The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-18
SOVIET RELATIONS BE |NC CONSIDERED
Coolidge Wants To Make The Advances, But Secretary
 Hughes Holds Back
By RAYMOND CHAPTER (Leased Wire to The Age-Herald)


 WASHINGTON, Dec, 17.--For the first time since the bolshevik revoiu- tion, the Russian question is receiv- ing open-minded attention at the White House. The exchange of views begun by President Coolidge in his recent message to Congress, and followed up by the reply of George Tchitcherin, soviet foreign minister, promise to lead to negotia- tions between the two governments.
 Tchitcherin's note is regarded here as a significant pronouncement, re- vealing & desire on the part of the Russian government to discuss the question of resuming relations on the basis outlined by President Coolidge in his message to Congress. The Russian foreign minister commits his government to the principle of mu- tual non-interference in internal af fairs and announces a willingness to negotiate a settlem ent on the basis of general reciprocity.
 This government will reply to the communication outlining anew it's minimum demands and inviting the soviet government to be more spe cific' regarding them.
 President Coolidge is desirious of resuming relations with Russia. He wants this troublesome question set tied speedily, before the heat of political campaign makes negotia- tions of this delicate matter more difficult The President has noted an increasing interest in the Rus sian question as a result of tours of Russia made by many senators and congressman last summer. These visitors have brought back a unani- nous verdict that the soviet regime I impossible.
 Willing To Enter Relations.
 Therefore, President Coolidge. though opposed to the funda metal tenets of bolshevism, never theless realizes that as a practical matter, the United States will have to do business with the soviet gov ernment if it does with Russia at all. He is willing to enter into relations with Russia provided certain funda- mental principles of international comity are accepted by the soviet leaders.
 Secretary of State Hughes is some what more cautious about the matter. Whereas Coolidge is willing to ex- tend the olive branch himself and encourage the Russians, exacting only such promises as will safeguard American rights Hughes Is holding back, insisting that the soviet lead CTS take the initiative themselves.
 In this connection, the state de- partment Monday distributed copies of Hughes letter on Russia written last July to Samuel Gompers, the ob- vious inference being that the po- sition taken therein is still main tained by the state department.
 In that letter Hughes denounced the soviet regime as one built upon despotfsm and made it plain that he has no sympathy for it and the things for which it stands How to enter diplomatic relations upon these technical grounds:
 O O O
 Grounds Outlined.
 1. That Russia has repudiated it's international obligations.
 ?. That property of American citi- zens in Russia has been confiscated.
 3. That those in control at Moscow have sought to destroy existing gov ernments wherever they could, in cluding that of the United States.
 While insisting upon these mini mum conditions, Coolidge takes a somewhat more friendly attitude and is willing to make very large con sessions for the purpose of rescufng the people of Russia.
 The government will insist upon recognition of the government loans to Russia, totaling, with interest, about $240o0O,0O0, made chiefly to the Kerensky government.
 Then there are many claims filed by American citizens covering seiZ- ures by the Russians of branch of flces and goods belonging to Amer ican sewing machine, farm 1mple- ment and other manufacturers.
 If the impending negotiations get anywhere, they will lead first to creation of joint claims commissions like those just set up between the United States and Mexico, and an ex- change of consular and trade off, fcials This would be covered in commercial treaty. Exchange of dip lomatic representatives would be de- laved until these preliminaries have