The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1933-10-30

spontaneous origin publ1Shed herein.
All rights Of republication Of oil other
matter herein are also reserved.
Editors Favor Recognition
Recently there was sent out to the
daily newspapers Of the country .
simple question prepared by the
American Foundation with a view to
ascertaining the attitude Of repre-.
sentative editors on the question Of
Russian recognition.
The question was: do you favor
or oppose recognition Of Russian" and
recognition was defined to mean the
immediate establishment Of diplo-
matte relations, with agreement to
enter upon subsequent negotiations
for the adjustment Of all outstanding
claims and other matters now In dis
pute."
Returns from this poll have now
been sent to the press and the out
standing fact is the marked change
In the traditional anti Russian trend.
OF 1889 dailies replying. 7ls or s.
per cent advocate recognition under
the terms Of the definition; 20 or
26 per cent favor recognition but
with qualifications which might
negative their stand; 500 or 100 per
cent are opposed. some OF them with
qualifications which might negative
that position: 70 or SO per cent take
no stand and seven express view or
comment but do not reply to the in
quiry as framed.
Classifying the answers on the basis
Of politics, 1t Is notable that the
staunch Republican newspapers gen.
orally are against the proposal,
whereas the Democratic and indie
pendent publications are inclined to-
ward recognition. Geographical To-
cation seems to make less difference,
the margin in favor OF at least talk
ing things over with the Soviet being
well distributed throughout the coun-
try.
On this basis, II editors represent
the trend Of general opinion, 1t would
seem that President Roosevelt's in
vitation to the Soviet to send man
to washington was destined to re-
ceive considerable popular support,
even before he declared his position.
What the situation would be now,
with the power OF the president be-
hind the proposal. can only be guessed
at.
In this connection. 1t is only fair
to note that the president may have
had the benefit Of advance returns
on the poll before making his recog-
milton move, since the committee Of
the American Foundation In charge
Of the poll contains names OF persons
who would easily find means OF get
ting information to the white house.
Members Of the committee are all
Americans Of wealth or distinction or
both. with not red" or parlor pink
In the lot. They wanted to know
what men In daily contact with the
public thought and they found out.
II, perchance, President Roosevelt
does have occasion to look over the
returns Of the poll, he will have am
pie opportunity to sense the things
in which the public will be most in
terested when he begins negotiations
with Maxim Litvinoff, Russian for
eign commissar.
Chief among the conditions which
the newspapers consider necessary is
one to prevent the Soviets from dis
seminating Communistic propaganda
IN this Country. A few who favor
recognition express confidence that
such subversive efforts would not
take" in this country but the ma
jority want an agreement barring it
and express the view that violation
of the agreement should result in
withdrawal of recoguition.
Among these newspapers the chief
argument In favor Of recognition is
that 1t would benefit business and
Agriculture by opening new markets.
The question Of the Russian debts
has dropped into the background, al
though many mention II. Those who
favor. recognition comment that Rus
sia Is in better position In this re-
spect than France and some Of the
other nations. since the governments
which contracted those debts still
ass Ia power. Some Of those opposed
70 recognition insist that the debts
Ct the Csarist regime should be paid
before recognition i extended.
Some mention the religious aspects
6 the proposal. IN view Of Russia's
oeficial trend toward oodlessness. but
nanst who - express the view that
y y none Of our business"
EVEN tlaoss who Oppose recognition
- mt challenge the stability Of the
1a1nGian government. All concede that
+ has demonstrated it, endurance
ana that the only questions affecting
secpGnition relate to our own internal
vlews and economic conditions.