Evening star., 1933-10-22
Relations With Russia.

Relations With Russia.
President Roosevelt has invited the
Soviet government to send . represent
ative TO Washington to discuss with
him personally "all questions outstand-
ing" between Russia and the United
States. The invitation has been ac-
eepted. and M. Litvinoff, Soviet COM
missar for foreign affairs. will soon
arrive here for the purpose in ques-
tion. The White House emphasizes
that the extension Of the invitation to
Russia does not Of itself denote recog-
milton: but it Is equally obvious that
NJ Litvinoff's trip will constitute the
first step leading to recognition, and
no less patent that this Is President
Roosevelt's expectation.
The President is actuated by a de-
sire to "end the present abnormal re-
lations between the hundred and
twenty-five million people Of the United
States and the hundred and sixty
million people Of Russia" Mr.. Roose-
welt does not consider "the serious
difficulties that have created this
anomalous situation insoluble" DIM
culties between great nations" he says,
"can be removed only by frank. friendly
conversations" President Kalinin re-
plies in correspondingly cordial terms,
suggesting that the abnormal situa-
ton" unfavorably affects not only the
interests Of the two states concerned,
"but the general international situa-
ton, increasing the element OF dis
quiet, complicating the process of con-
solidating world peace and encouraging
forces tending to disturb that peace"
Giving fresh evidence Of his cour-
a6e0w Willingness " experiment in
directions others have abjured, Mr..
Roosevelt does not hesitate to con-
slider breaking with the policy consist
emily upheld by his four immediate
predecessors-Presidents Wilson, Hard
ing. Coolidge and Hoover. Some of the
Roosevelt mentions as having hitherto
prevented recognition still exist
The American position, in SUBJ
stance, has been that the Soviet govern
ment should compensate private citi-
zens of the United States for property
confiscated, should acknowledge the in
debtedness owing by Russia to the Gov
ernment Of the United States, and,
finally should prevent propaganda d.
rected toward overthrow of our form
OF government.
The position Of the Soviet Union in
answer to these arguments has been
that there are counterclaims against the
United States because Of the invasion"
OF Russian territory by American troops
the Archangel expedition of sorry
memory without a declaration Of war.
The Soviet has further maintained that
propaganda here is the work of the
Third International and not of the
Russisu governmental rather tenuous
plea.
Latter day American clamor in favor
Of recognition has been based primarily
on the trade advantages said to be at
the disposal Of our industry and agri-
culture II recognition is accorded. There
Is talk Of "a billion dollars worth Of
American orders" on NJ. Stains desk
awaiting the day when Russia and the
United States shake diplomatic hands.
I" the present state of business that
alluring prospect merits consideration.
But millions of Americans with old
fashioned devotion to the ideals and
institutions of the United States re-
member something that President Cool
idge said when Russian recognition was
proposed to the effect that desirable as
trade advantages are, he was opposed
to "bartering American principles for
them" That thought will be upper
most in the minds of our people when
the time comes to decide upon Soviet
recognition one way or the other.
None Of the difficulties" to which
President Roosevelt refers exceeds in
importance the question of Communist
propaganda. Is the Soviet government
willing and able to guarantee that sub
versive agitation will not be carried on
here under the auspices Of Russian
embassy and consular officials? Other
nations which recognized the Com
munist government underwent some
disagreeable propaganda experiences.
There would have to be cast-iron assur-
ances that the United States Is to be
preserved from such incidents before
the country would feel it wise to estab-
lish official intercourse with the pres
ent masters of Russia. On no other
score, in President aooseyelt's words,
are existing difficulties" insoluble.
Certainly the ancient question of the
Russian debts, both czarist and post
imperial. is no longer a barrier to
Soviet American relations. The acid
test of recognition's desirability must be
. solemn undertaking by the Moscow
authorities to abstain from propaganda
designed to undermine those ideals Of
society and free government which the
American people hold sacred and in
alienable.
For the great masses Of the Russian
people there Is in this country nothing
but the friendliest Of sentiment. We
have no quarrel with the system of
government which the Russians prefer
or accept for themselves. But we do
not want the kind under which they