Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-12-29
RELATIONS Of RUSS
AND UNITED STATES
STILL ARE DISTANT
BY DAVID LAWRENCE
Ueased Wire Service to The Journal.
(Copyright 1921

LEASED Wire Service to The Journal.)
Copyright, 1929
WASHINGTON, Dec. 27.-Diplo-
matte relations between the United
States government and the soviet
government Of Russia are far from
being resumed.
The controversy which has been
going on with reference to the au-
thenticity of the documents urging
the followers of the third interna-
tionale to arise and put the red
flag on the White House" Is only
a part Of the problem. The fact
that the Russians seem so exercised
over Secretary Hughes disclosures
is interesting enough, but officials
do not observe the soviets disavow-
ing the Third Internationale or de-
nouncing the doctrines which have
been the basis G soviet propaganda
in the United States.
Judging by the comments which
the episode has brought out, the
public has missed one point that has
not failed to arouse indignation in
inner circles here. 1t relates to the
Russian offer to recognize certain
debts due America since the cars
regime. On it's face the suggestion
seemed as if the Russians were be-
ginning to meet the American gov
erment half way, but coupled with
their offer is a demand that the
United States reciprocate~ by paying
damages for the occupa ton of Rus
sian territory both in Siberia and in
the Archangel region. The Russians
have been figuring it out that for
American consumption they would
recognize the war debt but would
turn around and in the same offer
demand enough for the occupation
of Russian territory to offset the
amount Of that debt and in effect
cancel the bill
No War Declared
What the United States in com.
pany with the allies attempted to
do in the various Russian expedi-
tons was to open up approaches to
the territory of Germany and to
maintain a blockade against Ger
many from all sides. Whatever was
done by the United States was Incl.
dent to the prosecution of the war
against Germany. There was never
a declaration of war against Rus
STA. Coming on top of the American
effort to save the Russian people
from starvation and other evidences
Of American friendship, it can be
stated without eXaggeration that the
last Russian proposal to charge the
United States for occupying Russian
territory during the war is consider
ed one of the most ungrateful acts
in the history of international rela-
tons.
The word battle over the docu.
ments Of the third internationale is
about over so far as the United
States is concerned Words are in.
teresting only as they are an index
of policy or action. If the Russians
do not believe in the distribution of
propaganda among American work,
men urging them to overthrow the
government here, they can give tes-
timony Of their good faith by
squelching the activities of Russians
in America who receive their funds
as well as their encoura cement from
Moscow.
Propaganda Must Stop
If the soviet government wishes
to enter into diplomatic relations
with the United States government
Gel tain acts will prove the eliglbil-
ity Of Russia to be accepted in the
family of nations once more. Oh.
jectionH are not raised so much as
to the kind OF government the Rus
siar s have--t that is an internal af-
fair, but the United States consid.
ers it very much a matter Of inter
national Jurisdiction if one nation
stands back of propaganda which
has for its object the overthrow of
the government Of another nation.
There is in America a group of
So-called liberals" who are criticiz.
ing the administration here for fail
ing to recognize soviet Russia. There
are a few business men and promot-
ers who are trying to persuade the
Washington government to make
trade agreements with Russia. But
there is no nation wide opinion in ia
vor Of recognition of the soviets so
long as they feel it necessary to
spread hostile propaganda and plot
to stir American ,workmen to revolt
That's the sum and substance of Of
fetal thought here and until Russia
herself shows signs Of change, the
problem can be relegated to the cal
endar Of unfinished business which
from the OreSent outlook will ro-
main unfinished Indefinitely.