Evening star., 1933-02-12
j. s. SOVIET POLICY |
CHANGE FORESEEN
Time Ripe, Says Former Con.
sui, as Numerous Leaders
Renew Discussion.
BY ROBERT ST. JOHN.

with renewed vigor by numerous lead
ers, with indications the matter may
be urged upon President-elect Roose-
welt for decision early In his admins
tration.
De Witt Clinton Poole, former
consul general and charge d'affaires in
Moscow, who later in the State De-
partment played an important part in
shaping the present policy of non-rec-
ognition, tonight said he now had
reached the opinion "the time for =
change in our Russian policy has
come"
"As a matter of practical politics"
he continued, II am sure something Is
going to be done in this direction with
in a short time"
On February Is at a meeting Of the
Foreign Policy Association in Boston
he will call for a Determination of
this country's attitude toward the Sow
let government.
In Washington, Senator Borah, Re-
publican, Of Idaho, said he would seize
every chance that came his way to
bring about the recognition Of Russia.
Interest in Subject.
Although the question Of re-estab-
lishment OF diplomatic relations with
Russia is an executive responsibility,
Borah has reason to believe the Presi-
dent-elect Is at least interested in the
subject. and he said he would await
any move from that direction before
making up his mind what he would
do in the next Congress.
Il shall avail myself of every oppor-
tunity to advance the cause" the Idaho
Republican said In response to
questions.
Il do not know what those opportuni-
ties will be until the new administration
comes in" he added
Senator Norris Republican, of Ne
braska), said he did not know what atti-
tude the Democratic administration
would take on recognition.
But am for recognition" he said,
Il thing it should be done and done
soon"
Senator Cutting Republican, of New
Mexico), another champion of recogni-
tion Of Russia, said he did not at this
time plan to sponsor recognition of the
Soviet Union, but would support such .
move.
Senator Borah has been in charge Of
this move" Cutting explained, "and /
don't see how I could interfere. but I
certainly think Russia should be recog-
nized and will support recognition of It."
President-elect Roosevelt has made
no announcement Of the policy he will
follow in regard to Russia In response
to recent question, he said he did not
desire to discuss the matter at this time.
During the campaign, he stated he In
tended making q full study Of the
question.
Last u. 8. Consul in Russia.
hard anti-Bolshevik," was the last
American consular representative to-
leave Russia. From May to July Of
1918 he was acting consul general in
Moscow and during his last three
months In Russia was, In the absence
OF the Ambassador, charge daffaires.
From 1920 to 1924 he was chief of the
State Departments Division of Russian
Affairs. At present he is chairman of
the Advisory Board of Princeton Uni
versity's School of Public and Inter-
national Affairs.
Poole said he had not discussed the
Russian situation with the President
elect, but added, In the interview:
Mr.. Roosevelt Is almost certain to
do something about the Russian policy
situation. My interest Is that the ac-
tion Of the new administration be dis
Greet and wisely taken"
He spoke Of conversations he has held
recently with others vitality interested
in this country's Russian policy. Many
were men who have held In the past
that Americas attitude was q correct
one; others were men who have been
favoring changed policy for some
time.
But now all Of them, Poole said, are
in general agreement with the idea
which he has expressed privately to
them-that the time has comel for ne
gotiations looking to the possibility Of
a new relationship.
Poole did not name those with whom
he has talked. 1t was understood that
he has not yet discussed the situation
with Senators Borah, Cutting and
Norris.
His idea is that 1--WE make q courteous
approach to the Soviet government.
with full regard for their dignity, and
invite them to q conference for the
purpose Of exploring the possibility Of
establishing full diplomatic relations"
Ex-Secretary Hughes Quoted.
In outlining the subjects which would
form the basis for such negotiations, he
quoted former Secretary of State
Hughes memorandum on why recogni-
tion was withheld.
In n three reasons were given:
Propadangic practices of the Third In
ternationale; reputation of interna-
tional debts and failure to settle claims
made by American commercial houses.
I'VE ought to seek q two-way propa-
ganda agreement with the Russians"
Poole said, by which each nation
would take Q pledge against spreading
propaganda, and then the negotiations
could turn to the debt and claim
problems.
IT q satisfactory agreement were
reached, the signal for that success
could be formal recognition"
Poole, In explaining why he felt such
negotiations should precede recognition
emphasized that formal recognition.
given before the problems listed In the
Hughes memorandum were settled,
would do little good.
He said Q settlement Of the debt and
claim problems must come before there
5can be q restoration Of confidence In
Russia on the part Of business men;
that such a confidence Is q prerequisite
of the Russians obtaining the credits in
this country they so greatly desire. and
that the credits are prerequisite to
trade agreements and the opening of
American markets in Russia.
While Russia has some 81, 500 ,000, 900
Of international debts charged against
her, Poole said that outside of the COM
mercial claims few of which, he ex-
planned. have been settled within the
last 10 years-Russia' debts to the
United States amount to anly about
1912 900 900, exclusive of interest.
OF that sum $50, ,000, 900 Is represented.
he said. by czarist bonds noated in New
York and $l86, 900 900 by loan granted
by the United States to the Russian
provisional government.
S272,eo0,0Oe Owing u. s.
The Soviet Royernment has refused