Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1948-02-10
The Memoirs Of cordelI Hull
Neutrality Act Not Applied in Finnish War
To Avoid Making Russia Legal Belligerent

Ambassador Steinhardt in Moscow
replied that we would be glad to
issue one II we could have assurances
that In future the Soviet govern
ment would issue similar documents
to American consular officers de-
string to enter or leave the Soviet
Union. The Soviets refused. Stem
hardt then suggested that when
the vice CONSUL arrived In New
York, his baggage should be scratched
by custom officials.
This was accordingly done.
Thereupon, on December z, Ambas-
sador Oumansky telephoned Assist
ant Secretary Messersmith and pro-
tested vigorously. He was informed
that the baggage Of the vice con-
sui had been examined because the
baggage Of American consuls en-.
tering or leaving Russia was exam.
ined, and 1t was our practice to ap.
ply the principle OF reciprocity.
Insists on Reciprocity.
Oumansky commended that ques-
tons Of this kind should be handled
on the most-favored-nati prin-
ciple. This meant that the soviets
would treat our consuls as well as
they treated the consuls of any
other country. and we should treat
their consuls as well as we treated
the consuls Of any other country.
The Ambassador was informed.
however, that this government had
handled such matters for many
years on the basis Of reciprocity,
meaning that we would treat Soviet
consuls as well as the Soviets treat
ed our consuls.
Oumansky thereupon asked us to
ascertain, on his behalf, whether
his government was accustomed to
examine the baggage of our consuls
entering the Soviet Union. In re-
Spouse to our request, Ambassador
Steinhardt sent us a list Of such In
stances.
Since the President was interested
in this exchange, sent him mem.
orandum prepared by Messersmith.
On December "a he replied IN Q
memorandum saying:
your memorandum Of December
18th In regard to Soviet restrictions
against American citizens connected
with the Diplomatic Corps Is ex-
cellent, and I think we should match
every Soviet annoyance by q SIM
liar annoyance here against them.
Rudeness Ruled Out.
when 1t comes to the larger
questions of downright rudeness on
the part of Stain, Kalinin or Molo.
TOW we cannot afford to repay such
rudeness with equivalent rudeness
over here. But I am inclined to
think that the day may come when
it will be advisable to bring the
situation to the direct attention Of
Oumansky. He can well be told
that the failure Of his government
to answer my kilograms regarding
bombardment of citizens and the
failure of his government to let our
Ambassador communicate with the
City Of Flint tend to show such q
complete disregard for the ordinary
politeness and amenities between
civilized governments that the
President honestly wonders whether
the Soviet government considers 1t
worthwhile to continue diplomatic
relations. We need 60 no further
than this point but it would put q
certain burden on the Soviet gov
eminent ITSELF"
We got this idea across to the
Russians, but there was no swerv-
ing them from the attitude Of
suspicion toward all foreigners they
had inherited from many genera
tons of Russian officials.
Although we did not hesitate to
speak up to Russia when the occa-
sion required, I still made it basic
policy to retain as good relations
with the Soviet Union as possible,
and never to give her the slightest
impression that we were either a
present or potential enemy. The
door was always wide open to
friendship, and I was willing to meet
Russia at least half way.
Copyright, 194S, by North American
Newspaper Mliance)