Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-01-08
LODGE AND BoRAH
IN VERBAL ROW over
SOVIET RECOGNITION

Washington. Jan. 7-Recognition
Of the Soviet government OF Russia
was the subject of extended and fiery
| debate today in the senate.
Senator Lodge of Massachusetts,
the Republican leader, in prepared
address. supported the administra-
tons policy of non-rccognition, and
Senator Lenroot, Republican, Wis
consin. Joined forces with him. With
his accustomed forcefulness. Senator
Borah, Republican. Idaho. urged ne
Gotiations looking to recognition.
Crowded galleries listened to the
more than three hours of oratorical
effort and running fire of repartee.
Mrs. Coolidge. her son. John. and
Mrs. Frank w. Stcarns. occupied
seats in the presidents row.
Senator Lodge based his opposition
to recognition on the ground that
| in fostering propaganda against the
! American government. Quoting from
published documents purporting to
prove the propaganda charges, he
declared that the propaganda comes
| directly from the government we arc
asked TO recognize" He also assert
| cd that there were "interlockinE di-
rectorates" between the Soviet gov
| eminent, the Communist party and
the Communist Internationale.,
Senator Borah, following Senator
| Lodge Immediately in an eXtempor
aneous address. declared that the
| Russian government was established
and its recognition would stabilize
/ conditions in this country as well rs
! Europe. open up trade and also tend
to check any propaganda here
! Briefly referring to the propa sanda
! question, Senator Borah said he did
not believe the Soviet government
| has been involved in this respect
| since 1921.
! There seems sufficient upon which
| to base foreign policy but not
enough for an indictment" he assert
ed. Recognition of the present Rus
| sian government would constitute
neither approval of its policy nor OF
\ the character of the men forming 1t
Such action would mean simply that
we realize it is the only governing
| power III lkuSSlti anu IL VIC diC "
deal at all with that great nation Il
must be through its government
Senator Lenroot. replying to Sen
| ator Borah. said the latter had moi
:, answered the argument of Senator
| Lodge and had virtually admitted
that hostile propaganda was being
spread. This cccntry, Senator Len
| root declared, should not enter nego'
tiations to stop the propaganda. its
cessation being a condition precedent
, to consideration of recognition.
! Senator Borah's contention thai
propaganda would diminish after
!, recognition was challenged by Sen
ator Lenroot, who said that * Rus
/ STA should be- recognized the avenues
4; for spreading propaganda would be
! increased greatly.
At the conclusion Of tho debate
! Senator Borah introduced n resolu'
[ ton calling upon Secretary Hughes
| to send to the senate, if not incom'
| patable with the public interest. tho
| text of various reports made during
the last six years by persons con
nected with official and semi ofilcia
organiza tons active in Russia
! Among the reports mentioned In the
/ resolution were those of William
Boyce Thompson. Colonel Raymond
Robins, Major General William s
/ Graves. Ex-Governor J. p. Goodrich
/ of Indiana, Major Slaughter. and
Major Faymonville.
The resolution was laid on the
I table