Evening star., 1933-08-08
Diplomatic Gains by Russia
Studied as Factor in Trade

Recent diplomatic gains by the Rus
sian Soviet have turned attention to-
ward the desire of that country to es-
tablish favorable trade conditions with
other nations. 1t is felt that If the
Communist state can make the grade as
good neighbor. it is better for the
world that unnecessary restrictions
should be removed. British relations
are discussed and the recent recogni-
tiCn by Spain is considered in its bear
ing on prospects in Latin American
countries.
An attitude Of aloofness is suggested
by the New York Sun, with the state
ment that 1.-The British-Soviet trade
agreement was not reached without eX-
pressions of grave dissatisfaction by
men in public life" That paper quotes
Lord Newton's statement that Soviet
relations with the British government
had been marked by deliberate and cal
culated swindling" and recalls that
the MARQUIS of Londonderry stated that
during the period Of the British-So-
Wet trade agreement Great Britain
bought from Russia a great deal more
than Russia bought from Great Brit
ain: that the Soviet was using the Ster-
ling credits obtained from sales here to
nnaNce puICilhSc Vi eooN.. " -.
countries. - The Sun concludes that to
be good neighbcrs with the commu-
nistic despot1sm is not easy
A different point of view is presented
by The Birmingham Age-Herald. with
the statement that "for a long While
Russia has exhibited capacity for SELF
restraint and negotiation which merit
the praise OF all thoughtful Onlookers.
That paper especially points out tnat
"Moscow's refusel to go to war with
japan, despite the severest provocatlon,
proves conclusively that Russia knows
what it is doing. and that happens 10
mean 1t ought to be powerful! factor
for stability" The Age-Herald also
offers the opinion: The position which
Russia now occupies would have seemed
impossible a short time ago 1t could
be considerably weakened by an internal
breakdown of some sort. Yet that can
scarcely be looked for. The present
government is firmly seated and 1t has
at its command great and magnlflcent
army. Moreover the Soviet leadership
has come to evince a fine grasp OF dl-
plomacy."
of American citizens in Russia Is con-
cerned" thinks the Topeka Daily
Capital. 1--WE certainly can handle that
better if we are dealing with the So
Wet government as legitimate and re-
sponsible than as an outsider. Inc
Capital feels that the Soviet, at the
London conference, "furthered the
possibility of recognition by our Gov
ernment." and in commenting on the
American attitude that Russia owes
us money which it refuses to pay"
directs attention to the position taken
~, ofhor foraiCr Q0V6rnmentS
Belief that Litvinoff lis developing
a policy almost as nationalistic as that
followed by the Russian Empire. but
far less aggressive" and that 1t seeks
to extend MoScOW's influence through
commercial agreements" Is voiced by
the San Antonio Express, with the con-
clusion that Moscow and washington
soon may adjust their differences, II the
commercial credits recently granted the
Russian official trade agency at New
York shall open a large market for
American commodities throughout the
territory within the Soviet Union" The
Des Moines Register emphasizes the fact
that encouragement to our nationals
to trade with Russia" comes through
the r. F. c. and that "for the first
time we find ourselves at least ap-
preaching the fairly common European
governmental practice Of guaranteeing
credits extended to Russia"
Behind the scenes" records the
Scranton Times, there is scramble
for Soviet orders. England and France
have eased credit terms-for fear the
United States will make better terms.
Russia has some big orders up its sleeve,
New York believes. For one thing, the
Soviet government plans to cease doing
business with Germany under Nazi RUE.
Last year Russia bought $l10,000,0 900
worth of German goods" The Times
also mentions the fact that Spain Is
the twentieth nation to recognize Rus
ds,s that Aedco has pneGaolaaly acted,