Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-05-03
\ Changing State OF Mind

HE attitude of the United States govern
ment toward Russia has undergone no
change from what il was announced to be
by Secretary Hughes more than q year ago,
but as result of approaches at the Genoa
conference there is some evidence of dis
position on the part of those in control of
the government OF that country to bring
about changes that are fundamental to the
establishment of conditions essential to pro-
ducton and the maintenance of interna-
tional trade relations. Should this sign Of
changed state Of mind on the part Of those
who dominate Russian affairs be translated
into action by the adoption OF a policy of
sound internal reconstruction the convinc-
ing evidence OF this would be joyfully hailed
in America and would offer encouragement
for its support of a program designed TO as
siTt Russia financially in such an under
taking
II is in the adoption of the American Wow
point therefore. by the principal allied pow
ers as TO requirements that must be met
by Russia for sound basis of intercourse
that the Genoa conference is making prog
ress. Secretary Hughes has been watch
ing developments there and he is hopeful
that the negotiations will result in an agree
ment by which the economic bases of pro-
duction IN Russia will be securely estab-
lished. thereby inviting to the full resump-
ton OF trade relations with other nations.
This hopeful outlook was expressed in Il
statement he made Monday in reply TO n
resolution recently adopted by the annual
conference Of the Womcn's International
League for Peace and Freedom and pre-
schted TO the Secretary of State by dele
cation headed by Miss Ella Boynton. OF
Chicago. The resolution urges President
Harding 20 grant without delay full and for
NAL recognition OF the Russian Soviet re-
public, the Far Eastern republic, and the
autonomous republics carved out of the for
mer Russian empire. In substance, Secre-
tary Hughes told the delegation that be-
fore any outside power could resume full
relations with Russia ii must itself put its
own house in order; that the American peo-
pie were anxious to do all they could but
would not attempt to extend credit where
there was no sound basis for credit; there
are no legal obstacles to trade with Russia;
the obstacles that exist to trade with Russia
are due TO the situation in Russia which is
in control OF those who dominate the af-
fairs Of Russia: Russia needs credit but it
is idle TO expect credit unless there is a
basis for credit; that basis cannot be sup
piled from the outside. but has got to he
supplied inside of Russia political recogni-
ton follows the establishment Of q sound
basis for intercourse. and is dependent upon
the existence OF a government that is com
petent TO discharge and shows a disposition
10 discharge its international obligations
The particular significance of Secretary
Hughes statement is that it is made Just
at the time when the participants in the
Genoa conference are striving TO solve the
Russian problem along the constructive
lines suggested by him more than a year
ago. thereby adding the moral support OF
this country to these efforts