Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-09-07
Government Remains Unchanged on
Policy Of Non-recognition.
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.

Although of1icial announcements from
the Department Of state declare that
the policy Of the American Government
toward recognition Of the Russian Soviet
regime is unchanged, the prospect Is
there will be more discussion Of this
subject in the next session Of Congress
than heretofore.
Several members Of Congress have
been visiting Russia this Summer and
some Of them already have indicated
their belief that q change Of policy by
the United States Is undesirable. Fol-
lowing what 1t believes to be American
public opinion and while there have been
a number OF evidences here and there
that important and influential leaders
crystalization Of sentiment has been
apparent.
Russia Buys Millions from u. 3.
Interest In the Russian problem,
however, is unquestionAbiy growing.
The Russians are buying in the neigh
borhood of S150.000,0o0 worth Of
American goods and services. Return
ing engineers speak Of the Industrial
development in Russia based upon
American methods.
So far as the State Department is
concerned, it Is following the policy
tnat countries operating on q capital
istic system cannot reconcile their views
with communistic theory. (There are
many American business men, however.
who believe that freer intercourse be-
tween the United States and Russia
gradually will result In notifications on
the Russian side.)
There are, of course, certain uues-
lions and issues between the Russian
government and the washington Gov
eminent which will some day have to
De resolved. 1t has never been decided
what snail be done ON the matter of
war debts contracted by either the gov
eminent OF the Gear or the Kerensky
regime. The Russians always have
contended that counter-clai would be
MED whenever a conference on the debt
question is held.
Sanctity Of Obligations Enters.
Two other points also have never
been settled. One relates to the sane
tlty OF international obligations, which
Is prerequisite always to recognition.
Inc Russians argue that they will not
observe or respect obligations entered
INTO by the Russian government before
tney came into power, but that they
VIII keep their word on any agreements
they themselves make.
The other point relates to world
Wloe propaganda. The Soviet leaders
insist this has been much exaggerated
and Is an outgrowth of the plans made
when the whole world seemed to be
backing the counter Revolutionary
movements In Russia. Satisfactory
evidence as to discontinuance of this
propaganda never has been received by
American Government officials. In
fact, a committee of the House of Rep
resentatives Is investigating at this time
communistic activities in the United
States. The report of the committee
will be important in the discussion at
the next session Of Congress.
All that may be said ut the moment
Is that more interest Is being taken in
the Russian problem and that the De-
partment Of State will be influenced to
consider the question Of recognition and
to enter into parleys with the Russian
government as to a basis of agreement
only when it Is apparent that public
opinion, as manifested either inside or
outside of Congress, favors such
course.
Copyright. 1e30.l