Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-02-11
Wisdom of Loan to Russians
Vigorously Debated by Public

Americans are not in agreement as
to the wisdom OF the State Departm mt
In announcing It's diaapprovai OF a pro-
posed Russian railroad loan OF 10000
600. Those who recall the reputation
OF other obligations OF Russia feel that
the Government action Is proper step
for the protection Of American investors.
Others who profess to believe that
sounder policies sway the Soviet gov
eminent point 10 the existing trade be-
tween the two governments rs evidence
that there is new attitude In this
country. -,
"It cannot be considered rs at all
out OF the way" says the Utica OBJ
server Dispatch: for our Government
to object TO financial arrangements de-
signed to facilitate In any way the SAFE
of Soviet bonds In the United States.
10 have done anything less would have
been 10 be remiss IN duty. There arc
quite enough suspicious speculation OPP
portunitiea In our own country WIN
out inviting those from n government
which has repudiated every obligation
10 which II fell heir"
Until the Soviets are ready TO rec
0gnize their obligation To restore Ger
tain American properties conflscated III
the revolution of 1917" states the Kaia-
mnzoo Gazette, our Government docs
not wish TO become associated III any
fiscal transaction with Moscow. The
policy may seem a little severe In a
| way. but II represents an altogether
sensible determination 10 play safe.
Other nations which have recognized
the Soviet regime. either In n diplo-
matte or In commercial wav, have
found their experience anything bu'
satisfactory IT may b~ true that the
ncw trend at MOSCOW Ia toward mod
Grafton. but the Soviet leaders have
| much to live down before 1h"v can
hop" 10 cntov the rcapect and confidence
Of the outside world"
" ~ "
Apparently the Soviets labor under
| the delusion that large percentage oil
| the people IN the United States are
| sympathetic TO their revolt against CIV
iiiaation, and that II Is only necessary
| 10 get 10 the people themselves and they
| win win their support" according to
| the Manchester Union, This belief
| springs naturally from the Bolshevlst
| theory that the workers 0f the world
| are hostile To their established govern
| ments MoScows program OF world rev"
olution has been based upon this theory
and notwithstanding the failure oi
| that program. The Bnlshevists SIN con"
tinue under the obarsnion Of this fall
| lacy" The Union points out that Rus
| sia's unfecOgnized debt 10 America to-
day Is approximately one billion dol
| lars"
A point which n made by the Chi
| cag0 Tribune Ii that the 30Vieta are
trading on The cupidity Of foreign cap.
ital IL IN their expressed doctrine, .
continues that paper. that svarice will
send foreign capital into Russia IN the
face nf any record Of bad faith. pro-
vided only That The prospectus Is nuf,
| ficleniiy allutlng There may be some
thing IN what they say II Is FIRE.
dnent so'ifre of ahtonisllmrnt that
bankers who would not lend $50 IN q
corner grocery with smelly record ut
| bankruptcy viii negotiate loans Of mil-
| Hons ot dollars TO government which
boasts at lis record of reputation"
| ~ II not IN be wondered" remarks
the indianapolis News, that. with I'm
nerial Russian bonds held IN the United
| States long In default, their holders
should have protested against permit
Una the beW financing scheme. The
Russian authorities while they may bt
Dreaming mare temperate, have vet o.
give conclusive evidence 1T willing
ness to abide by atriet standards al
hnnnt IN International dealings VIZ
shall do we'll II VIZ wait somewhat ionge,
before committing ourselves to Go,irses
That. while they may meet the letter
at ofliaisl requirements, challenge the
spirit and their purpnse"
IN criticism Ut the action ut The STATE
Department, which II Describes as nm,
only unprecedented. but extraordinary, >
ths haltim0re Sun deelarea that ~ tall
ana candid statement 0f The depart,
niehts p0aiti0n ought IA be made. II
ought not IN h1 pnAaible.' continues tina,
paper, "for such action NJ haa haer
taken In this ease 10 be taken NJ VIII