Evening star., 1933-11-18
Recognition Of Russia.

kec0gn1L10n OF nuSsld'
After a lapse of sixteen years Amer
ica and Russia have become friends
again. The United States has formally
recognized the Soviet, as the result Of
ten days of personal negotiations be-
tween President Roosevelt and Maxim
Iityinoff, foreign commisSar OF the
Moscow government. Normal diplo-
matte relations" are to be established
and ambassadors exchanged without
delay. william G. Bullitt, special as
sistant to the Secretary Of State, who
initiated recognition discussions with
Mr.. Litvinof at the London conference
last Summer, has been designated as
the first American envoy to the Soviet.
The elaborate exchange Of communi-
cations between the President and Mr..
Iitvinoff discloses that virtually all
outstanding Russian American ques-
tions have been adjusted, with the ex-
ception Of claims and counterclaims,
which are TO be left to the courts, and
viii prolong his stay in Washington.
In preamble to the communications
the President and the Russian foreign
minister Jointly voice the hope that
"the relations now established between
our peoples may forever remain normal
and friendly and that our nations
henceforth may cooperate for their
mutual benefit and for the preservation
of the peace of the world
Abroad, especially In Toxic, special
significance doubtless will be read into
the passage about world peace But it
involves, in fact, no commitment that
the United States would not undertake
with any government genuinely bent
upon maintenance Of amicable tnterna-
tional relations. The statement dis
tinctly implies no American obligation
to take sides with Russia in her Far
Eastern controversies with Japan. Any
Interpretation to the contrary Is pal
pably wide Of the mark. There Is no
entangling alliance with Russia.
though many Of them may deplore rec.
ognition under any conditions-have
cause to congratulate President Roose-
welt for having driven a thoroushgoing
bargain. Particularly on the paramount
issue Of Communist propaganda. Every
thing has been obtained that Mr.. Lit
vinof could be expected 20 concede.
He pledges that 1t viii be ''the fixed
policy" Of the Soviet 10 refrain "scru-
pulously" from any and all sorts Of sub
versive agitation In the United States.
The Russian spokesman obviously has
ths Third International, the political
agency Of the Soviet government, In
mind, when he guarantees that "all or
ganizations Of the government or under
its direct or indirect control, including
organizations In receipt Of any flnan-
cial assistance from It," shall be re
strained" from any act. overt or
covert" designed to undermine Amer
lean institutions. As matters stand, IL
is case Of putting trust In Russias
promises. The American people earn
estly hope that these will not turn out
to be as illusory as the promises the
Soviet has given to some other eoun-
tries.
Other features OF the Roosevelt
LitvtnoH agreement concern: ID
Unrestricted religious freedom for
American nationals Of any creed within
Soviet Russia. (2) Rights of Ameri-
cans who may be arrested in Russia
to claim the protection of our consul
lar ofncias. CD A clear definition of
economic espionage" a. Provision
for later adjudication of all claims and
counterciai1ns between the two govern
ments Of their nationals, and (5) Re-
nunciation by the Soviet of any and all
claims arising out Of American military
operations In Siberia, reference to the
allied Archangel expedition against the
BolSheviks, on account Of which the
Soviet once claimed several hundred
million dollars from the United States.
Finally, with regard to the CzariSt
and Kerensky debts due the United
States, the agreement expresses the
mutual hope Of a speedy and salts
factory solution" after further discus
sions.
Conspicuous by It's absence Is any
reference to trade and credits. These
evidently are considered to be extra
neous questions which do not come with
in the purview Of an understanding
concerned with diplomatic relations.
Russian purchases In the United States,
on which pro-recognitionist built such
rosy hopes, and methods for financing
them, are evidently to be taken up as
ordinary matters of business.
Russo-American history now enters
upon new era. President Roosevelt
has done everything humanity possible
to make sure that the United States en-
barks upon IL with adequate safeguards.
II the communist authorities abide
faithfully by their plghted word-and
there Is every disposition here to expect
that tiley vill-the future should hold
much Of good for the peoples Of both
great countries, an aggregate spmmun-
ity OF nearly three hundred 5million
souis.