Norwich bulletin., 1922-05-18
RUssIA MUST "sHow" BEFORE
RECOGNITION BY AMERICA

Washington May 17.-Any question
of the recognition by the United States
of the Russian soviet government lies
beyond the time when restoration of pro-
ductivity in Russia shall have been set
in motion by that country itself, ac-
cerding to an authoritative and plainly
spoken outline of the attitude of the
American government obtained today.
Refusal to participate both in the Genoa
conference and in the proposed considera-
ton of Russian affairs at The Hague,
it was added, was based on the convic-
ton that such restoration could not
be hoped for under the terms outlined
In the Russian memorandum of May
II at Genoa
In the meantime. it was explained the
United States is sesdy to embark with
other powers on any purely scientific
investigation of conditions in Russia
with a view TO recommendations as to
steps necessary for the commercial fin
ancial and Industrial revival of that
country but 1t will have no part in any
such deliberations which even imply
recognition of the soviet regime and
would thus end to 'perpetuate delusionS
among the Russian people.
In the American view the Russian
Genoa memordanum from which it ap-
! The Hague was an offshoot would have
| exactly that effect in Russia. That mem
! orandum referred to by Mr.. Hughes in
declining the invitation to The Hague
stands as an Impossible barrier to the
establishment of any relations with Rus
| sia," it was said. II 1t was in the minds
1 of the Russian delegates that loans and
other forms of credit might be estab-
! lished in the United States without ther
first having been set up within Russia
such conditions as would warrant IN
vestments there on a sound. economic
basis they were laboring under a COM
plete delusion and no good purpose
would be server in the American view
| by entering upon discussions at The
Hague which could never reach a hap
py Issue while the attitude indicated In
the Russian memorandum remained un-
changed,
It has been said repeatedly. by Amer
lean officials who have a hand in guild
ing the policies of the government thai
| recognition of the soviet government
by the United States and other coun
| tries would not set afoot the economic
rehabilitation of Russia. Secretary
Hughes indicated this clearly when h
informed the Genoa group in his recen
note that remedies for Russia's problems
must come from within Russia herself.
Administration officials generally ar
wholly confident that the American peo
pie would never approve recognition o
the soviet regime and indicate their be
lief that the assembled delegates a
Genoa should by now fully understan'
the fixed nature of the American polio,
of standing wholly aloof from any in
ternational arrangement that might hav
. the appearance Of moving toward sue
recognition.
During the day it was disclosed tha
an original French suggestion froT
, Genoa seeking to draw out an expression
from the Washington government as t
ias attitude toward what WIS con
, strued here to be a proposed purel
economic investigation of Russian affair
, by a joint international commission ha
: met with a wholly sympathetic repl
/ although no specific a ae5eptance was
r sent That exchange was hardly on tn
cables before the formal invitation t
The Hague was received and prove
to be a wholly different matter, sine
It was presumably proposed as a resu
| ef the Russian memorandum of May l.
j Th emessage rejecting this formal II
T vitation was expedited in the hope {
avoiding any, confusion Of the reply
= the French proposal for a wholly nor
; political, scientific inquiry with tn
; answer to The Hague invitation.
There seems TO have arisen some mi!
0 understanding in European capitals, ne'
9 ertheless. and the very pointed reart:r1
: alton Of the American position mere t.
: day undoubtedly was designed to cles
away the least misapprehension c
Genoa or any feeling that later conve
{ sations might ir.duce the United State
. to enter a discussion resting in ar
q way on Russian attitude for politic
as we'll as economic phases to the NEE