The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1923-03-30
NO RECOGNITION
OF SOVIET RUSSIA
Secretary Hughes Speaks Very
Frankly to Women
REDS MUST CHANGE POLICY
Problem Purely acknowledgement
ment Must Reverse Declaration
OF Reputation To Attract
Capital.
REDS MUST CHANGE POLICY

Washington. - Secretary Hughes
fatty rejected an appeal to recognize
the Russian Soviet Government made
to him by representatives of the Wom-
ems Committee for Recognition of
Russia, and in a formal statement de-
clared the salvation of Russia cannot
be contrived outside and injected"
The statement, which was made to the
delegation in reply to arguments it
advanced, touched Russian govern.
ment, trade, finance, economics and
various policies inaugurated by the
Soviet affecting International rela-
lions.
Mr.. Hughes discussion Of these
subjects did not reveal any probabili-
ty of action by the Washington Gov.
eminent looking to recognition of the
Soviet, although the hope was ex-
pressed that conditions in Russia
would change in a way which would
make Americas helpfulness available
to the people Of that country. 1t is
his dominant thought, Mr.. Hughes
said, to find ground for helpfulness,
recuperation and restoration of peace
in Russia.
Secretary Hughes remarks to the
delegation which commended that world
peace and the stability of Europe de-
pended on immediate recognition of
Russia by the United States, follows:
In speaking to the representative
of your general organization last May,
| voiced the concern which we felt for
the welfare of the people of Russia.
The evidence of the last year, as we
have become even more intimately ac-
quainted with the great distress into
which they have been plunged, has
intensified that feeling. The constant
and dominant thought in our minds is.
How can we help that stricken peo-
ple?'
I'VE have in the case of Russia the
need of investment. 1t would not help
the Russian people to encourage adj
ventures, or those who would risk to
go into Russia for the purpose of ex-
ploitation. The benefit to Russia,
through which her productivity can be
increased and the basis of industry
and trade provided, must come from
those who make permanent invest
ment in Russia, who are there to see
their transactions through on a basis
of permanent relations, and who con-
sequently so far as they are foreign
ers, can be assured before they will
contemplate such investments that
these will be secure and worth while.
The conditions, which would invite
the foreign assistance which you point
out is so necessary, are in the con-
troll of the Russian authorities. They
cannot be in the nature of things sup
piled from the outside.
I'm the case of Russia we have
very easy test of matter of funda-
mental Importance, and that is of
good faith in the discharge of inter
national obligations. say that good
faith Is a matter of essential import
ance, because words are easily spoken.
OF what avail is it to speak of assur-
ances, If valid obligations and rights
are repudiated and property is con-
fiscated? This is not a question of
the rich or of the poor It's question
of principlel Only the other day had
letter stating the case of two Amer
lean women who had been living in
Russia and invested all their savings
in Russian securities, and they are
poor people, depending, and they are
very anxious to know whether, these
securities will have any recognition.
Our own Government, after the
first revolution. loaned about $1S7, 0O0,-
900 to Russia. l may say that we were
the first to recognize the Kerensky
Government; that government did not
profess a policy of reputation. Now
what did the Soviet authorities do?
In their decree of January 81, 1918,
they made this simple statement: ''Un-
conditionally, and without any excep-
tions, all foreign loans are annulled."
II have yet to hear of any change
in this announcement of the Soviet
o,,k