New-York tribune., 1922-05-13
America Looks
For End of Red
Rule i'm Russia
Administration Officials Be-
licyc Genoa Council May
Result in the Abandon
mcut of Communist Plan
No Comment on Reply
Advices Reaching U. S. In.
dictate Soviet Chiefs Are
Awake to Need of Change

From the Tribunc's Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON, May 12. -- Replace
mont Of the present communistic gov
ernmcnt of Russia by regime that
may Justify the resumption Of politi-
cal and trade relations between that
country and the Allied governments
may eventually matcrializc out Of the
frank consideration Of the Russian
problem initiated at the Genoa con-
ference. Administration officials indi-
Gated to-day.
While tho State Department with
held comment on the reply Of the Rus
sian delegation to the memorandum OF
the powers on the question of grant
ing financial assistance to Russia, it
is known that public opinion among
the Russians is fast crystallizing
against the communistic theories, and
the hope is held out here that through
slow process Of development more
stable government may be created and
Russia once more re-establish her
self among the nations of the world.
Information reaching the American
government indicates that already Rus
sian leaders have realized the weak
nesses of the communistic system, Tho
inauguration Of new civil code there
was cited as a step in the direction of
greater stability of government.
Difficult Situation for Reds
1t is realized here that the Russian
delegation at Genoa was confronted
with IL most difficult situation.
Tchitchcrin and his associates in the
delegation were frankly told at the
outset of the conference that the pow
crs could not countenance any scheme
of government which did not guaran-
tee fully the rights Of foreigners.
They were told that the Soviet theory
of naturalization was undemocratic
and harmful, not alone to foreign in
terests which held concessions within
Russia, but equally so to the Russian
peoples. A direct reputation Of the
communistic theories was demanded.
On the other hand. the Russian dele
gates held definite commitments from
the Soviet government which, they
thought, were strengthened by the
communistic sentiment in European
countries and on the American conti
nent. To withdraw peremptorily these
views and accept the judgment of the
Allied powers was a demand that could
not be hastily granted. After failing to
accomplish the main demand of Russia
that of financial assistancc-efforts
were directed toward seeking a COM
mon ground on which political recogni-
tion could be brought about. The pow
ers could not authorize the loan
sought. and Russia's answer to this re-
lection was the declaration that for
eign ownership would not be recog-
nized.
Conciliatory Attitude Seen
According to the view held by Ad-
ministration officials, Russia has two
unacceptable things to perform. The
first is that she must Of necessity
change from the communistic form of
government to government that can
be generally recognized by the powers.
Secondly, the Russians must have a
chance to. accomplish the change grad
ualy and not prccipitate greater con-
fusion than now exists in that coun-
try.
Information reaching this country
from what is considered reliable
sources indicates that the more pro-
nounced Communists in Russia are
striving to find way to modify their
views more readily to meet the wishes
of the nations whose recognition is
sought. This concilintory attitude to-
ward change is reflected to a great
extent among the peasants, who had
come to accept the communistc view
because Of lack of any other doctrine
1t is officially known here that where
there were in Russia many millions of
Communists not later than two years
ago there is to-day narrowing circle
of Russians of the pronounced Com
munist belief.
The attitude of the American gov
ernment, first pronounced by Secretary
of State Hughes more than a year ago,
with reference to the resuscitation Of
Russia, and reiterated several times
siuce, is beginning to affect public
opinion in Russia. Secretary Hughes
held then that Russia must become a
producing nation.
"Production," Mr.. Hughes said, sis
conditioned upon the safety of life,
the recognition Of firm guarantees of
private property. the sanctity of con-
tract and the rights of free labor" He
added that this government would be
"glad to have convincing evidence of
the consummation of such changes" ;"
and asserted that no proper basis of
considering trade relations could be
perceived by this government at this
time.
1T is known to this government that
there exists in Russia strong feeling
of gratitude for the assistance that has
been extended to the Russian people,
and this feeling will remain for years
to come. The relief furnished by Amer
ica. it is believed, has had a compelling
effect in convincing the Russian peo-
Pile of the sincerity of the American
policy.
TranS.AtIont E1x,o