Evening star., 1933-11-20
Resumption of relations with Russia

Resumption Of relations with Russia
| represents the Roosevelt administra-
/ t1on's first big achievement in the realm
Of foreign affairs. 1t arouses special
satisfaction at the White House and
State Department because misfortune
| has dcgged Uncle Sans footsteps in
| every other international venture we
have essayed this year. Conclusions
were reached with Mr.. Ltvinof on No
vember Is, exactly six months from the
day on which President Roosevelt ad-
dressed his fervent appeal to the heads
of nations to join him in getting results,
first, at the Geneva Disarmament Con-
ference and then at the London
Economic Conference Inglorious failure
ensued at both of them. Afterward
came the Washington debt discussions
with the British. These too, proved
fruitless And it looks now as if the
forthcoming Pan-American Conference
at Montevideo might be devoid Of
practical achievements, too. Under all
the circumstances, recognition of Russia
looms as an accomplishment Of tower
ing significance. If 1t turns out to be
as important, economically and politi-
cally, as enthusiasts think, the admin
istration will be inclined to feel that
1t more than compensateS for the lack
Of laurels In other foreign directions
***
1t was "two-man" diplomacy, praeti-
brought about the Russian-American
rapprochement at Washington in rec
ord time-a gulf Of 16 years bridged in
justify Senator Borah's famous conten-
tion that the first thing to do at an
international conference Is to Danish
the experts. President Roosevelt, of
course, had an unlimited number of de-
partmental specialists at his beck and
call. Mr.. Litvinoff brought two assist
ants from Moscow. But for the most part
the President and the Moscow commits
sar did business by themselves. 1t is GER
tain that all major decisions and final
arrangements leading to recognition
tive session, though Mr.. Bullitt sat in
as the climax was reached. One won
ders. with all due difference to the ex-
perts. If many of the worlds problems
couldn't be settled the way Messrs.
Roosevelt and Litvinof settled Russian
American questions-by having couple
Of responsible statesmen with plenary
powers remain together u1molested by
outside influences of any kind until they
reach their goal. It isn't exactly a case
of open covenants openly arrived at,
but. as we've just seen. the system does
produce results.
One Of the little known heroes of
the newly cemented Russo American
friendship is an American newspaper
man, Laurence Todd, for the past ten
years representative Of the Soviet Union
telegraph news agency in Washington
and an ardent apostle Of recognition.
He has not always had an easy role to
play amid the rampant prejudice
against the Communist government and
opposition to relations with Moscow.
But Todd never lost the respect and
regard of his press gallery colleagues or
their admiration Of the sane and tact
full way in which he carried his Soviet
journalistic credentials. He has visited
Moscow twice and enjoys wide ac-
quaintance among Russian leaders.
Todd never lost faith that sooner or
veer in the Soviet's direction. Mutually
he is elated over the history made in
washington last week, in the course OF
which, it is suspected, Mr.. Mtvinoh
found him q valuable coadjutor.
Senator Borah will tarry in Washing
ton this week en- route to New York,
where he will attend q dinner on Thurs
day in honor Of Mr.. Litvinod. He at
first declined the invitation because
cold had laid him low, but In response
to urgent appeals from the committee
to make a special effort to be present,
he decided to leave Idaho in time to
speak at the dinner. The Senator and