Evening star., 1924-08-27
Anglo-Russian Treaties
Suggest Real Trouble

break off," in the opinion of the
Baltimore Sun, which goes on to saw
that as the Soviet government main
tains a monopoly on foreign trade
and has everything to gain now by
making a good impression on British
exporters, it is unlikely that the Do
litical opposition will get much of a
handle for attack from any Russian
failure to pay for purchases" The
Russians have won a big point, the
Pittsburgh Gazette-Times declares, for
they have found that a considerable
portion of the vocal Britons are more
concerned about trade agreement
than they are about justice" thus
finding "a lever with which they can
pry out of the British what they
desire" It. however. seems probable
the Soviets will have to come to
heel" If they are to get the money
they need, the Newark Evening News
points out, for "at the London con-
ference the bankers showed how rig
idly they could insist upon making
an international loan SO secure that
it would attract the capital of inves.
tors" and without closely defined Sc.
curity for their loan. they will ma.
turally be slow to make money ad.
vances to Russia"
y
The settlement with Great Britain
suggests Russia's willingness to pay
pre-war debts and to compensate for
eign interests "for some Of the losses
consequent upon the general confisca-
tion Of property by the communistic
government" the Charleston Evening
Post explains, adding that ''if this is
to be the general policy Of the Soviet
a new attitude on tho part Of that
institution is indicated, which should
lead to general acceptance Of the
communist regime as a political
power among the nations Of the
world"
But general sentiment seems rather
skeptical of results of the treaties.
For. insists tho Buffalo News, 1.-THE
sages of Moscow are great on prom
ises and poor on performances, and
they must prove their ability to fulfill
their pledges before they can get the
worlds confidence"
And 1t seems probable that, how
ever honest Russia's purposes now,
considerable loss on the old obliga-
tions will be felt, would appear fore
British government admits that the
financial position Of the Russians
makes full satisfaction impracticable,"
according to the Indianapolis News
The Lansing State Journal believes
that Russia will "repudiate any obli-
cations on her own part when they
como due, and the British will have
difficulty in securing payment Of
any loan unless there is ample securi-
ty to insure it."
Yet, with all this comment, the
treaties arc yet to be seen through
to a climax. As the New York Herald
Tribune regards it. "Mr. MacDonald's
statesmen appear to have met all the
existing complications by brilliant
essay in evasion. The treaty Of COM
merce and tho general treaty will, in
time, be signed, hut for the rest one
is left with the feeling that this is
an elaborate way Of explaining that
all the real issues are precisely where
they were three months ago." The
New York Times describes the
treaties as mot really a settlement,
but a postponement" although, as the
New York World points out in
keeping the way open, to readjust-
ments, which may presumably work
themselves out with time, Premier
|. Macdonald has chosen. q wiser course
than attempting 70 SIND all Russia
into exile for another. tern"