The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-03-22
nks Not Improbable Senator Borah Tells Ohio RepubE
HUGHES LAYS DOWN LAW TO BOLSHEVIkI
(Continned From Page One)

tolerate. Hughes has taken differ ent position, holding that the form
 of Russia's government is for her people to decide. All that the United
 States is concerned with is the prop
 CT recognition of international oblI-
 gations in accordance with the prac-
 tices of other nations, It is a funda . mental difference and one that af- fords the soviet leaders an easy path to American recognition if they
 choose to take it. Nothing is re- Quired but definite assurances as 10
 the sanctity of contracts and the United States in advance promises
 to recognize the financial difficult
 ties in the way of Russia's meeting
 these obligations until she is re-
 stored to more prosperous condi-
 tion.
 Not only do we not desire to in terfere with the internal concerns of Russia" Hughes told the womens delegation. mot only do We recog- Eize the right of the Russian people to develop their own institutions. but such interference would be fu- tile. The salvation of Russia cannot be contrived outside and injected. I. Question oS Frine,p,e.
 The fundamental question in the whether it shows ability and dis position to discharge International obligations" tho Secretary continued. Tn the case of Russia we have a very easy text of a matter of fun damental importance, and that Is of national obligations. This Is not a question of rich or poor. It Is ques- ton of principle"
 Hughes then discussed the $751; 0o0.o00 loaned to the Kerensky gov crnment by tho United States. That, L. United States is interested in the democratization of Russia. Then, he continued, the soviet authorities in their decree of January 21, 1918. said; Internationally, and without any exceptions, all foreign loans are annulled."
 Now the United States Is not a harsh creditor" Hughes continued. "The United States is not seeking to press debtors who cannot pay be- yond their means. But indulgence and proper arrangements are one thing. Population is quite another. change in this announcement by the soviet authorities. Suggestions which have been reported have al ways been coupled with impossible qualifications.
 speculate as of what avail gre as- surances when we find properties taken, without compensation or res toration, obligations repudiated-- properties of all sorts. the invest mcnts of one of our great life in- surance companies for example. Not cnly would it be mistaken policy to give encouragement to repudia- tion and confiscation, but it Is also important to remember that there should be no encouragement to those efforts of the soviet authorities to visit upon other peoples the disas- ters that have overwhelmed the Rus sian people. I wish that l could believe that such efforts had been abandoned"
 Hughes then quoted from \ state ment by Leon Trotzky, soviet war last October declaring rev olution is coming in Europe and America.
 Now I desire to see evidences of the abandonment of that policy the secretary added.
 we are anxious to promote peace in the world, but the world We de- sire is world not threatened with the destructive propaganda of the soviet authorities and one in which there will be good faith and the recognition of obligations and sound basis of international inter cOurse,p