Evening star., 1933-11-05
TRADE WAR BAN
SOUGHT BY SOVIET
Litvinov Would Sign Up U. S.
in Economic Pact of
Non.Aggression.
BY CONSTANTINE BROWN.

lTc S!SIldtule VI Oll-d5si Cos-oAi paw
with a much wider scope than those
hitherto signed with other countries Is
expected to be one of the first results
OF diplomatic recognition which the
United States is expected to extend to
Russia in the course of this month.
Maxim Litvinov. the Russian com
ulisSar for foreign affairs, is expected
to arrive in Washington Tuesday eve
ming. Although there is no official
schedule for him, with the exception of
an official luncheon at the White House.
it Is stated ir we'll Informed quarters
that the dynamic foreign secretary OF
the Scviets will not waste much time
in useless ar1 --rotracted conversations.
The soviet government is reported ~
have made up its mind to agree TO tn9
propositions of the President regardlng
the outstanding questiorS Between the
two countries. The matter OF debts is
no longer considered of great ccnse-
ouence, and can be settled wltnln
short time, because of the desire oy
both parties to renew friendly re.a-
tionS.
Economic Phase Considered.
But what is considered more impor-
tant than these questions Is the con-
clusicn of political and economic non
aggression pact between the two coun-
tries.
In such a pact the Soviet govern
ment is represented as desiring TO oe-
fine not only military but economic
aggression.
"a a
which might prevent economic 1rlctlons
in the future is Of a greater importance
than a military non-aggression pact.
The underlying reason for most wars,
1t is said, is economic rlvaHleso ..
Developments in recent years nave
proved that an economic war can pe
more deadly and more coStly-ln the
long run-than an actual war between
the armed forces of two nations.
one of the principal objectives the
London Conference OF last Summer
might have attained was the regulation
of economic relations to prevent re-
taliatory measures which have ham,
pered world commerce. The time was
apparently not ripe for such peace
and the conference failed.
Competition Expected.
The American Government started
immediately after the London failure
to negotiate reciprocal tariff agreements
with individual countries, but 1t has not
net with much success as yet. The
Russians realize that, while the posi-
bility of an armed conflict between the
two countries is extremely remote, the
chances exist for an economic competl-
ton for years to come.
The Soviet Republics may in the
course of years develop their industry
and agriculture to such an extent as TO
become the most serious competitors OF
the United States in the world markets
Looking to the future, the Russians
desire to avoid as much as possible such
a conflict and it is the intention of
those familiar with the situation to dis
cuss the possibility of an immediate
conclusion Of a n-aggression pact to
embrace the possibilities of military
and economic conflict
President Roosevelt defined last April
what, in his opinion, constitutes an
aggression. He stated that an ag-
gressor is the nation which sends its
armed forces to invade the territory
of another nation. He made certain
reservation regarding existing treaties
and international obligations.
The Presidents definition had only
1ukewarm reception at Geneva, but the
Russian government seems to have
adopted it with certain amplifications
Soviet Definition.
The Soviet definition of an aggressive
nation is the nation which declares war
against another; invades with armed
forces, even without declaration of
war, the territory OF another state;
attacks by armed land, sea or air forces,
even without declaration of war, the
territory, naval vessels or aircraft OF
another state; blockades the coast Of
the ports of another state, and aids
the formation Of armed bands on the
state and refuses despite demands on
the part of the attacked State to take
all possible measures on its own terri
tory to deprive these bands Of any aid
and protection.
There is no substantial difference be-
tween the Presidents and the Soviet'S
definition Of an aggressor. The Soviets,
with an eye on Japan, have gone one
step further than the President.
But it is believed that in the same
way military aggression has been de-
fined, economic aggression should be
defined, too.
Quotas in Force.
There are at present in the world
number of trade restrictions quotas ana
embargoes which are taken by different
states to the detrment of others. Some
of them are considered justtfable, but
many of them are not.
It is understood that a definition OF
an economic aggression might be made
as soon as possible and, in view of the
economic potentialities of both coun-
tries, pact of economic non-aggres-
sion would be incorporated in the pact
Of military non-aggreSsion.
At present there is no such pact be-
tween any two nations in the world.
The nearest approach to it is the
Franco Russian treaty made in Paris
in November. 1882. Article of that
pact stated that each of the high con-
tracing parties undertakes, during the
period the present treaty is in force,
to participate in no international agree
ments which would have the practical
consequence of prohibiting purchases
to be made Of the other party. or the
sale of goods, or the granting of credits
to the other. and to take no measures
which would result in excluding the
other party from any kind Of participa
ton in its foreign trade"
But the Russians are reported to go
q step further and bring about a defl-
milton of what actually is economic ag-
gression and elaborate an economic
non-aggression treaty as clearly as the
military non-aggression treaty. .