The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-10-21
Opinion in Capital SoIidIy
Behind President in
Crucial Conference.
SOURCE OF VAST TRADE
Litvinoff to Talk Over Rus
Sia's Debts When
He Arrives.
Copyright. 1888. by United Press,

Copyright 1888 BY United Press
WASHINGTON, Oct. 21.-
Formidable obstacles in the
path of American recognition
of Soviet Russia will confront
President Roosevelt and Max
i'm Litvinov, Russian foreign
minister when they meet in
the White House to bring the
two nations together after
sixteen years of diplomatic
estrangement.
Political experts generally expect
ed the obstacles 10 be overcome and
recognition to result from their Sc
rieS of talks.
The 57-year-old, astute Russian
diplomat, who once proposed total
world disarmament and who also
has strengthened his country's po-
sition by negotiating a series of
nonaggression pacts with potential
European enemies, is expected here
within two weeks.
The goal is the exchange of am
bassadors between Washington and
Moscow and the stimulation Of
profitable trade between two of the
worlds most populous and richest
nations.
Obstacles Are Listed
The obstacles they must overcome
are:
l. Financial claims Russia's
obligations to the United States are
of three kinds: Cd The defaulted
S187 900 900 loan made rom the
United States treasury to the Ker-
ensky regime. ~ Some $50 000, 900
of miscellaneous notes given Amer
lean bankers by the czarist govern
ment. 80 Individual claims of
American citizens for property con-
f1scated by Russia, totaling about
$500, OOO,OOO
2. Communist propaganda in the
United States. The Soviet Union,
it is understood, is prepared to
negotiate an agreement with the
United States that both powers I'M
dertake not to interfere in the
others domestic affairs.
Trade rcIo finnc ie
! possible that during Mr. Litvinoffs
visit, the United States and Russia
may negotiate a commercial treaty.
May Sober Japanese
Vastly important repercussions
throughout the world were foreseen
from the probable resumption of
diplomatic relations One was a
SOLDERING influence on japanese ex-
pansion in the far east.
With the same bold approach that
has characterized his tackling of do
mestic problems Mr.. Roosevelt
wrote a note to President Kalinin
of Russia, suggesting that the Soviet
Union and the United States ex-
plore the path toward recognition
He did not promise recognition.
| But he suggested the talks would
indicate q sincere desire to reach
satisfactory solution of the prob
lens involved"
Precautions Are Taken
The text of the Roosevelt-Kalinin
correspondence was made public
last night at the White House.
Mr.. Roosevelt, meeting more than
two hundred correspondent in his
large, oval-shaped Office, read the
them informally.
He made it plain that the ex-
change of letters did not in itself
constitute recognition, but was
merely an approach
So tremendous was the news Mr..
Roosevelt impaired that unprece-
denied precautions were taken to
prevent any correspondent from
having an advantage. Doors of the
presidential office were closed until
the President had read the messages
commented upon them, and an
sVered other questions.
Offers Tremendous Market
Mr. Roosevelts momentous an
nouncement meant that two Of the
most powerful nations, the United
States with 100000 people and
the soviet union with 10000, 900,
were preparing to forget their pre-
elections for political-social Sys-
TENS in common effort to promote
peace and prosperity.
Trade experts declare Russia Of
fers tremendous market for
American goods. In 1881, despite
the depression, Russia purchased
products of American farms and
factories worth S1110OO 900.
But by 1892, this trade had
shrunk to $4,000, 900, one-tenth the
previous amount.
Soviet sources said this shrinkage
was due to the fact Russian pur-
chasers could not obtain satisfac-
tory credits here because American
bankers and business men, in times
of depression, were reluctant TO Of
fer credit TO country which the
United States did not recognize.
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