Evening star., 1926-10-10

Negotiations with the Soviet Re.
public Of Russia for the acknowledg
ment of the debt Of that country to
the United States are indicated as pos
sible by the envoy from Moscow to
London. He says that as condition
to induce the opening Of these ne
gotiation Russia will drop its counter
claims against this country. His
statement indicates a dilemma for the
Soviets. They cannot pay their debts
until long-term foreign loans give
them internal financial stability. and
they cannot secure those credits until
they begin debt negotiations. The So
luton Of this problem, he suggests,
lies in the cancellation of the counter
claims.
1t is difficult to see how the United
States can enter into negotiations
with the government at Moscow.
which is not recognized by II as a
member of the family Of nations. II
IL possible, Of course. that 1t may treat
with the present successors of the
government with which It formerly
had relations as with a debtor without
governmental standing. but there will
he no support whatever in this coun-
try for any proposal to trade recogni-
ton for debt settlement.
Sentiment in the United States is
strongly against any recognition of
the Russian Soviet. The fact that 1t
has changed its policies does, not
cleanse Il of its sins. The record OF
treacherv and endeavor to subvert
government In this country Is too
strong to permit any condoning by
America as long as conditions remain
unchanged.
No matter how far from the false
economic principles the present Soviet
regime at Moscow may drift. through
exrediency, there remains the fact
that the basis Of that regime is COM
munisnn, and the directing force Of the
Russian administration IL the Third
1nternationale-an orEa nization which
aims AZ the complete overturnins of
ali established governments In the
world founded upon true representa-
tive principles.
ff the United States holds true to
It's principles It must refuse, without
any limitation Of time, to recognize
Russia under it's present regime. Sin
cere reputation Of the subversive doc
trines that 1t is seeking, through i'll
concealed official propaganda. to
spread here must be required as an
initial condition Of any direct dealings,
whether regarding the debt or any
other relation.
This present proposal. not as yet Of
fclally offered. to reopen the debt
question with the United States comes
from government that recently.
under the thin camouflage Of work
mons unions that were actually under
the compulsory dictation of the Soviet.
sought to intervene in the British
labor strike The present Industrial
situation in Great Britain Is largely
the result Of Russian influence and
aid. It IL perfectly well known that
efforts are consta ntly made by the
Soviet to suhvert the American work
ers' orgs MIA tions. The agents of Mos.
COW are incessantly At work to bore
from within" Communist centers,
guided by Moscow. are conducting
campaigns of education among the
children Of the United States.
No confidence can be felt In the sin
cerity cf any Russian protests ~ good
faith as long as the "interlockinS di-
rectorete" Of the various circles OF
Communism and state administrat tion
at Moscow remain in authority. 1t
may he expedient for Moscow now to
seek some readjustment Of the debt.
In order to secure credits. But before
this country lends its aid. by accepting
anv concessions. II should have proof
ti,At the system Of concealed Commun-
istic government has been ended, def
initely and permanently.
Let Moscow come forward with clean
hands and the United States may deal
with II on business ha sis.
The Hal, Mills case continues to in