Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-09-04
Soviet Still Obstinate

HE United States is unwilling to give
up Russia as hopeless case in re-
spect TO the recovery OF It's potential eco
nomic power contributory factor in
world reha Utilization and trade revival 1t
appreciates the tremendous impulse that
The energy OF more than 160, 900, 900 peo-
pie applied to productivity would give to
all energized industrial activity the world
over. II believes that If Russia were set
on It's feet the problem Of world -stagnatcd
trade would speedily rcadjust itself to open
ms opportunities for Improvement, and the
depression into which 1t has fallen would
progressively he overcome
Hence. the Washington government has
about made up Its mind to undertake to
do something for Russia, believing
thai in Russia's prostration is to be
found the root of Europe's ills. An
othcial statement issued at the State De-
partment announces the opening of infor-
nal negotiations by the United States with
SOVIET Russia with a view of ascertainng
from tho Moscow authorities whether they
would approve the sending Of an American
technical commission there TO Investigate
ana report on economic conditions Am
bassador Houghton. at Berlin, is under
stood 10 he acting for the State Department
ard already to have opened informal com
municaions with the Soviet officials. and
bassador and Leonard Krassin Soviet Min
lister OF Foreign Trade and Commerce Til.
department. however. was careful TO make
II understood that the proposed commits
sion was not Intended 10 have negotiatory
power ana IN no way was to be regarded
as preliminary step toward recognition
OF the Soviet government. Under prevail
ing conditions, til" Harding administration
Is as much opposed 10 extending recognition
q 20
administration II wants first hand infor-
nation on tho economic situation there
which would be useful IN the event It was
decided In the future to contribute 10 the
restoration Of the country
But To the extent that these negotiations
have gone forward, Sovic, obstinacy appears
10 nave raised issue which may prevent
their successful elimination Reports state
that Russia would consent TO the pronosal
that an American investigating commission
De sent there only OF reciprocal basis In
other words, the Soviet government wants
10 send similar commission TO IN
Vestigaie conditions in the United
states. Although The American commis
sion would corhne itself entirely to eco
nomic problems in Russia. and not he CON
cerned In any way with political conditions,
'he washington authorities are lacking as
shrance that reciprocal comm ission from
RUSSIA would act within the same lni,a
lions in the United States They heIieva
mat possible motive OF tho Soviet 10 scnd
commission TO this country might be 10
spread propaganda here. So, II tho Sovis,
'h6's's on the reciprocal arrangement, the
negotiations are likely TO fall through
Moreover. while an expert snryov of Rug
sia economic condition might he of vaIun
IN the fntnre. The fact must not he lost eicb,
OF that the condition, whatever tho ,n.oe,i-
f"Noh might disclose II to be. is so jroY
''cap'y hound up with the application Of
hnsonnd political principles 10 the control
OF all industry and OF the absorption n, all
property ownerSh!p 81 the state that no hasts
Tor business relationship with tho country
can be established unless thero be abandon
mont on Hussias part Of some OF tho th.n-
. TICS anectins property rights 70 which II now
oosthateiy clinss. Until Russia changes
It's stats OF mind with respect TO some of