The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-23
HUGHES GIVES BASIS RUSSIAN
 REE:('l)G |ON
Says American Approval Is
 impossible Until Russia Abandons Spirit Of Destruc-
 ton At Home And Abroad WARNS THAT SOVlETS MUST STOP PROPAGANDA Points Out That Civil Liber-
 ties In Russia Are Still h.
 secure And That Suffrage
 IS Limited To Very Few


 WASHINGTON. July 22.-Recogni- ton of the Russian soviet govern ment by the United States can not some While It's leaders continue to
 eN4Hce spirit of destruction at deaia tionie ana abroad, according to a aeciaration by Secretary Hughes made public today. In an exchange or correspondence with Samuel Com fers, president Of the American Fed eratlon of Labor, Mr. Hughes renewed statement of principles which he sald was guiding American govern ment policies with regard to Russia while MT Gompers made direct reference to the recent public de- mands. from senators and others who nave visited Russia. for recognition.
 American tradition. MT. Hughes said founded on a desire to refrain rom interference with internal af- falrs Of other nations might require recognition of any government, even government of "tyrannical minor lty,' when the people of the nation concerned manifested "acquiescence or submission" to 1t. Nevertheless. recognition being "an invitation to intercourse" the government seeking recognition should evince a disposi- ton to Hive up to the obligations of intercourse" he declared, denying In detail assertions that the Russian government was so doing.
 o O O
 Gompers' Attitude,
 MT. Gompers, remarking on "mis- lnformation gathered by returning travellers during closely supervised tours in Europe" suggested in a let ter to the secretary of state that some recognition might be served If those standing for the American concept of right and justice and democracy could be given clearly to understand that the backbone of the whole situation regarding Russia Is the denial to the people of Russia of an opportunity to pass Judgment on tEeir own affairs. or to say by whom or In what manner they shall be gov erned. The state departments post ton, he said, has been understood by him to be that of energetic op- position to tyrannlcal minority im- posing themselves on a reluctant people," expressing the opinion of wage earners, he said the thought that the United States might. under any circumstances, extend official recognition to such a vlllianous des- potism Is repugnant."
 In response to Mir Gompers' let ter MT. Hughes. under date of July 1s. wrote: T have your letter of the AllhlI HIS Ltul WllIl IGSpttI lO LII Hc grounds upon which the recognition of the present regime in Russia has been withheld.
 You refer with just emphasis to the tryannical exercise of power by this regime. The seizure of control by minority in Russia came as grevious disappointment to American democratic thought, which had en- Enthusiastically proclaimed the end of despotism of the czar and the en- trance of free Russia into the family of democratic natlons. Subsequently events were even more disturbing. The right of speech and other civil liberties were denied. Even the ad- vocacy of these rights are usually considered to constitute foundation to freedom which was declared to be counter revolutionary and punishable by death. Every form of political op- position was ruthlessly exterminated. There followed the deliberate de- struction of the economic life of the country. Attacks were made not only upon property In It's socalled capital istic form, but recourse was had also to the requisitioning of labor. All voluntary organization of workers were brought to an end.
 "Politically there was ruthless despotism and economically the sit uation was equally disastrous.
 O O O
 Suffrage Limited.
 Tt IS true that under the pressure of the calamitous consequences the governing group in Russia has yield
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