The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1933-11-21
RUSSIAN RECOGNITION AND
AMERICAN SAPS

There is nothing surprising in the tact
that foreign countries regard Uncle Sam as
an old dunderbead and at least majority
of the people of this country as so many
saps. Foreign countries have had sufficient
experience in the past to substantlate their
views of this government and its people;
and there is no indication that the country
is going to adopt policy that will change
the views of foreigners. The recognition OF
Russia is a case in point.
The Communists sought recognition Tor
political and commercial reasons. Iney
had everything to gain and nothing to lose,
regardless of the outcome of the step. They
gain political prestige by coming to terms
with the United States, but a much more
valuable consideration is the fact that the
wav is opened up for this country to be
fleeced some more by the Russians in trade
relations. Our American saps, not salts
fed with the loss of hundreds of millions
of money, loaned to Russia before and dur
ing the World War, and represented in
part by American investments in Russia
confscated by the Bolsheviks, are now
proposing to enter upon policy of trading
with the Communists on cash supplied
either by the people or the government OF
this country.
David Lawrence, one of the most ex-
perienced and fair-minded observers IN
Washington, says of Russian recognition:
Russia gets recognition-and the Uni
ted States gets an opportunity to lend
money to. the Soviet government.
Mr.. Lawrence also makes the statement
that the assurances exchanged between
President Roosevelt and Litvinof are Tor
political effect, both here and abroad.
Mr.. Lawrence also says that the Wash
ington administration is trying to open up
the Russian market to American manufac-
tured goods and farm products; but what
is the Russian market worth if the stuff
must be sold to the Communists on credit
or to be paid for with cash loaned them by
this country? As business proposition
the proposal is preposterOus. Here is
customer who does not pay-has not paid
for yearS-a customer of such record and
reputation that there is no reason to sup
pose ne, will pay in the future-and it IS
proposed to do business with this customer,
put hissname on the books again, sell him
severalehundred million dollars worth Of
goods on several years time, or loan him
the money to pay for the goods.
The newspapers have been full Of Rus
sian recognition and WashingtOn's plans
for doing business with the Communists.
The big idea is to do business with them.
However, it is frankly admitted that the
Bolsheviks have no cash with which to
make purchases in this country and that
anything sold them will have to be sold on
credit or be paid for with money loaned
by this government or some of its citizens.
The talk is about doing business on seven
years time. 1t has also been suggested
that the RFC loan money to the Bolsheviks
with which to buy American manufactured
goods and farm products 1t is certain this
country can do very little business with
Russia unless it extends credit or loans
cash. And it is freely admitted by the
American sponsors of recognition and the
restoration of trade relations that if The
Bolsheviks should have a spasm of honest
intentions in the future and undertake