The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-11-18
SATURDAY. NOV. 10. 1898.
AMERICA AND RUSSIA

N day sensation for the publc-perhaps not
even that
For several months the public has known
that diplomatic recognition was inevitable
American public opinion and world events
moved more rapidly than the American gov
eminent. Therefore, the actual event was
pretty well discounted in advance
There are very few surprises in the ex-
change Of official documents by which normal
relations are resumed.
The pledge which Russia now gives to re-
frain from propaganda here is the same pledge
she has. been willing to give for several years.
Russia obviously is sincere in this because she
is intelligent enough to know that the only
effective Russian propaganda abroad-for good
or Ills the success or failure Of her economic
experiment at home. Just as American
mechanical technique has been taken over in
part by Russia, so Russia's experience in econ
omic planning has influenced to some degree
American planning. This is as it should be-
We learn, as individuals an dnations, not only
from our own experience but also from the
failures and successes of others.
AS for propaganda in the generally accepted
sense, the two governments properly have
agreed to refrain from interference Those
few Americans who still are under the misap-
prehension that Russia has been substituting
supversive propaganda in this country doubt
less will consider this an important diplomatic
victory for us. But the fact seems to be that
there are more Americans who still are trying
to overthrow the Soviet government than
Russians who are attempting to destroy the
United States government.
So Russia gains more from this mutual
agreement than the United States Under this
agreement the United States can not aid mill
tary intervention against the Soviets as we
once did; nor can the United States govern
rnent longer permit anti-Russian plotting in
this country.
The guarantees given by Russia for re-
ligious freedom and legal justice to Americans
In Russia are not new. Such rights of aliens
long have been protected by Russian laws or
treaties. The agreement, of course, does not
pertain in any way to religious, legal or other
rights Of Russian citizens in Russia-anv more
What Russia does at home is her own affair.
and that is reciprocal. n
Again there is no surprise that the claims
and counter-claims Except from United
States intervention in Siberia to prevent
foreign partitioning of RUSSIA are left for
settlement after recognition. That is the
only way such matters can be handled It
has been our experience with Great Britain.
Mexico and other nations that Joint commits
sions often require many years to negotiate
just settlement of claims
So the public will not be shocked by the
resumption Of normal Russian American re-
lations which it has long expected
But this event will be much more than a
one-day story in the foreign offices of the
world. Diplomatic experts and foreign gov
ernments will read not only the words of these
obvious agreements; they will read between
the lines. They are concerned with the
larger significance of this event. This is
proper.
Its significance in world affairs is ire
mendouS.
In this worldwide crisis, two things are
supremely important to every government
and its people. One is trade. The other is
war or peace. And this American Russian
event is more important in terms of world
trade and world peace than anything which
has happened in long time.
For this rapprochement means much more
than mere diplomatic recognition. 1t means
more than orders and credits. so important in
building the new Russia and in aiding us to
climb out of depression.
1t means far-reaching economic and diplo-
matte cooperation.
In the two-sentence letter in which the
President extends recognition, and in the
two-sentence Litvinof reply. there is repeated
this significant hope:
That our nations may henceforth CO.
operate for their mutual benefit and for the
preservation of the peace of the world"
These are more than convention words
They are uttered solemnly by the worlds two
strongest republics at a crucial moment in
history when disarmament is blocked and
when peace is threatened in Europe and the
far east. Russia and the United States have
worked harder for disarmament and for peace
than any other powers.
Henceforth these two great friendly powers
will work together for peace. Whether their
cooperative efforts will be SUFFICIENT to pre-
serve peace in the far east and elsewhere,
against the forces of war. rests with the
future. 1t is our prayer that they will not
fail