Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-10-13
CANADA MAY RECOGNIZE
SOVIET AHEAD OF u. S.
Washington's ll-Year Delay Only Third
of Time Russia Took on Rela-
tons With Colonies.

Russia's territory irr peace settlement.
Peace conference at Paris refuses to
admit Soviet delegates.
1920-United States completes with
drawal from military action against
Soviet by recalling American troops
from Siberia. United States also with
draws from cooperation in blockade
of Russia.
1921-President Harding continues
American policy of non-recognition.
Secretary, of State Hughes rejects
Soviet overtures on substantially same
grounds as stated by Colby. Beginning
of famine in Russia. with appeal for
American help which secre1ary Of
Commerce Hoover organizes through
American relief administration
1922-American relief reaches maxi
mum, under congressional appropri-
alton and private gifts. Millions of
meals served to starving Russians.
United States recognizes independence
of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
former Russian territory. Soviet also
recognized their independence
1923-Secretary Hughes again re-
jects Soviet oVertures for recognition
until main American contentious are
met. President Coolidge continues
policy as laid down by Wilson and
Harding
Trade Shows Real Progress.
1924, 1925, 1926-No substantial
change in American policy. Trade
with Russia beginning to show real
progress despite lack of official rela-
tons. Secretary of State Kellogg re-
fuses permission to Soviet envoy to
pass across United States to reach
post at Mexico City and reafdrms
stand of United States against hostile
propaganda and other Soviet policies
on debts. etc
1927-Tenth anniversary Of Soviet
regime finds it making headway,
though slowly, and no change in
American policy.
1s2a-secretary Kellogg in vigorous
statement says no advantage would ac-
crue from official relations so long as
rulers Of Russia hold to their original
aims, but puts no barriers in the way
OF trade, conducted at risk of those
cultivating it.
1929-Secretary of State Stimson
soon after entering Office announces
no change In American policy Trade
with Soviet Russia passes 10000, 900,
according to United States figures for
fiscal year.
The question of the repudiated debts
VIII figure Importantly in any neeotia-
lions toward recognition that here
a1ter may be undertaken. While Rus
STA was in the war on the side of t1e
allies the United States made loans.
which. with the accumulated interest
since then, now total about $500, 900, 900.
IN ADDITION there were loans made
by private American bankers to Russia
OF approximately $780, 900, with in
terest to date. Property owned bv
Americans In Russian territory and
connscated by the Soviet regime was
estimated at about $500 ,000. 900. Thus
the grand total of obligations re-
pudiated or property seized reaches
Soviet Advances Claim.
Against this claim the Soviet Oov.
eminent advances a claim for dam
ages to Russia incidental to the land
ing OF American troops on Russian
soil and the blockade. The same sort
OF claim is made by the Soviet against
England, France and other nations,
which lost much more by the Sovier
reputation of debts and confiscation
OF property than did the United States,
and what finally will be decided about
the respective claims In the London
Moscow negotiations, expected to begin
soon, will be watched closely through
out the world to get a key to new
Soviet policy.
The nations which have recognized
tria. China, Denmark, Estonta, Fin
land, France, Germany, Great Britain
Greece, Italy, Japan, Lativa, Lithuania.
Mexico. Mongolia, Norway, Persia. Po-
land, Sweden and Turkey.
Great Britain broke of relations in
1927 on charge that Soviet Russia
was aiding Communist propaganda in
England and the present move by Lon
don to recognize the Soviet Is to repair
That break. China and Soviet Russia
now are without official relations be-
cause OF the Chinese seizure of the
Manchurian Railroad. Mongolia is con-
s1dered virtually a creature of Soviet
Russia, SO that its recognition hardly
Is classed as that Of an independent
nation. A limited form of recognition
mas been extended by Belgium, Czecho-
slovakia. Hungary, Rumania and
Switzerland
Recognized by France in 1924.
The United States is alone among the
big powers in withholding recognition.
France, which was the heaviest loser
in Russia. extended recognition in 1924,
apparently on the theory that the
chance of getting compensation from
Russia would be improved by that step.
Secretary of State Kellogg on April IA,
1928, evidently had this theory in mind
when he stated:
There is every reason to believe that
the granting of recognition and the
holding of discussions have served only
to encourage the present rulers of Rus
STA in their policy of reputation and
confiScation as well as in their hope
that 1t is possible to establish working
basis, accepted by other nations,
whereby they can continue war on the
existing political and social order in
other countries"
However, the Department of State
then gave, and at present is giving,
every facility to legitimate Russian
traders and others who desire to come
to the United States on missions of a
scientific and other nature compatible
with our immigration laws. There is
quota for Russian immigration Just
as for other European nations. The
Russian flyers were accorded every
assistance in their tranSpacif1c flight
II there Is no official recognition of tn,
Soviet, there is manifest an easier feel.
ing between the two countries.
Has Unofficial Agency Here.
The Soviet has maintained in WASH
ington an unofficial agency known as
the Soviet Union Information ONCE"
at 28l9 Connecticut avenue, under Boris
E. SkirVsky, since 1922. But the Rus
sian Embassy Building at 1925 Six
USChbAt
and if, the United States recognizes the
Soviet.
Those familiar with the biography OF
President Hoover know that he spent
months in Russia before the World War,
In the days OF the monarchy, as Herbert
Hoover, engineer. investigating the
mineral and other resources Of the
country and laying out and organizing
industrial enterprises. Thus the Presi-
dent Knows Russia as 1t was before TIE
raV0lfYti011 nd he Hac EaV.k nla a.