RUSSIAN TRADE

Evening Post, Volume CII, Issue 38, 13 August 1921, Page 14

RUSSIAN TRADE

SOUGHT BY.GERMANS

A despatch from Hamburg, dated 26th June, states;—lt is the purpose of the German shipping, industrial, and banking interests- here to take the initiative in carrying on business with Russia, An important step in this direction already has been taken by the organisation of the German-Russian Transport Company, in which tho Soviet Government officially holds a one-half interest, and which will exercise general supervision of rail and watei traffic between German ports ant) Russian destinations.

The new organisation has only a nominal capital of 100,000 marks, and for the present contemplates using the services of only German traffic experts who will serve the Soviet Government in an advisory capacity. Russia, by the, terms of the agreement, assumes the payment of all transportation and operating charges connected with the forwarding of' commodities bought for Russian account in Germany, ', WILL ACCEPT MOSCOW i GOVERNMENT. ' ] A leading member oi the Warburg banking house told the Associated Press that German commercial interests purposed to take ■ the Moscow regime as a Government in fact. He said he believed' the forced disappearance of Lenin and Trotsky from the Government would re-, suit in unspeakable chaos. " We believe Russia is becoming more liberal, and are not inclined to share the opinion prevailing in many quarters that the country is being run by radicals," the banker continued. " The Russian problem is so intricate that a solution of it is impossible of achievement by any one Power, or by private groups. ' It calls for co-ordination and international collaboration." ■ ■ The banker said he firmly believed that the task of ".winning back Russia" could not be accomplished without' the active participation of . German brains and technical-skill. OPTIMISM AS TO EARLY TRADING. At the offices of the Hamburg-Ameri-can' line, which controls the other half Interest in t?Te new German-Russian Transport Company, the correspondent found a feeling of optimism with respect to early prospects for an active resumption of trading between Germany and Russia. . ' . ■ < Four of the largest German locomotive builders aie now engaged in work on the first instalment of engines ordered by the Russians. The Soviet 1 .Government has made an ample advance payment on. these locomotives, it is said, and delivery isi expected to take place in August. J ' ' ':'. \ Among; firms which have booked orders from' Russia are !the Krupps, the Borsing Company (of Berlin), the Hensohell Company (of Cassol), and the Vulkan < Works. ;.'.., TO SEEK .BEDS FOR SHIPPING. Although the Hamburg-American line is, the only German concern represented in the new Genrian^Russian transportation company, the latter, it was said,would freely invite competitive bids from all the German shipping lines. Water routes to Petrograd, or by way of Reval and Riga, will be the only ( ones considbred for the time feeing. Overland transit is blocked, it was added, as a result of the Polish Government's failure to. negotiate a trade treaty with the Soviet Government.' Until an agreement is Reached, both Germany and Russia will devote their 1 efforts to improving water connection between them.' X Petrograd harbour is to- be improved 'so as to permit the entering of big freight steaniersr The docking facilities there also are to be increased. . N - ■ .-'..'