Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1933-04-23
.L|TvNOFF SCORES
BRITISH EMBARGO
Step Poor Preparation for
World Economic Farley,
Statement Says.


signed statement today criticized Eng
land for its stand in the Anglo Russian
trade disruption.
"Such measures" the statement said,
hardly appear q proper preparation
for the World Economic Conference, one
Of the problems Of which is to regulate
and normalize foreign trade on world
scale"
In one Of his rare written statements
to the press, the Soviet foreign ,om-
missar reviewed the basis of the Soviet
governments external trade policy, but
sedulously refrained from mentioning
Great Britain by name. Indirectly, but
Enthusiastically, however, he set forth
Moscow's attitude toward recent trade
developments between the two countries,
as well as the present position regard
ing trade with all other countries in the
light Of the Soviet.British affair.
Neither trade growth nor stability
Is possible" he said, IF the slightest
friction or political clash between gov
ernments might dislocate that trade, or
II the government assume the right to
liberate their citizens or commercial en-
terprises from engagements contracted
In commercial agreements or treaties"
Voices Soviet Stand.
In diplomatic language, M. Litvinof
voiced the Soviet governments deter
mination to adhere to its principle Of
avoiding purchases from those countries
placing restrictions on Soviet exports.
He also warned that it would result
m
adopting such measures, but that reduc-
ton of Soviet exports would contribute
to general world crisis because of this
country's consequent lessened ability to
buy abroad.
On the other hand, the minister con-
tinued, If given favorable conditions,
Soviet Russia could increase its i'm
ports to dimensions which inevitably
would have q salutary influence on
stopping the world crisis"
The statement, which was signed in
red pencil, M. Ltvinoff," was handed
out at the foreign Office It was an
nounced it would be published in Soviet
Sunday morning papers.
Text Of Statement.
The statement read:
Russian external trade policy is
based on firm foundations which have
not been altered since the beginning Of
our foreign trade, and which we do not
propose to alter in the future.
This policy Is based on:
81. Economic intercourse between
countries of the world, and particularly
between major powers irrespective of So
cial and political systems obtaining in
them.
20. Advantages accruing to each
country from trade with other countries
and confidence between the contracting
proved by the fulfllment of CONNER
cial and financial obligations.
20. Absence of political upheavals in
relations between trading countries as
an inherent condition of stability Of
trade relations.
-. Liberty for official representatives
OF trading countries to fulfill the normal
functions necessary for trade.
IS. Lawful intercourse between gov
ernmental representatives and citizens
Of trading countries.
IS. Subsection Of foreigners to the
jurisdiction Of countries where they are
resident.
Imports Are Elastic.
Elasticity Of imports Is an exclusive
popularity of the Soviet Union.
/ Regarding the elasticity of our i'm
ports, it should be borne in mind that
not only their very wide expansion, but
also their contraction. Is possible.
"Our interest in imports decreases an
nually. We can already, without detri-
ment to the tempo Of our construction,
reduce our imports, and We are natu-
rally doing this, and will continue to do
so proporttonately with the reduction OF
our exports.
I'VE are CONVINCED not only that those
countries which may compel us to re-
duce our imports will expose themselves
to the greater loss, but also that such a
reduction will react adversely upon the
trend Of the general world crisis.
Tomorrow Is the fifteenth anniver-
sary Of our foreign trade monopoly.
system. which from our viewpoint has
entirely justified itself. We know this
system serves as an object Of envy or
the part Of other states, and that some
of them even attempt to introduce It
partially at home.
"At one time 1t was feared abroad
that the Soviet government would utilize
the monopoly In foreign trade for poIit-
ical ends. These fears, however, have
proved quite base1ess and have never
been substantiated.
1.-THE Soviet government has had deal
ings with friendly, semi-friendly and
hostile countries, and even with those
countries with whom 1t had no official
relations, but by its nature foreign
trade demands q certain legal frame
work, whose absence affects its develop
ment.
Demand Lack Of UpheavaL
Naturally, trade Is developed for
preference with countries which have
contributed toward the creation Of the
necessary conditions therefor. Trade
development and trade stability demand
q certain calm and lack Of upheaval.
Neither trade development nor trade
stability Is possible If the slightest fric-
ton or political clash between gov
ernments might at any time dislocate
trade, or If the governments assume the
right to nberate their citizens or COM
mercial enterprises from engagements
and contracts in commercial agree
ments or treaties.
"Such measures hardly appear q
proper preparation for the world eco
nomic conference, one Of the problems
Of which is to regulate and normalize
foreign trade on world SCALE"