The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-30
PRESS ON SOVIET PROPAGANDA

measure of national scope.
 PRESS ON SOVIET PROPAGANDA
 The status of negotiations between this country and Russia comprises charges of deliberate, official and au- thorized soviet propaganda and activi- ties in this country on the part of MT. Hughes, and flat denial with chal- lenge to prove the charges on the part of Foreign Minister Tchticherin. Zinoviev, reputed author of the propa- ganda and president of the soviet in- ternationale, issues direct repudiation of authorship. Secretary Hughes is convinced by evidence submitted by the department of justice as to the authenticity of the soviet "instruc- tions" to agents in this country, and will ignore the soviet demand for sub mission of the documents to an im- i partial tribunal. Unfortunately, it appears that some politicians will seek situation, in entire disregard of the fine principle enunciated by Senator Underwood that politics halts at the three-mile limit"
 Belief in MT. Hughes facts is ex- pressed by the Washington Star, which goes on to say: "The soviet govern ment may itself have ceased some time ago, as government, to pro- mote radical propaganda in this coun- try, confining itself to the business of administering Russia according to bol- shevik or communist principles. But the communist party, the interna- tional organization, seated at Moscow, has undoubtedly gone on with this work. To assert now that the soviet government has not promoted radical agitation in the United States is to seek to ignore the major fact that it's creator, the international communist party, has undoubtedly done so." While willing to leave the subject to senate inquiry, the New York Evening Post is inclined to support MT. Hughes, and thus declares: Ut does not strengthen the case against MT. Hughes to have senators argue in one breath that there is no soviet propa- ganda in this country and in the next breath that such propaganda would not be altogether unjustified in view of the activities of foreign propaganda directed against the soviet government. That IS point that will stand a good deal of discussion and to which there may be occasion to return. But for the moment it is enough to point out that it is not Hughes who is asking Tchltcherin for recognition, but Tchitcherin who is asking Hughes"
 The political aspect of the discus sion at Washington does not find fa- vor with the New York Herald: "The attacks on Secretary Hughes Russian policy by Senators Norris and Borah and other members of congress who are obsessed with fondness of the soviet will never help the mass of the Russian people. MT. Hughes policy is the policy that the United States has pursued since Secretary Colby's time. It is policy heartily approved by the American public. When the soviet government returns what it stole and gives credible assurances that it will pay it's debts, then it may ask for conference on other matters" With vehement emphasis the Detroit Free Press exclaims: And while MT. Hughes note is blunt, refreshingly blunt, it certainly is not outside the proprieties unless it is improper to tell the truth in plain way to a gang of liars, crooks and double e-dealing bull lies that are unsheathing daggers against this nation with one hand while they extend the other in pre- tense of friendship. There is just one tone to adopt with cattle of that sort which they will understand and respect, and that is the tone MT. Hughes has taken. It really is pitiful to find that man with ability enough to be elected to the upper house of congress is so blind, so gullible as to think otherwise"
 As to the soviet effort to disclaim association with the communist inter- nationale, the Chicago News observes: : 'The soviet government has never announced any severance of relations with the red internationale. It has no intention of affecting any such sever ance. It cannot disclaim responsi- bility for the propaganda carried on by it's agents. Tchitcherin may be as guileless as he affects to be and quite sincere in wishing to confer with the United States, but he will have to offer to do the right and sensible thing because it is right and sensible, instead of dickering and putting forth flimsy and idle claims" Taking a fling at MT. Norris as it passes, the Cleveland Plain Dealer ayers: "The position of the administration, out