, 1923-04-02
WHY WE DON'T A


In all the months that have passed
since Secretary Hughes stated the
basis on which the United States
could properly recognize the present
administration of Russia, there has
not been one single event to cause
any doubt as to the wisdom of the
policy he enunciated. The spokes-
man for the United States did not
undertake to say who must be the
head of the Russian government. He
did not undertake to say what the
form of that government must be.
He did not attempt to interfere with
any domestic problem of the Russian
people. He placed his refusal of
recognition upon a principle the
righteousness of which will be rec
ognized throughout the world.
In demanding as a prerequisite to
recognition that Russia give assur-
ance that property rights will be re-
spected, Mr.. Hughes asks no more
than any self-respecting nation must
ask. He is asking only that which
is ESSENTIAL for any kind of mutually
beneficial trade relationship.
As a matter of fact, there is moth
ing today in the relations between
Russia and the United States to pre-
vent the largest kind of trade. Any
American bushes man who wishes
to deal with a business concern in
Russia is at full liberty to do so.
There are two reasons why Ameri-
can business men do not wish to
deal with Russians. and neither of
these reasons has anything to do
with the integrity of the Russian
people. One reason is that under
its present system of government
Russia is non-productive and there is
lack of ability to pay for goods. The
other reason is that the Russian
government does not respect the
rights of property and Americans
who deal with Russians have no as
surance whatever that the property
they purchase will be deliverable or
that the property they sell can be
paid for without the purchase price
being confiscated. The honor of the
rulers of Russia, not the honor of
the individual Russian is the element
of uncertainty.
These are two evils that could
not possibly be cured by the estab-
lishment of diplomatic relations be-
tween tie United States and Russia.
The appointment of ambassadors
and consuls and the maintenance of
embassies and consulates are mat
tiers that facilitate trade, it is true,
but even these aids to commerce
can have no real efficacy where
there is wanting that mutual conf
dence upon which large business ne
gotiations must depend.
If the government of the United
States should establish diplomatic
relations with Russia it would, in a
large measure, vouch for the integ-
rity of the Russian government and
encourage its citizens to enter into
trade relations with Russian con-
Germs on tie basis of that assurance.
Such an act on the part of the Uni
ted States government would be
misleading and would undoubtedly
result in financial loss to our own
people In such event, those who
suffered loss might justly complain
that they had been misled by the
government to which they were en-
titled to look for protection.
1t is hoped that circumstances
will so change that the United
States may at an early date
diplomatic relations with that great
nation with which we SO long en-
joyed the most friendly intercourse.
II there shall be delay in bringing
about such n change in circum-
stances, the fault will certainly not
be that of the United States.
THE 0I STOPY