Evening star., 1923-03-21

Continued from First Page)
ognition of obligations and a sound
basis of international intercourse"
Michigan Woman Mt Head.
fifty in number, was headed by Mrs.
William A. Atkinson of Michigan and
Miss Amy Woods OF Massachusetts,
who attended the Genoa conference.
The membership of the group was
brought together, it was explained,
by the women's committee for recog-
milton of Russia. which is affiliated
with the Women's international
League for Peace and Freedom.
According to petitions and docu-
ments left by the delegation for the
Secretary of State, it was shown that
of Columbia are members of the
executive committee of the Women's
Committee for Recognition of Rus
sia: Mrs ellison Gardner. Mrs. Paul
Hanna. Miss Mabel Urie, Mrs. George
T. O'Dell, Miss Edith Goode. Mrs.
Laura c. Williams. Mrs. Abby Scott
Baker, Mrs. Florence Voeckel, Mrs.
Charles Edward Russell Mrs. Edward
C. King. Mrs. Anna Zon and Miss
Adelaide Borah.
Reason for Urging Recognition.
In a document setting forth rea-
sons why this country should official
ly recognize Russia which was
placed in the Secretary's hands it
was stated among other, things that
there has been ample demonstration
by the Russian government that 1t is
ready and capable of protecting the
life of its own citizens and of for
eignerS who are either living in or
visiting Russia. Americans in Russia
during the past year report that life
is as safe there as elsewhere. Among
these are two such prominent citi-
zens as Bishop Nuelson of the Metho>
dist Episcopal Church, and ex-Gov.
Goodrich of Indiana
1t was also set forth in this docu-
ment that since 1921 there has been
new economic policies adopted and
that much legislation has been passed
in Russia for the protection of life
and freedom of the individual that
the sanctity OF contract and the
rights of free labor have been guar
anteed.
Claims Made in Document.
Among the claims made in the
document were: There is a growing
mass of available evidence as to
the competency of the Russian gov
ernnenI TO It's
tional obligations. The published re-
ports of the work of the American
Relief administration in Russia in
dicate that the soviet government is
fulfilling its contract with this or
ganization.
During the past year several
American corporations concluded con-
tracts with the Soviet government.
According to press reports these cor
porations are working in harmony
with the Soviet government.
"It also has been stated by Ameri-
can officials that among reasons for
Soviet government had requisitioned
property of Americans in Russia and
does not recognize the debt incurred
by the provisional Russian govern
ment. This debt is $1S7,000,000.
THE offers made by the soviet gov
ernment to the powers at Genoa and
The Hague demonstrate that 1t is
ready to negotiate the question of
compensation for losses suffered in
Russia by foreigners and that Of the
Russian debts, provided some means
are found to make it possible for
them to pay.
During the course Of the year an
effort was made by the United States
government to send a commission of
Investigation to Russia. This effort
failed, according to press reports, be-
cause the Russian government in
sisted on reciprocity. 1t offered to
meet American delegates on equal
terms at any place"