Evening star., 1923-02-22
b0RAH DEMANDS
| RUSS RECOGNITION
Sees StabiIizing Effect on
World if United States
Should Take Action.
LODGE LEADS OPPOSITION
Massachusetts Senator Defends Ad-
ministration and Explains
Delay in Acting.
LODGE LEADS OPPOSITION

Demanding that the United States
government recognize the govern
ment of Russia without further delay,
Senator Borah of Idaho, republican,
in a two-hour speech in the Senate
yesterday contrasted the action OF
Washington in recognizing the revolu-
tionary government in France with
the failure of the present administra-
ton to deal with the revolutionary
government of Russia.
"I cannot understand said Senator
Borah. why it is not the part of
wisdom, in view of the conditions
which now confront us. to do the
simple thing in accord with the best
traditions of America-to draw as
friendly a relationship between those
powers (Russia, Germany and
Turkey and the United States as
possible.
Eject on World.
What would be the effect tomorrow
morning If it were known throughout
the world that the United States had
recognized Mexico and established
friendly relations with that nation
and brought back the sympathetic
relation of all the people of South
America to the United States? Sec
Ondly. that the United States had
recognized Russia and established
What would be the psychological
effect upon the condition of turmoil
which now tortures the human
family? Is 1t not time for US to take
some steps, to make some move, to
bring back friendly relations among
the nations?"
Senator Lodge, chairman OF the
foreign relations committee. came to
the defense of the administration.
declaring that recognition had not
been accorded to the Russian soviet
government, not because of its form,
but because there was no assurance
that it could or would protect the
nationals of this country and their
property within the borders of Rus
sia.
No Fear OF BOlsheyfsm.
Senator Borah declared that he had
no fear of the bolshevist propaganda
having any effect i'll the United
States. He added:
"Our conduct toward Russia has fed
bolshevism from the beginning. 1t
has strengthened Lenin and Trotsky
every day that 1t continued to exist,
SO / do not know what they would
do; I do not care what they would
do. ] am perfectly willing to trust
the American people against such
propaganda. do not know of any
soil SO sterile in which TO sow and
let die the seeds of bolshevism as
the common people of America. l
will trust our people to deal with
such propa ganda.
The Idaho senator said that at the
present time seventeen nations are
trading with Russia. either through
treaties or by recognition. These gov
ernments. he said, were Great Britain.
Germany. Italy, Norway. Sweden,
Finland, Serbia, Afghanistan. Poland.
Latvia, China, Japan and Mexico.
Facts to Consider.
"I hope" he said. I'VE have heard
enough about the fact that after six
years this government in Russia is
unable to meet its obligations; that 1T
has no money; that 1t may any day
not a matter. under present condi-
tions and circumstances, which ought
to weigh in the least.
The prepondera ting, controlling,
dominating fact is that there is
government which has had an exist
ence for nearly six years. perform
ing all the duties and obligations OF
a government
Senator Borah's assertion that the
soviet government was now maintaining
order throughout it's jurisdiction and
was affording adequate protection to
foreigners was controverted by Senator
Lodge, who gained the floor as soon as
the Idaho senator had concluded.
Opposed by Lodge.
II do not agree with the senator's
views as to present conditions in Rus
sia," Mr.. Lodge said. 1T is a truism that
the United States cannot examine into
the internal affairs of another govern
1nent which seeks recognition, but at
the same time it must also be conceded
that it is the exclusive right of the
recognizing power to decide when such
recognition should be given.
"It must also be conceded there are
other things besides the internal status
involved in the decision to recognize
government. One of these is its ability
for international relations and another
3s to protect the nationals of other
countries and to give them security and
safety in domestic courts. I cannot
agree that this situation now obtains in
Russia