The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1935-09-05
NATIONAL AFFAIRS
By FRANK P. LITSCHERT


Once more the question of the
recognition of the Soviet Russian gov
eminent has come to the forefront. II
has been placed in the limelight by the
protest of the American State Depart
ment which notified Moscow officially
that we do not like the recent activi-
ties of the Third International at the
Red capital and that evidence is at
hand which shows the Russian govern
ment has not kept its promise it would
have no part in any agitation against
the government of the United States.
The reply of the Moscow government
was what might have been expected.
1t denied having anything to do with
the Third International.
| ***
Those who were led, by pro-Russian
propaganda, to believe that our recog-
milton of the Red government would
usher in new deal in international
affairs, that Red propaganda in this
country would cease, and our trade re-
lations with the communists grow by
leaps and bounds must now know how
badly they were fooled and how sadly
they were mistaken. There is, of
course, no point in repeating the old
bromide, 81 told you So" but it must
be admitted that those who opposed
Russian recognition at the time the
treaty was drawn up, have had their
judgment vindicated in every particu-
lar.
| These anti-recognitionists pointed
out that communist agitation in the
| United States would increase rather
than decrease after Russia was recog-
nized. They predicted also that there
would be no increase in Russian
American trade brought about
through the treaty. Both of these
prophecies have turned out to be true
Anti-American agitation has not
ceased. There is proof of this not only
in communist demonstrations all over
the country but in the protest of the
government against activities of the
Third International in the very CAPT
tai of Russia. The best proof of the
fallacy that we would sell hundreds of
millions in goods to Russia after rec
ognition is furnished by the figures of
the Department of Commerce. Even
worse, the Russians are rubbing it in
by stating we cannot expect them to
buy more from US unless we extend
them credit-in other words, lend
them money with which to buy. The
trade treaty entered into by Secre-
tary Hull with the Soviet government
promises to be another big disappoint-
ment.
Of course the reply of the Russian
officials that the Soviet government
has nothing to do with the Third In
ternational is the veriest bunk. Many
of the prominent officials of the gov
eminent attended the meetings of the
International and took part in them.
Nobody in Russia dares think out
loud, or print single declaratory SEN
tence against the wishes of the gov
eminent. To do so means imprison-
ment, at least. To say then that the
Moscow government could not regu-
late the Third International so far as
its plottings against the United States
government are concerned, is the mer-
est twaddle. Some of the Moscow
apologists have said that we ought
not complain because there is great
deal of anti-Russian propaganda in
the United States. But there is no
campaign here directed to overthrow
ing the Russian government or telling
the people of that country what sort
of government it ought to have or
ought not have. 1t is purely defensive,
aimed at stopping attacks on the
American government here. The Mos
COW allies are plotting and preaching
against American constitutional gov
eminent here in America. Plotting or
agitating against the Red government
would not be permitted for moment.
This clearly shows the weakness of
the analogy.
At any rate, no matter whether we
break off diplomatic relations with
Russia or not, this alien communist
movement in America promises to be
a big issue in the campaign next
year. While both major parties may be
expected to declare against Red plot
ting against our government, the
question of Russian relations is very
likely to have an important influence
in the choice of candidates over the
country.
1t seems to be becoming more and
more apparent that the next political