The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1933-10-26
Recognition
of Russia


r p....u without taking sides,
vet we are hearing
so much about Russia these days that
the situation can hardly 90 unnoticed.
Whether 1t Is right or wrong to recog-
nIze the Soviet government and estab-
lish diplomatic negotiations is rather
likely to continue long time as con-
troversial question, but there are nu-
merous facts available that are impor-
tant to know. 1t is from that angle
that propose to examine the question.
Obviously, economic questions enter
into international relationships what
ever the problem may be that forms
the focal point at the moment And
economic questions are to the fore In
the present Russian equation. Out
standing proponents of Russian recog-
milton. and great many others who
merely think they are outstanding. are
urging that the United States has suf-
| fered immense loss of trade by the
long delayed recognition. They argue
| also that our position of delay has af-
forded other powerful industrial ma
lions to get there ahead Of us. to gain
a foothold from which 1t will be diff
cult to Jar them loose. Because OF
recognition being withheld so long.
they contend. other early birds got the
important worm
And another thing about which rec
| o~rfttor nwnoropte rrna1oiv,, THAR fnnl.
Ings Is that cur government has been
inconsistent In Its foreign policy and
has insulted the people of a great ma
ton by withholding diplomatic Brela-
tions from them. They point to that
which Is true, that the United States
has recognized de facto. or revolution
made, governments throughout the
| Central and South American nations
with the very minimum Of delay.
Why, they have asked, has our gov
eminent accorded recognition to gov
ernments In South America where the
individuals at their heads have been
| little, II anything. more than brlgands
(racketeers, we call them In our own
4 citiesl
Much Of the propaganda favorlng
recognition has had its origin among
individuals and groups with very def
] mite and dIscnverahle axes to grind.
Some OF 1t hR come as straight as
the crow fiieMtrom Communistic sym
pathizers, If not from actual Commu-
nistic agents. They are master propa-
gandists. That being their Job. think
1t is unfair to criticize them. though
disagree with them and their pur-
poses. From many students of the sit.
uatIon. hear only the demand that
the propagandists come out In THE
open instead Of seeking their ends and
aims by dirty. sneaking trickery.
Being acquainted with good dea
of the Soviet program to bring about
recognition Of their government by tht
United States, took occasion to lool
up the trade records. The figures II
black and white ought to be convincing
to anyone. They fail to show that an,
nation which has established diplomat
ic relations with the Soviet under tn,
dictator. Stain, has profited from tina
recognition.
In the case of our own nation, ou
commerce with the Soviet was virtual
ly on a level will
As to Trade any Of the nation
Re.uIf. whose diplomatic
representatives wer
j accredited to the Soviet Our trad
has gone up or has gone just abou
nations that have recognized the Rus
= sian experimental regime. Thi
( seemed to me to establish that rec
. ognition had nothing whatever to
0 with the question. Further. 1t SCENE
to prove that the other nations ha
:. gained no advantage. no foothold, whic
our own exporters had not had. I
4 me, the figures definitely confirmed tn
J. statement made by the former secrt
d tary of state, cambridge Colby, tina
e recognition had no bearing whatsoeve
= on trade results.
q There are some social and human
Il tartan objections to recognition. how
ever, that strike me as being wortl
| while In view Of the history of our nj
y ton and the freedom of religious wo
ship which was guaranteed by bein
: written into the Constitution. Pres
4 dent Roosevelt got very close to I'll
q key In his speech In New York on O
. toher 5 when he suggested that no ri
= ton denying Its citizens the right I
: religious worship could subsst lon
!, He intimated belief TINT eventual
: such government would find itse
alIenated from other peoples, and
), that be true. then Mr. Roosevelt pr
: dicted the ultimate outcome OF Il
: system of which Stain Is now Il
overload. So 1t seems to me that !
stead of insulting the Soviet by den
y ing. or rather. withholding, recognitlo
: we insult our own people when
take a position that makes equals
- those who destroy all evidence al
rights of religious worship.
Now as to reasons for the lack
= development Of Russian trade: q
hest authorities tell me that Russ
fDIy tyY,n