Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-12-20
u. S. Rebuff Fails
to Dash Hopes of
Minister Tchitcherin

Moscow. Dec. 10.-(By The A. P.)
we are continuing to fix our
hopes on a change in public opinion
in America" foreign Minister Tchit-
cherin told correspondents tonight
in commenting on the statement of
Secretary of State Hughes in Wash
ington that there seemed 10 be no
reason at this time for negotiations
with Russia and suggesting that
Russia admit her obligations to the
United States and it's citizens.
For the peace of the wo,id,Y said
M. Tchitcherin. lit would be of
great advantage If the United States
came to an agreement with us-a
great step toward the settlement of
world conditions.
"Mr. Hughes said in his state
ment." continued the Soviet foreign
minister that negotiations are inn
possible until Moscow ceases to be
the. center of propaganda. New
York is also the center of propa-
ganda. Many of the revolutionary
parties have executives there, We
have many times declared that no
support was given by our govern
ment to the revolutionary parties
there. At the time Martens was ex-
PEELED no evidence of such support
was given.
80 we declare that now and in
the future we do not and will not
give support from our government
to the revolutionary parties in
America; that our principle is non
interference with the internal affairs
of another country"
M, Tchitcherin said that further
overtures from Russia at present
seemed impossible, and other off,
Gals, to whom the Hughes state
ment seemed to come as a startling
shock after the expressions in Pres
ident Coolidge's message. took the
view that there was little hope of
dealing with America during the
present administration.
1t was a. most pessimistic picture
OF world affairs that NJ. Tcnitcherin
painted 10 the correspondents. The
most startling of his announcements
was that there was danger of new
complications in Anglo Russian re-
latlons due to the ultimatun by the
British to the government of Az
ghanlstan demanding among other
things, the minister said, that At
ghanlstan sever all her relations
with Russia. Soviet Russia has
quilt up a strong position in the
east and has close diplomatic rela-
IONS with the Amir's government
the minister pointed out.
Asked if Russia considered this
an untriendly act by England, NJ.
Ichltcherin said he was unable to
state at present what the Russian
attitude would be. He said news of
the ultimatum had Just been re-
celved from Soviet forces IN Tash-
kend.
The British. like the German gen.
era! staff before the great war. has
long been placed strategicalIy in tins
region, NJ. Tchitcherin said and had
Just completed railway to the
famous khyber Pass, giving close
access to kabu. and also had mass
ca alrp.anes on the north Indian
frontier. --0'7'4
The Afghan situation might de-
Nelop the greatest gravity, the for
elgn minister declared.
Inc nope previously held of grad
ual resumption of commercial rn;a
ilohs with France now appeared 70
ne impossible of realization, NJ
icnltcherln thought. in view of the
ueclslon by a French court permit
ing the seizure by Czarist claimants
OF goods sent to France from Russia
france was interfering everywhera
'ne iorelsn minister asserted.