develop faster than we expected
there viii be neither capitalism nor
communism IN Russia. There viii be
no capitalism SO long as The Soviet
government remains in power and 10
comm unism 50 long as tha interna-
tioaa. rroleta-at fails to achieve the
victory thai VIII prove tc the peasanos
the disability o1 the Communist
sYstC.n'