The Washington times., 1930-09-11
BIG BUSINESS
SPLIT OVER
TRADE
Decline in Soviet Commerce
Here Stings, and Demand for
New Policy Gairs Converts
Ry PIERCE MILLER

Rumblings of discomfort in~big
business and in the Senate over
the State Departments nonrec-
ognition policy toward Russia,
coupled with decided decllne
Of trade with that country, has
engendered the belief that q
showdown will be demanded at
the next Congress.
For the first time since the
Hughes pronouncement in the
Harding administration against
recognition until the Soviet rec
ognized czarist Russian interna-
tional obligations and agreed to
recognize the usual comities
among nations there appears evi.
dence of a break in the opposi-
tfon.
NOrbeck Turns Scale
If a movement is started in
the Senate next winter to force
the State Departments hand
and there are to be found many
who believe such will happen
recognition will be dependent on
negotiation of commercial urea
ties. Z
Opinion here favorable to rec
ognition finds significance in the
fact that Senator Norbeck (RO :,
of South Dakota, is listed among
those who think the time is ap-
preaching when a new policy will
have to be adopted toward So
Wet Russia.
Little Importance is attached
to Senator Wheeler's advocacy Of
resumption Of relations, because
he was virtually committed as a
friend of the Soviet before his
recent trip to Russia.
Barley a Convert
Wheeler and Senator Barley
CD of Kentucky, who returned
recently, both expressed the view
that the United States would take
second place in Russian trade UNI
less recognition were accorded.
Senator Cutting lR), Of New
Mexico, now in Russia, also has
been quoted as favorable.
Senator Borah (R0, Of Idaho,
chairman of the Senate Foreign
Relations Committee, has long
been opposed to the policy laid
down by Hughes, carried on by
Kellogg, and thus far accepted by
StimSon.
Few observers here have an
idea President Hoover will pe in
fluenced by any expression of
views by Senate resolution, or by
Senators privately.
Will Depend on Budd
: He is believed more apt to be
guided by the report of Ralph
Budd, president of the Great
Northern Railway, and prominent
engineers who went to Russia at
the request of the Soviet Govern
ment to make surveys.
MIR. Hoover has made no secret
Of his adherence of everything
Smacking of Communism, though
he will not be guided in his at
titude by past policies
At present, the President op-
poses recognition. What his at
titude may be in few months
will depend on what he conceives
to be the best interests Of the
United States economically, and
not on whether he approves of
the Soviet form of government,
according to those in his conf
dence.
The State Department organi-
zation in inheritance from many
former administrations, is unal-
terably opposed to recognition
until Communism is stifled.
The chief hope of those favor
able to recognition that Mr..
Hoover may change his policy
appeared to be based on the al
tered attitude of the Treasury
Department toward imports from
Russia. It has been generally &C
cepted here that when the Treas
llry made an about-face regard.
ing the ban he ordered through
the customs control, it acted
under direct orders from the
White House.