The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1933-10-27
National Topics Interpreted


other nations, or her
Recognition form of government
of Russia without taking sides.
yet we are hearing
so much about Russia these days that
the situation can hardly go unnoticed.
Whether it is right or wrong to recog-
nize the Soviet government and estab-
lish diplomatic negotiations is rather
likely to continue long time as con-
troversial question, but there are. nu-
merous facts available that are impor-
tant to know. 1t Is from that angle
that propose to examine the question.
Obviously, economic questions enter
into international relationships what
ever the problem may be that forms
the focal point at the moment. And
economic questions are to the fore in
the present Russian equation. Out
standing proponents of Russian recog-
milton, and a great many others who
merely think they are outstanding, are
urging that the United States has suf-
fered immense loss of trade by the
long delayed recognition. They argue
also that our position of delay has af-
forded other powerful Industrial ma
tions to get there ahead of us, to gain
foothold from which it will BE diff
cult to jar them loose. Because of
recognition being withheld so long.
they contend, other early birds got the
important worm.
And another thing about which rec
ognition opponents proclaim their feel
ings is that our government has been
inconsistent in its foreign policy and
has insulted the people of great ma
tion by Withholding diplomatic rela-
lions from them. They point to that
which is true, that the United States
has recognized de facto, or revolution
made, governments throughout the
Central and South American nations
with the very minimum Of delay.
Why. they have asked, has our gov
eminent accorded recognition to gov
ernments in South America where the
individuals at their heads have been
little, If anything, more than brigands
cities)?
Much Of the propaganda fayoring
recognition has-had its origin among
individuals and groups with very def
mite and discoverable axes to grind.
Some of it has come as straight as
the crow flies from Communistic sym.
pathizers, If not from actual Commu-
nistic agents. They are master propa-
gandists. That being their job, think
1t is unfair to criticize them. though
/ disagree with them and their pur-
poses. From many students of the sit
uation, I hear only the demand that
the propagandists come out in the
open instead of seeking their ends and
aims by dirty, sneaking trickery.
Being acquainted with good deal
of the Soviet program to bring about
recognition Of their government by the
United States, / took occasion to look
up the trade records. The figures in
black and white ought to be convincing
to anyone. They fail to show that any
nation which has established diplomat
ic relations with the Soviet under the
dictator, Stain, has profited from that
recognition.
In the case of our own nation, our
commerce with the Soviet was virtual.
ly on level with
As to Trade any of the nations
pe.,,lss whose diplomatic
representatives were
accredited to the Soviet. Our trade
has gone up or has gone just about
the same as has the volume of those
nations that have recognized the Rus
sian experimental regime. This
seemed to me to establish that rec
ognition had nothing whatever to do
with the question. Further, it seemed
to prove that the other nations had
gained no advantage, no foothold, which
our own exporters had not had. To
me, the figures definitely confirmed the
statement made by the former secre-
tary of state, cambridge Colby, that
recognition had no bearing whatsoever
on trade results.
There are some social and humani,
tartan objections to recognition, how
ever, that strike me as being worth
while in view of the history of our ma
ton and the freedom of religious wor-
ship which was guaranteed by being
written into the Constitution. Presi-
dent Roosevelt got very close to the
key in his speech in New York on Oc-
tober when he suggested that no ma
ton denying its citizens the right of
religious worship could subsist long.
He intinated belief that eventually
such a government would find itself
alienated from other peoples, and If
that be true, then Mr.. Roosevelt pre-
dicted the ultimate outcome of the
system of which Stain is now the
overload. So it seems to me that in
stead of insulting the Soviet by deny.
ing, or rather, withholding, recognition,
we insult our own people when we
take a position that makes equals of
those who destroy all evidence and
rights of religious worship.
Now as to reasons for the lack Of
devniopment of Russian trade: the