Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1924-10-19

ii
L. in connecting political nos
trums of sufficient strength TO
i GUST his enemies and obtain
the reins OF government for
| himself went far. One of the elements
injected into his brew was recognition
of the Soviet government of Russia
He flew in the face of political en-
emies, who insisted that before the
Moscow regime should be recognized
the Soviet should admit the business
of French loans to Russia, totaling
about $4,000, 100000 francs, d thing
which Lenin, Tchitcherin and others
have considered unspeakabIe. Her
riot insisted Frances interests could
be protected. but recognition was the
| thing needed to safeguard French in
terests In the general European
scheme Of economic recovery. Her
riot was elected premier after a
struggle. He joined his influence
with that of Macdonald in framing
reconstructive measures of interna-
! tional character and of wide impor-
lance.
1t is noticeable now, however. that
Herriot has hesitated about Russia
The French commission designated to
study the Russian recognition ques-
ton has reported. and for recognition
| The issue at once comes squarely be-
| fore Herriot- The Russian question
is not a wholesome one for any
French government TO attack, for the
reason that the thousands of French
| peasants who contributed to the car
list loans. and have nothing but scraps
| of paper to show for their pains, are
| antagonistic to the Slavs in the ex-
! treme, and particularly the bolshe-
! visits, who have repeatedly foresworn
! payment of obligations of old Russia
| Peasant support in France is largely
| responsible for Herriot's position.
! Peasant non-support can work for his
, overthrow as quickly. The only
| means of appeasing the French people
! is negotiation actually designed to
! bring repayment of the funds skidded
! through the Russian sluice.
Recognition Is Deferred.
! The French commissions report
was presented to the cabinet during
| the week, calling as it did for de jure
! recognition, but protection of Frances
claims to repayment of old loans.
| Though formal recognition was pre-
dicted for Friday, the cabinet decided
| to defer the question until the pres
! ent week. 1t is known that Herriot,
| who faces recalcitrant forces in Par
| Lament on other questions, and who
sees the trouble a Russian treaty has
worked for Macdonald in England,
! naturally desires TO defer the GueS-
! ton to the last possible moment.
Some compromise may be worked out
during the course of the next week
which may be deemed adequately pro-
! tective to French interest. This nee
essarily would not mean that Russia n
| recognition would follow immedi-
ately. inasmuch as the Russians
! themselves would have to be con-
suited and long conferences initiated.
| There is little likelihood that the
| Russian government would consent
| to recognition of old loans, and unless
/ this is done then present efforts will
result in nothing tangible. If Herriot
| without adequate protection to
French interests then his doom will
b sealed as quickly as political
leaders Of the opposition care to
make the Russian issue a question of
! confidence in the chamber.
The whole question of Russian
recognition on the continent, neces-
sary as such action would appear if
! the European economic and financial
! machine is set to functioning ade-
quately. is purely political one at
the moment, each of the larger pow
ers jockeying for inside position in
| position the far-reaching plans for
| extending political influence may be
promoted Naturally all countries are
seeking to gain this advantage.
But no matter how DESTROYS pre-
miers and various governments may
be to bring Russia within the pale Of
! nations, it is a fact, all agree, that
| tangible economic results of such
| recognition cannot come for years
because of the extremely disorganiz-
! ed condition of Russia's affairs
Recognition now will come from po-
| litical expediency and not hope of
economic gain.
| knowing the dangers before him.
Premier Herriot undoubtedly will
| proceed with caution, for as in the
! case of Macdonald his political fu-
. ture eventually may rest on this one
issue alone.
Balkan Peasants Organize.
From little Croatian village with
an almost unpronounceable name,
Nrpolje, may emerge pronounced
cause. During the past week more
than 10000 peasants assembled there.
They had trekked their way over tor
turous paths, over mountains and
through the daleS of picturesque
lands, that they might give voice to
a new doctrine which they hope will
undermine milftaristic regimes which
are steadfastly pursuing policies des-
tined to lead to war and bloodshed
Rumanians, headed by the famous
Lupu, a liberal of liberal leaders, gave
voice to a demand that there be rec