The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-12-20
RUSSIA'S BID
TO u. S. is
LAST ONE
Head of United Press Sees
Strong Government in
Soviet Nation,
BIZ United Press

SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 20-Russia
has made its last bid for American
recognition until after the next presi-
Dental election, in the opinion Of Karl
A. Bickel, president of the United
Press Associations.
Bickel has just arrived in San Fran.
cisco from the Orient, following a trip
around the world. On this trip, after
having visited London, Berlin, Paris
and other European news centers.
Bickel went to Russia and then via
the trans Siberian Railroad to the Far
East, waere he was received by Pre-
mier Yamamato Of Japan and by other
high officials.
While in Moscow, BickeI had an
extended conversation with Foreign
Minister Tchitcherin, during which
Tchitcherin discussed his govern
ment's attitude toward recognition by
the United States.
Russian government fnanciers have
announced that the Soviet republic
would 90 on a hard money basis short
ly after the first of the year. Bickel
said and that the minting of the new
gold chervonetZ and silver two-ruble
pieces had started during September
Want Big Loan
The Soviet government would be
glad to enter into negotiations with
the United States, Bickel said. because
Soviet statesmen believe that Ameri-
can recognition would enable them to
float a 100000. 900 loan which the
Russian government is desirous of
having, In order to purchase enor-
nous amounts of American agT1cul-
tural machinery and railroad equip
ment
'Tchitcherin told me the soviet
government was ready to send a COM
mission to the United States at any
time to take up the question of the
restoration of any property owned by
American nationals that had been
confiscated or sequestered since the
revolution and to discuss the question
Of the Russian debt" Bickel said.
He said there was comparatively
small amount Of property involved
and the total amount of the Russian
public debt in the United States was
not great as against the sums owed
America by certain other European
powers"
Look to United States First
There is a very strong and in
fuential body OF public opinion in
Russia among many leaders in the
government which Is opposed to any
efforts being made looking toward
obtaining recognition from the United
States until the American Govern
ment makes some movement OF its
own toward the opening OF negotia-
lions.
These leaders take the position
Russia has gone through the owrst
that the soviet government Is now
firmly established over the entire
area of the czaristio territory; that
they are now so strong no European
power could hope to attack them and
that they are growing stronger year
". The longer they wall. these lead
ers maintain, the stronger they win
be and the less they viii have to
concede to the powers when they
finally seek cooperation"
Internal conditions in Russia were
quiet, Bickel said, and seemed to be
normal. Train service on the trans.
Siberian Railroad was good and
through express trains operated d.
rcctly between Moscow and ManchuH.
on the Chinese border, wheer they
connected with the Chinese Feastern
regularly and made Peklng in twelve
days. Telephone and telegraph com
munication was up to the general
European standard.
Interested in Senators
There was a great deal of interest
expressed in Russia during the sum
mer over the rush Of the United
States senatorial visitors to Moscow.
but soviet leaders did not express
any great hopes that these visits
would result In recognition" Bickel
said. They seemed to feel convinced
that there was no immediate hope Of
Russian recognition"
Outside OF America the Russians
are primarily interested in opening re-
lations with Japan. Bickel said. They
regard America and Japan as the two
most important powers in the world
Soviet leaders frequently asserted
they did not consider any European
nation n first-class power, with the
exception of Great Britain. and de-
clared their primary interests lay in
the Pacific. where they conceive
America and Japan as playing a ma
jor part in the future, along with
Russia.
There IS great interest in Japan
right now In regard to the future re-
latonship between Russia and Japan"
Bickel said. 'Rumors Of the opening
of conversations between Russian
and Japanese representatives are FIRE
quent."