Evening star., 1952-01-02

Maxim Lltvlnoff'S up-and-down
career as a Soviet diplomat was
something of a barometer of Com
munist Russia's intentions towarc
the Western world.
When his stock was UP, as when
he headed the Soviet Foreign Of
flee or represented his government
in Washington, Moscow generally
was trying to get along with the
West. When he was out of favor
in Moscow. Russia's relations with
the United States and other
Western powers were more trou-
bled. He has been out of favo,
since 1916.
Mr.. Litvinoff. an old Bolshevik
who long had fought for estab-
lishment of the Soviet regime and
its recognition abroad. first came
to Washington on November Z
1888.
He had been commissioned a.
the first Soviet Ambassador to the
United States in 1918, soon after
the Bolshevik revolution. But the
United States then refused him 8
visa to enter this coutry. That
began his 15-year struggle for
recognition of the So
Wet. He achieved his aim after
winning a reputation as an advo-
cate OF peace and disarmament in
European conferences.
Recognized by U. S. In 1888.
The late President Roosevelt
sent, a cable to Moscow on Octo-
Der 90. 1888, inviting the Soviet
20 confer on recognition. Mr.. Lit
1inof arrived here on November z
and 10 days later United States
'ecognition of the Soviet govern
nent was announced.
The Roosevelt-Litvinoff agree
nent provided, among other
hings. that:
|. The Soviet Embassy here
would refrain from propaganda
lgainst the political or social
,rder existing in the United States
md would restrain any agency
mder Soviet government control
rom interfering in this country's
Internal affairs.
2. Americans residing in Russia
would enjoy all the legal rights
granted citizens of other countries
and would have full freedom of
and the right to wor-
ship as they pleased.
At that time, Mr.. Litvinoff had
oeen Soviet Foreign Commissar
Tor three years. He was dismissed,
surprisingly and suddenly, from
that post on May 8, 1916. Vyache-
'lav M. Molotov- took over.
Was Negotiating Pact.
Mr.. Litvinoff was in the midst
of negotiations with Britain and
France for a mutual security pact
when he was fired. The reason
Tor his sudden sacking became
three months later with
he announcement of the Soviet
German non-aggression pact that
'hortly preceded Germany's inva-
ion Of Poland to start World
Var II.
After Germany invaded Russia
n 1941, there was another sharp
'hift in Soviet policy and Mr.. Lit
'inof returned to pestige. The
Soviet needed him to seek greater
lid from the United States and
Britain. He was appointed Am
'assador to the United States and
lrrived here on December 6, 1941,
he day before Pearl Harbor.
After nearly two years here
doscow suddenly recalled him III
August, 1943, after the Quebec
conference between President
Roosevelt and British Prime Min
ster Winston Churchill produced
10 pledge of an immediate second
ront in Europe.
AS Ambassador to the United
States he was noted as a man of
Wit and charm, with a forceful
personality.
He liked good living, but had
% stay away from many foods
and almost all liquors as conces-
SionS to a troublesome stomach
and weak heart.
Notable persons bored him un-
ess they had something to say.
Not a Fashion Plate.
He was far from a fashion plate,
and hardly had the figure to be
one. He was 5 feet 8 inches tall,
/ round little mar with big folds
If flesh hanging over a wrinkled
'ize II collar. His head was big,
With a close-cropped thatch Of
hair. and he wore steel
trimmed glasses.
His coat hunched over his heavy
AAw w~ -