The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-05-02
SENATE CHIEFS
FAVOR RUSSIAN
TRADE TREATY
Only Seven of important
Foreign Relation Group
Oppose Accord.
BY WILLIAM PHILIP sIMMs
Howard ForelEn EDITOR

Scripns- Howard Foreign Editor
WASHINGTON. May "A ma
jority Ct the important senate for
eign relations committee. on whose
roster are some OF the biggest names
IN congress. now favor the negotia-
ton Of a trade agreement with
Russia
In general, they favor recogni-
ton as well, though some Of them
ere Of the opinion that this can
wait until normal business relations
are re-established.
On the Republican side, Senator
William E. Borah of Idaho. chair
man OF the committee. long has ad-
vocated normal diplomatic and
trade intercourse with the Soviet
Union. IN fact. at one time he was
almost the only one TO do so.
Others are Senators Hiram john
son OF California. Rorbert NJ. La
Toilette Of Wisconsin. and Bronson
Cutting Of New Mexico.
Democrats in Favor
On the Democratic side are Sena-
tors Key Pittman Of Nevada, rank
Ing member in the absence OF
Swanson OF Virginia Joseph T.
Robinson Of Arkansas: Walter F.
George Of Georgia. Hugo L. Black
OF Alabama. Robert r. Wagner Of
New YORK; Tom Connally Of Texas;
and >. Hamilton Lewis Of Illinois.
Senator Swanson is in Geneva, at
tending the arms conference. His
views are not known definitely.
Senator Thomas Walsh of Montana
IS absent. but is thought TO favor
normal relations with Russia. Sen
stor pat Harrison is the only
Democratic member OF the COM
mite now in Washington slated as
opposed.
Senator Henrik Shipstead r. L..
Mimi is in favor. Arthur Capper
rep. KanJ, is understood to have
an open mind on the subject. while
Moses of New Hampshire. Reed of
Pennsylvania. Fess Of Ohio, Van
denburg Of Michigan, Robinson of
Indiana. and Glenn Of Illinois are
administration wheelhorses and are
not expected to change direction
until given the signal.
Only Seven Opposed
Thus only seven Of the twenty
two committee members-approx-
imately one-third-are definitely
known to be opposed, while twelve
are just as definitely in favor either
OF normal trade relations, formal
recognition, or both. The stand of
the other three is not known at
present.
We do not underwrite a coun-
trys political or economic system
by trading with that country" said
Lewis. Should we trade with
Russia, We would not approve her
system any more than she would
ours"
Right now. in our economic
crisis" Cutting declared, trade is
doubly important. Russia is great
potential customer. We should
recognize her government and enter
into normal trade relations with
her as soon as possible"
Shipstead said: "Of course we
should recognize Russia and trade
with her. I'm much more afraid
Of some Of the propaganda here at
home than I am of Russian propa-
panda from abroad "
Brookhart for Recognition
Senator Smith Brookhart rep,
Ia urges recognition, on the basis
of what it would do TO help the
farmers. He is a member of a
number Of important committees,
including interstate commerce. One
OF the chief arguments against a
trade understanding with Russia is
that She would flood this country
with cheap farm products.
Competitors" ne exclaimed.
"Why. the Russians have home
demand that is growing faster than
any in the world. They never will
export as much wheat as they did
under the cars.
In 1881. because OF an insult
f1cient supply Of raw materials, such
as cotton textiles. their factories
had to run 40 per cent below ca
pacity. If properly financed with
fair credits. we could have sold
Russia 100000 bales Of cotton.
They lack beef. pork, dairy
products. It will take them years
10 get to the point even of supply
ing themselves. There are 160.-
100000 people growing in every way
economically.
1t is our market unless we toss
II away. It could absorb from one
TO two billions of our goods every
year. If We do not supply it, Eng
land and Germany will"