The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1923-12-18
PEOPLES FORUM

from different parts of the country
as to whether or not recognition OF
Russia in trade relations would not
result in the establishment Of Rus
sian Consulates with the probable
be used as headquarters for the
spread of communistic propaganda
throughout the country.
Insofar as | know at the present
time, Russia is not controlled by the
teachings of the Communistic party.
During the war, those in authority
instituted certain phase of Com
munism tas an emergency program).
In later years. their plans of gov
eminent have been changed to keep
step with the progress and sentiment
of the people. Today, the Russian
Government operates or controls GER
tain industries, the balance of the
nations industrial activities being
divided between the private indivi-
duals and corporations as trusts and
syndicatcs as well as cooperative So
cicties. In fact. in the last analysis,
they have the same division OF re-
sponsibility as we have in America,
the difference being simply the ex-
tent to which the public or govern
ment engages in industrial activities
as compared with Individuals
As to the possibility of spreading
Communistic propaganda, | am not
AT all alarmed. The Consulates re
ferrcd to are certainly not the only
avenues through which this could be
carried on. Insofar as | know, there
is no law on our statute books which
would prevent the adherents of the
Communistic doctrine printing and
circulating tons of literature favor
able 10 their theory of government
so long as they do not advocate the
overthrow OF government by force.
Any writer or speaker who would
advance such an argument to sus
tain his position against recognition
Of foreign country would certainly
reflect on the intelligence of his
readers or hearers, and would. at the
same time. manifest a dearth of in
formation OF international relations
and usages.
Illustrative OF our ability to check
such activities on the part of for
eign representatives., consider the
following:
On October 80, 1888. Secretary
Bayard wrote Lord Sackville, the
British Ambassador, that President
Cleveland of the United States had
instructed him to inform Lord Sack
vile that for good and sufficient
causes the President had concluded
that it would not be to the best in
terests Of both Governments that he
should any longer hold his official
position in the United States. At
the same time, Secretary Bayard en-
closed passport in the customary
form to facilitate the departure of
Lord Sackville from the United
States.
"The offense of Lord Sackvlle con-
sisted in what this government was
compelled to regard as his intention
Al interference in our domestic poll
tics in assuming by his advice to
control the political action of per-
sons who, though formerly his coun-
trymen and fellow subjects, had re-
nounced their allegiances to the Bril-
fish Government, and in obtaining
naturalization as American citizens
had assumed its duties, and sworn
to support and bear true faith and
allegiance to the Government of the
United States alone"
In the correspondence that ensued
between Secretary Bayard and the
British Government, Secretary Bay
ard stated the position of his gov
eminent in such cases in the follow
ing language:
When the government near which
diplomatic agent resides thinks
fit to dismiss him for conduct con-
sidered improper, it is customary to
notify the government which ac-
credited him that its representative
is no longer acceptable, and to ask
for his recall. If the offense COM
mitted by the agent is Of grave
character, he may be dismissed with
out waiting the recall Of his own
government. The government which !
Vi
at its pleasure, communicate the
reasons on which it bases it's re-
quest; but such an explanation can
not be required. 1t is sufficient that |
the representative is no longer ac-
ceptable. In this case, international !
courtesy prescribed his immediate I
recall; and if, Notwithstanding, the |
other government does not comply |
with the request, the dismissal of |
the agent follows as necessary con-
sequence, it is effected by simple |
notification and the sending of his |
passport"
In this connection, we have the |
attitude of the British Government
in the recent closing of the United
States Consulate at Newcastle, Eng
land. The closing followed the re-
moval of the American Consul and
Vice Consul who were accused by
the, British of urging Americans in
England to sail on Shipping Board
vessels instead of on British ships.
The reopening Of the American Con-
sulate of Newcastle is at present a
matter Of negotiation between the
two governments.
In the face of the established pol
icy in cases where any accredited
official interferes in any way with
local matters, it is simply ridiculous
for anyone to urge the argument
against recognition of trade relations
with Russia or any other country
because Of the possibility that the
foreign country might use the con-
sulates as an avenue to spread pro-
paganda which might be detrime atal
Or dangerous to our form of govern