The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-04-30
U. S. COURSE ON
RUSSIAN TRADE
BRANDED FOLLY
Paul Cravath, Famous as
Lawyer, Urges Business
Relations With Soviet.
BY WILLIAM PHILIP sIMMs
serlppa-HoHArd Forelrn Editor

NEW YORK. April 30.-Paul D.
Cravath. noted lawyer, today de-
clared that in his opinion It would
be the height Of folly for our gov
eminent 70 go out Of its way TO
close the Russian market TO our
manufacturers and merchants"
General Pershing awarded Cra-
vath the Distinguished Service
medal for exceptionally meri-
toriOus conduct and services during
the war" He was advisory counsel
Of the American mission 70 the
inter-allied war conference at Lon
don and Paris In 1928. He is
member Of the Republican and
Union League clubs Of New York
and Of the New York Bar Associa-
ton.
At this time he told Scripps-
Howard newspapers. when the
United States is struggling with
overproduction, II is Of the first
Importance for the United States
70 develop foreign markets.
Founded on Error
The agitation against trade with
Soviet Russia IS based upon a pro-
found misrepresentation. 1t is found
cd on the mistake that the Soviet
government and the Russian people
are synonymous terms.
1T has been the policy Of the
Unittd States to encourage trade
with al nations and all peoples. 1t
never has been the policy, as far
as I know. except in time Of war,
that our nationals should be re-
CURED 70 refuse trade with a foreign
nation because Of objections to its
form Of government. Governments
are transitory, but nations and peo-
pies arc eternal.
Russia is the most populous
country in Europe. The equilibrium
OF European commerce, or, for that
matter, Of world commerce, can not
be restored until Russia again takes
its normal place in international
trade.
II is. therefore. Of first Importance
that the policy OF the United States
should be that American manu-
facturers may be able to enter the
Russian market in competition with
manufacturers of other countries
and establish themselves so that
whenever prosperity returns TO Rus
STA. the nations Of the United States
will have their fair share Of Rus
sian trade and enjoy the good will
OF the Russian people.
Labor Not Forced
THE argument often is heard
that Russian imports into the
United States should be barred be-
cause most Of them are the products
OF forced labor. This charge has
been exploded many times.
When I was in Russia a year
ago. I was told that the turnover
If Russian labor was much greater
than in Germany, due to the rest
lessness Of Russian workmen, which
causes them TO shift from factory
TO factory at great sacrifice OF ef-
ficiency.
Another argument in support OF
the embargo Of Russian imports is
that under their system Of state
planning Of industry and commerce,
Russia may in time become so ef-
ficient that she can undersen our
merchants and manufacturers in
our own markets.
From what I have seen, heard,
and read about the Russian indus
trial system, 1 do rot think these
charges are well grounded. Our
protection should be in a general
tariff and not in an embargo against
a particular country.
on one thing I am clear, and
that is that. under the existing
American tariff and the present in
efficiency in Russian manufacturing.
there is no danger of Soviet Russia
invading our markets with manu-
featured products to any serious de-
gree.
Show Lack Of Faith
Those who fear for spread of
Communism in this country claim
that trade with Russia means favor
ing the Soviet form of government.
It seems 70 me that this attitude
shows a humiliating lack of faith in
our institutions.
Aside from that, success or fall
ure. Of the Soviet experiment does
not depend on trade with the United
States. If the United States refuses
10 trade with Russia. there are
plenty Of other countries that will
encourage Russian trade
NO commercial boycott can be
effective unless it is general through
out commercial nations. Certainly
no other nation gives indication of
willingness to join the proposed
American boycott"